Itapúa · Paraguay
Living in Encarnación as a student
A riverside city on the Paraná with a public medical school accredited in Paraguay and across Mercosur. What to know before renting.
Encarnación is the capital of Itapúa department in southern Paraguay, on the Paraná River across from Posadas, Argentina. For medical students, the reference is the Facultad de Medicina of the Universidad Nacional de Itapúa (UNI): a public school accredited by ANEAES and by Mercosur's ARCU-SUR system, according to the report of 29 December 2025.
It's smaller and calmer than Ciudad del Este and known for the Costanera, the urban riverfront. Golden Keys works with students and with people looking to live or invest; we confirm what's available and at what price on WhatsApp.
Start with your university
Medicine in Encarnación
Status of each medicine program according to the ANEAES report of 29 Dec 2025.
- UNIGuide in progressUniversidad Nacional de Itapúa (Facultad de Medicina)Medicine in Encarnación: Accredited (ARCU-SUR (Mercosur)) · Accredited (National Model)Find housing near UNI
- UPAPGuide in progressUniversidad Politécnica y Artística del ParaguayMedicine in Encarnación: Enrolled for accreditation (2025 call)Find housing near UPAP
At a glance
- Location
- Southern Paraguay, capital of Itapúa, on the Paraná River across from Posadas, Argentina
- Medicine
- UNI accredited (National Model and ARCU-SUR); UPAP enrolled in the 2025 accreditation call (ANEAES, 29 Dec 2025)
- Landmark
- The Costanera, the urban riverfront on the Paraná
- Currency
- Paraguayan guaraní (Gs., code PYG)
Documentation for international residents
- ID document
- A valid passport. For residency, the migration office also asks for a birth certificate and criminal record certificates, legalized or apostilled.
- Temporary residency
- Mercosur citizens get 2 years, non-renewable (Gs. 2,230,040 as of May 2026); the general route is up to 2 years, renewable (Gs. 2,787,550). Read the step-by-step guide.
- Proof of enrollment
- For students, this speeds up rental approval.
- Guarantee or deposit
- Varies by agency and landlord. We confirm current terms on WhatsApp.
Where to live in the city
- Costanera
- The riverfront, the city's best-known area. It draws people who prioritize leisure and views, usually at a higher price.
- A few blocks from the Costanera
- Same area, off the waterfront line: often the middle ground between cost and proximity.
- Centro
- Commerce, services and concentrated urban life, well connected to the rest of the city.
Frequently asked questions
Can I study medicine in Encarnación?
Yes. The Facultad de Medicina of the Universidad Nacional de Itapúa (UNI), a public university, holds ANEAES accreditation under the National Model and Mercosur's ARCU-SUR system, according to the report of 29 December 2025; the school reports national accreditations since 2011. UPAP enrolled its Encarnación medicine program in the 2025 accreditation call. Admission rules, including for foreigners, are set by each university, so check with them directly.
Is Encarnación cheaper than Ciudad del Este?
It depends heavily on the area and type of property: near the Costanera, prices go up. Rather than an average that fits no one, we share current figures for what you're looking for on WhatsApp.
Is it worth investing near the Costanera?
It's the city's most sought-after area, and entry prices reflect that. Golden Keys helps compare options on the waterfront and a few blocks back, depending on your goal.
Sources
Public sources checked on 13 Oct 2026. Program status and migration rules change: check each source's date.