Guide
Things to do in Misiones: 20 must-do plans
From Iguazú Falls to Moconá Falls, by way of the Jesuit Ruins, yerba mate and the immigrant towns.
By the editorial team of misiones.com.ar · Updated on
Quick answer
The essentials in Misiones are Iguazú Falls (a full day at least) and the Jesuit Ruins of San Ignacio Miní. With more days, add Moconá Falls, Salto Encantado, the Yerba Mate Route and the Posadas riverfront.
In Iguazú
- Walk Iguazú Falls on the Upper and Lower circuits, with footbridges between the falls.
- Reach the Devil's Throat on the Rainforest Ecological Train. It is the moment everyone remembers.
- Hike the Macuco trail in Iguazú National Park, to see the forest without footbridges or crowds.
- Watch the sunset at the Triple Frontier, with Brazil and Paraguay in front of you.
- Visit La Aripuca and the Hummingbird Garden in Puerto Iguazú.
- Go down into Wanda Mines and see amethyst geodes up close.
Jesuit Ruins and the Paraná
- Explore the ruins of San Ignacio Miní by day and come back at night for the sound and light show.
- Add Santa Ana and Loreto, wilder and quieter.
- Visit Horacio Quiroga's house in San Ignacio.
- Climb the Teyú Cuaré rock and look down on the Paraná.
- Walk the Posadas riverfront at sunset and visit the Parque del Conocimiento.
Rainforest, falls and rivers
- See Moconá Falls, the lengthwise falls of the Uruguay River, from El Soberbio.
- Stay at a lodge in the Yabotí Biosphere Reserve and go birdwatching.
- Look over Salto Encantado, a drop of more than 60 metres in the Cuñá Pirú valley.
- Cool off at Salto Tabay or Salto Capioví in summer.
Yerba, immigrants and flavours
- Follow the Yerba Mate Route in Apóstoles and visit the Juan Szychowski Museum. Everything is in the yerba mate guide.
- Go to the National Immigrant Festival at Oberá's Parque de las Naciones.
- Try Misiones food: chipá, mbeyú, reviro, sopa paraguaya and river fish. More in the food guide.
- See the ruins of Santa María la Mayor, the unfinished mission in the south.
- Drink tereré in a square or on the riverfront, like the locals do.
Places in this guide
Cataratas del Iguazú
About 275 waterfalls on the Iguazú River, in the middle of the rainforest. One of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
See details →Garganta del Diablo
The most spectacular fall at Iguazú: a horseshoe-shaped drop of about 80 metres.
See details →Ruinas Jesuíticas de San Ignacio Miní
The best-preserved Jesuit-Guaraní mission in Argentina. A UNESCO World Heritage site.
See details →Saltos del Moconá
Unique lengthwise falls: the Uruguay River drops along about 3 km.
See details →Salto Encantado
A drop of more than 60 metres in the Cuñá Pirú valley, deep in the forest.
See details →Hito Tres Fronteras
Where the Iguazú meets the Paraná: from here you see Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.
See details →Minas Wanda
Open-pit mines of amethyst, quartz and agate, with guided tours.
See details →Peñón del Teyucuaré
A rock headland over the Paraná with one of the best views in the province.
See details →Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for Misiones?
3 or 4 days cover the essentials: Iguazú Falls and the Jesuit Ruins. With a week you can add Moconá Falls, Salto Encantado and the Yerba Mate Route. There is an itinerary in the 7-day guide.
Can you visit Misiones without a car?
Yes. There are good buses between the main cities, and local buses run from Puerto Iguazú to the national park. For Moconá, the provincial parks and inland waterfalls, a car or a tour is better.
What to do in Misiones when it rains?
You can still visit the falls (you will get wet anyway). On a day of heavy rain, the Posadas museums, the Parque del Conocimiento, La Aripuca and the house museums are good options.