Apóstoles and Santa María la Mayor ruins

What it is

This is a full-day tour that leaves from Posadas and lasts about 12 hours. It visits Apóstoles, the capital of Argentine yerba mate, the Juan Szychowski History Museum, Azara, Tres Capones and Concepción de la Sierra. Guide, lunch and entry to the museum and to the Santa María la Mayor ruins are included.

The itinerary

1. Pickup at your hotel in Posadas and departure toward Apóstoles.
2. Panoramic tour of Apóstoles, passing the Casa del Mate and the Church of San Pedro y San Pablo.
3. Free time to visit the yerba mate exhibition at the Juan Szychowski History Museum, on the outskirts of Apóstoles.
4. Traditional lunch at the La Granja de Don Casiano restaurant in Azara.
5. Short stop in front of the Church of the Manto Sagrado de María in Tres Capones.
6. Stop to see the museum of the Concepción Jesuit mission in Concepción de la Sierra.
7. Guided visit to the Santa María la Mayor Jesuit ruins.

What you will see

Apóstoles is the first stop, known as the capital of Argentine yerba mate. The panoramic tour passes the Casa del Mate and the Church of San Pedro y San Pablo. Then you reach the outskirts of the city and the Juan Szychowski History Museum, where you can explore its large yerba mate exhibition on your own. This is the stop most focused on yerba mate on the route.

After lunch in Azara, the route continues to Tres Capones, where there is a short stop in front of the Church of the Manto Sagrado de María. In Concepción de la Sierra there is a stop to see the museum of the Concepción Jesuit mission. Then comes the guided visit to the Santa María la Mayor ruins, a former Jesuit reduction. The ruins are part of the Jesuit heritage of Misiones, along with San Ignacio Miní and others.

Tips

• Wear comfortable shoes, since there is a guided visit to the Santa María la Mayor ruins.
• Drinks are not included, so bring your own water or plan to pay for drinks separately.
• Bring sunscreen and a hat for the stops outdoors.
• At the Juan Szychowski Museum you can explore the exhibition on your own, so leave time to see it at your pace.

Who it suits

• Families: Includes transfers to and from the hotel and lunch, so there is no need to organize the logistics of the day.
• History lovers: Combines two museums and the Santa María la Mayor Jesuit ruins, with a Spanish-speaking guide.
• Yerba mate fans: Visits the capital of Argentine yerba mate and has an exhibition on the subject at the Juan Szychowski Museum.