Travel to the Misiones jungle and discover the Moconá Falls

The province of Misiones is much more than Iguazú. Get to know the best of the Misiones jungle until you reach the Moconá Falls.

Traveling to Misiones is often synonymous with visiting the Iguazú Falls. Without a doubt, it is a unique experience and worth living, at least, once in the life of every traveler. But Misiones is much more than one of the natural wonders of the world. It is jungle, history, river, streams, incredible fauna and hotels that allow you to rest in unthinkable places. Imagine sleeping with all the comforts and, in the meantime, listening to the sounds of the jungle.

A different trip through the province of yerba mate is not difficult. The best way to start exploring Misiones is by car from the provincial capital. Renting a car in Posadas and embarking on the journey along the Misiones routes is an experience you won’t regret. Along the way, you’ll come across Jesuit ruins, little-visited provincial parks, and incredible jungle lodges to sleep in the middle of nature.

So that you can explore the must-see places in Misiones by car, at Rentennials we want to give you all the information you need to get there and enjoy the magic of the Misiones jungle.

Posadas, an unexpected city

Everything begins (and ends) in one of the most beautiful cities in the country. Posadas is characterized by having a beautiful waterfront to enjoy walking, cycling or driving. In addition, there are some beaches to cool off in the Paraná River if the temperature is too high, or you can also visit museums that cover part of the history of the region. And finally, you can cross over to Paraguay, to the city of Encarnación, to do some shopping.

 What to visit in Posadas, Misiones

Sometimes, spending a few days on a trip to a capital city seems like a lot, but Posadas is an unexpected surprise. Book one or two nights in some accommodation and enjoy what the capital of Misiones has to offer.

The Posadas waterfront

The Posadas waterfront is about 10 kilometers along the Paraná River. A good place to start the tour is at the Monument to Andresito Guacurarí, an emblem of the history of the province. It is located very close to the Bajada Vieja, a very representative place of the city’s culture.

El Muelle is another place to enjoy a sunset in the peace of the river.

The beaches of Posadas

Posadas has two beaches: El Brete and Costa Sur. The first is located in the city center, between Urquiza and Costanera avenues. There, in addition to sand and river, there are various sports activities to enjoy the day, such as volleyball and soccer. Just 200 meters away is the Itá Stream Urban Reserve, an excellent place to enjoy nature in the heart of the city.

Costa Sur beach is at the southern entrance to the city. It is a proposal that combines sun, beach, water activities and the tranquility of being on the banks of the Paraná River. Currently, it is one of the most sought-after places in the city.

Both beaches have an excellent gastronomic offer to taste local flavors. A recommendation: choose dishes made with cassava.

Culture and history

Posadas is full of culture everywhere. In the Old Train Station, today a cultural center, there are usually artistic expressions and exhibits to enjoy with the family. Another site of interest is the Costanera Mural. This is one of the largest murals in the world that combines the history of the region and that brought together more than 50 artists from various Latin American countries.

The Cathedral, the Aníbal Cambas Regional Museum and the Andrés Guacurarí Historical Museum are other places you can visit to soak up the history of the region.

 Crossing to Encarnación

Paraguay is just a bridge away. Via the San Roque González de Santa Cruz International Bridge you quickly reach Encarnación, a city located on the other side of the Paraná. In this city there are many shops to shop, from appliances to clothing and everything you need.

Perhaps crossing by car is not the best option. It can take many hours due to customs procedures. To make your trip easier, you can book a tour or, directly, use the modern international train Posadas-Encarnación.

San Ignacio and the Guaraní Jesuit Ruins.

Along National Route 12, just one hour north of Posadas, is the town of San Ignacio, famous for housing the Jesuit Reductions of San Ignacio Miní, a World Heritage Site. From the time of the conquest until 1776, the year of the expulsion of the Jesuits, there was an evangelizing task towards the Guaraní in these lands that can be thoroughly seen by visiting the site.

If you are in a hurry, visiting only these ruins is a good option, but if you have time and peace of mind, San Ignacio has a lot to see.

Guaraní Jesuit Mission Our Lady of Santa Ana

An oasis of peace and history in the jungle. Smaller than those of San Ignacio, but no less impressive, the ruins of Santa Ana offer you a tour with fewer people and with history. The jungle completely took over this site, something that makes it unique.

Like many of the Jesuit buildings, you can see the remains of the central chapel, the plaza, the work places and the places where both the Jesuits and the indigenous people rested.

Open every day from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. If you go in the summer, avoid midday and afternoon hours, as the heat can be scorching.

To get there you have to go to the town of Santa Ana on National Route 12. Once you cross the bridge, turn right and follow a dirt road parallel to the road. Access is not clear, so it is often better to ask the locals.

The Jesuit Ruins of San Ignacio

perhaps the most famous in the world and the ones that everyone wants to visit. Its perfectly preserved buildings transform this place into something incredible to see. The plaza, the old church, the workplaces and the buildings that survived the passage of time are worth visiting.

At night, and with prior reservation, a beautiful light show is performed on the Jesuit buildings that traces the history of the region.

Open every day from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. In summer, try to go in the morning.

Teyú Cuaré Provincial Park and Horacio Quiroga’s house

It is strange that Teyú Cuaré Provincial Park is not visited by hundreds of people. But it is for the best, since the jungle is for you. Through self-guided trails of low difficulty you will travel through this portion of the Misiones jungle without any noise other than that of nature. Open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Very close to the Park is Horacio Quiroga’s house. It consists of two buildings, one made for a film and the other restored, where the famous Uruguayan writer lived. Before going, we recommend that you read some short stories to immerse yourself in the stories of the jungle that he knew how to write and the environment where he did it.

Open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Salto Encantado Provincial Park in Aristóbulo del Valle

After traveling the impressive scenic route that connects Aristóbulo del Valle with National Route 12, Provincial Route 7, you will reach the Cuña Pirú Valley. Here, the Salto Encantado Provincial Park awaits you, a site with an impressive 64-meter-high waterfall. In addition, you can explore trails that go deep into the jungle, offering you a unique experience in the middle of nature.

If you are looking to sleep in direct contact with the environment, there are some jungle lodges nearby. These private reserves have trails and all the amenities so that you can enjoy the magic of the jungle. The sounds of nature during the day and, especially, at night, will surprise you.

El Soberbio

It is time to continue the trip to El Soberbio, the closest town to the impressive Moconá Falls. This city offers basic services, but it is not the ideal place to stay overnight.

The best thing is to get as close as possible to the Moconá Falls and stay in one of the many options you will find near Provincial Route 2. There are alternatives for all tastes, but we suggest you choose a place surrounded by jungle and with walking trails. In this way, the experience of living connected to nature will be much more authentic.

The Moconá Falls

The Moconá Falls are located within the Yabotí Biosphere Reserve. Its particular shape is due to the fact that it is a geological fault existing on the Uruguay River. This made the waterfalls longitudinal, something that is not seen in other parts of the world.

The trip already begins even before arriving. The road from El Soberbio to the Falls is an experience in itself. The views of the jungle and the Uruguay River accompany you during the journey with unforgettable postcards. A tip: drive slowly because you will encounter local fauna and the road becomes winding.

Once there, the adventure continues with the boat ride that takes you to the base of the falls. If you dare, the boat will get so close that you will get soaked by the waterfalls falling on you, an exciting experience (and refreshing if the temperatures are very high). This trip lasts about 45 minutes, so afterward you will be able to explore the trails of the reserve.

The tranquility of the place and the few people make it common to come across black howler monkeys and other species of the local fauna. It is a unique opportunity to connect with nature and enjoy an environment full of life.

For the boat ride it is not necessary to book and they leave every 30 minutes approximately

 Tips for visiting the Moconá Falls

The peculiarity of the Moconá Falls is that if there is a significant increase in the river flow, the waterfalls disappear. This can happen if it rains a lot in the north, in Brazil. Therefore, we recommend that you enter the social networks of the Moconá Tourism Cooperative, who carry out the boat trips. A few days, or even a week before, you will be able to find out if the boats carry out the excursion.

 How to get to the Moconá Falls from Posadas

The best way to get to the Moconá Falls from Posadas is to take National Route 12, then Provincial Route 7 towards Aristóbulo del Valle. From there you have to go along National Route 14 to San Vicente and finally, take Provincial Route 13 to El Soberbio.

To help you, we leave you the map with the suggested route here.

 Jungle lodges in Misiones

These jungle hotels are excellent options to enjoy nature with all the comforts. Some have more features than others, but in general, being far from the Iguazu Falls, they usually have more affordable prices.

Here are some for you to keep in mind:

• Momora Distrito Selva in Santa Ana
• Tacuapí Lodge near Salto Encantado
• La Misión in Saltos del Moconá
• Moconá Virgin Lodge in Saltos del Moconá

Tips for traveling to Misiones

The best time to travel to Misiones is between April and October. Although you can visit the province all year round, in summer the temperatures can be very high.

In high season, book your accommodations in advance so you can be sure to sleep in beautiful places.

The roads in Misiones are generally in good condition. However, there are usually a lot of trucks, so it is best to go slowly and pay attention.

A week is the ideal time to make this trip. However, if you have fewer days, you can organize your itinerary to get to the Moconá Falls.

 Explore Misiones with Rentennials

The Misiones Jungle is a paradise waiting to be discovered. Getting off the beaten track has its rewards. If you already know Iguazú, all you have to do is drive from Posadas to the interior of the province of Misiones and be amazed by the magic of its nature.

Renting a car in Posadas with Rentennials is the best option. Economical, sustainable, and with an easy process to have your car from the beginning to the end of your trip.