From colorful wildlife to centuries-old ruins and one of the world’s true natural wonders, the Argentine province of Misiones is filled with fascinating attractions. Misiones sits in the northeast of Argentina, where it shares a border with Brazil and Paraguay. See Misiones’ stunning natural landscapes of dense forests and jungles interspersed by lakes, rivers and waterfalls.
Misiones’ centerpiece attraction is the majestic Iguazú Falls, set amid the rainforest-clad Parque Nacional Iguazú. Marvel at some 275 waterfalls that cascade over a horseshoe-shaped gorge on the Argentina-Brazil border. While here, look for caiman, monkeys, parrots and toucans. Nearby Puerto Iguazú is a lively tourist hub. Check out Hito Argentino, which marks the confluence of two rivers and three countries.
Set back from the Río Paraná, you’ll find a scattering of towns that showcase the province’s diversity. Explore a gemstone mine in Wanda and go sport fishing or white-water rafting in Eldorado. Admire pretty flower gardens in Montecarlo and swim beneath the Saltos del Tabay waterfall at Jardín América. Visit the ruins of 17th-century Jesuit missions in San Ignacio and Santa Ana. See historical architecture and relax on river beaches in Posadas, the provincial capital.
Get a glimpse of colonial history at Oberá, a city settled by Europeans in the early 1900s. Go to El Soberbio, a tranquil village on the banks of the Río Uruguay, framed by Parque Provincial Moconá. Discover an unspoiled rainforest and the picturesque waterfalls of Saltos del Moconá.
Misiones hosts a range of interesting festivals, such as the Fiesta Provincial de la Cerveza, a beer festival held in November in Leandro N. Alem, and the Fiesta Nacional de Té, Camp Viera’s tea celebration in May.
Reach Misiones by flying to Puerto Iguazú’s international airport or catching a long-distance bus. Expect warm temperatures, high humidity and showers year-round. Take a side trip to the Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls or trips across the Río Paraná to Paraguayan cities, including Ciudad del Este and Encarnacion.
