San Martín Department offers a range of highlights: Jesuit heritage in La Cruz and Yapeyú, as well as nature and cultural experiences around Iberá. In Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, boat trips and kayaking are also available. Each place has its own distinctive attractions.
Jesuit Heritage and History in La Cruz
The old Jesuit walls in La Cruz are tangible evidence of the town’s history. They belonged to a reducción founded by Jesuit missionaries and Guaraní peoples. The Iglesia Antigua also has historical significance: it was one of the 30 Jesuit pueblos and was founded in 1629.
Argentine Law 25.117 declares the relics, archaeological remains, anthropological elements, and ruins of the old Jesuit missions in La Cruz to be part of the town’s historical and cultural heritage. The La Cruz sundial is covered by the law’s preservation provisions. Another tangible example of how daily life was organized in the past is the luminarias: hollowed-out stone blocks from the colonial period that were used to light the town’s streets with burning fat or tallow.
The patron saint celebrations at the Iglesia Antigua on August 15 end with a Mass. If you want to plan your trip around this date, check the specific event dates in advance. The Reserva Natural Paraje Tres Cerros is about 27 kilometers from La Cruz. Depending on the route you choose, Provincial Routes 114 or 119 lead there.
Museums and San Martín Heritage in Yapeyú
The Templete Casa Natal Gral. San Martín is considered Yapeyú’s main tourist attraction. It preserves the ruins of the house where José Francisco de San Martín was born on February 25, 1778. The extensive park and its scenic location on the Río Uruguay add a distinctive setting to its historical significance.
The museums also offer different perspectives. The Museo Padre Furlong displays floors and column bases. The Museo de Cultura Jesuítica “R. P. Guillermo Furlong S.J.” is dedicated to Indigenous peoples and the peoples governed by the Jesuits. The Museo Histórico Sanmartiniano exhibits Jesuit archaeological artifacts as well as original items recovered from the former reducción. Those exploring Yapeyú’s history will therefore find both architectural remains and a range of thematic perspectives here.
Iberá’s Nature and Activities in Colonia Carlos Pellegrini
Parque Nacional y Provincial Iberá offers numerous trails through varied natural environments, including grasslands, wooded areas, and the shores of wetlands. The activity area at Portal Laguna Iberá also includes trails through gallery forests and boardwalks over Laguna Iberá. These descriptions highlight a variety of landscapes to consider when planning a nature-focused stay.
Boat trips and kayaking excursions are available in Colonia Carlos Pellegrini. Centro de Interpretación Iberá Salvaje introduces visitors to the nature, history, and culture of the Esteros del Iberá. It covers the ecosystems, fauna and flora, their importance to the global ecosystem, Indigenous peoples, and the impact of European colonization. Alongside activities, the town also offers information about the landscape and its history.
Festival del Yaguareté Correntino brings together culture, gastronomy, identity, and nature conservation. A report from 2026 describes it as an annual event held in a different location each time; Carlos Pellegrini hosted the second edition. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates and venue for the relevant edition.
Getting to Portal Laguna Iberá
From Mercedes, Portal Laguna Iberá is accessible via Ruta Provincial 40. The route is 120 kilometers long: 50 kilometers are paved, and the remaining 70 kilometers are on a compacted gravel road. Road conditions can change due to weather or roadworks, so check them before setting off. No specific travel time is provided here, so plan your journey based on your particular travel conditions.
Discover more destinations: La Cruz, Yapeyú, Itatí, Ituzaingó Department, Sauce Department, Goya Department, Esquina, Paso de los Libres.
Return to the main travel overview: Corrientes.
