More than 550 bird species have been recorded along the Ruta de las Aves de Misiones, including many endemic species. The route combines nature tourism, conservation and environmental education. Here, birdlife and conservation are not separate topics: exploring nature is as much a part of the experience as learning about it.

Forest, Water and Protected Areas

Water also shapes Misiones’ geographical diversity. The province has more than 800 waterways, including the Paraná, Iguazú and Uruguay rivers. In the north, the Cataratas del Iguazú lie on the border with Brazil. They are described as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Parque Nacional Iguazú is a World Heritage Site and protects more than 67,000 hectares of the Selva Paranense.

Another water phenomenon is the Saltos del Moconá: these geological waterfalls run parallel to the Río Uruguay. Parque Provincial Moconá lies within Reserva de la Biosfera Yabotí, in the municipality of San Pedro. The reserve itself spans the municipalities of San Pedro and Guaraní in Misiones. Waterfalls in the north and the protected areas near San Pedro show different facets of this nature destination.

Another point of reference is the Ruta de la Selva, an ecotourism region that geographically coincides with Misiones’ Corredor Verde. The Ruta de las Aves, by contrast, has a clearly defined focus on nature tourism, conservation and environmental education. The two names approach nature in different ways: one through regional geography, the other through birdlife and education about it.

Jesuit-Guaraní Heritage

In the south of the province are four Jesuit-Guaraní missions, considered an extraordinary example of systematic and organized settlement of a territory. Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto, San Ignacio Miní and Santa María la Mayor are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These specific place names bring the historical heritage to life; its broader context is also reflected in the Camino de los Jesuitas.

This Camino preserves eleven of the 30 Jesuit Guaraní settlements and stretches for more than 420 kilometers. The four World Heritage Sites mentioned and the eleven preserved settlements describe different scales of this heritage: individual named places as well as a broader context. Those interested in history will find more than a single historical landmark in Misiones.

The Huella Guaraní also leads through the jungle. It shares the history, customs and secrets of the Mbya Nation. The pilgrimage to Cerro Monje in San Javier offers a different cultural and religious perspective and is one of the pilgrimage destinations highlighted by Misiones.

Cycling Routes and Nature Watching

The two cycling options are easy to distinguish based on how they are described. The Camino del Yaguareté is a bicycle route within Parque Nacional Iguazú, where visitors can interpret the jungle and observe birds. Parque Temático de la Cruz offers a mountain-bike circuit totaling 29 kilometers. The first combines cycling with the jungle and birdwatching; the second specifies the circuit’s length.

You can choose based on your interests: a cycling route with nature watching or a mountain-bike circuit with a stated total distance. Birdlife also features as a subject in its own right along the Ruta de las Aves, where more than 550 species have been recorded. Nature watching and cycling can each shape how you experience Misiones.

Discover Yerba Mate and Tea

The province’s products can also be discovered through visits and tastings. Experiencia Verdeada includes a tour of yerba mate production and ends at the farm with a tasting and pairing. At yerba mate producers, visitors can also learn about the history of mate, as well as its cultivation, drying and aging, and take part in tastings.

Tea tourism complements these experiences with guided tours, tastings and food offerings. Visitors can learn about the journey from plantation to cup. While yerba mate experiences focus on the history and processing of mate, tea tourism covers the entire journey of tea through to the finished drink. This gives you a clear choice when planning your trip between natural and cultural heritage, cycling, and discovering regional products.

Discover More Destinations

Puerto Iguazú, Posadas, Aristóbulo Del Valle, Apóstoles, Oberá, Puerto Bossetti, Departamento General Manuel Belgrano, Departamento Candelaria, Departamento Oberá, Departamento Libertador General San Martín, Montecarlo, Departamento San Ignacio, Departamento Iguazú, Departamento Cainguás, Departamento Leandro N. Alem, Departamento Capital, El Dorado, San Pedro, Departamento 25 de Mayo and El Soberbio.

For the overview of the wider region: Argentina.