For a trip to Candelaria Department, choose from nature trails, wetlands, viewpoints and Jesuit-Guaraní heritage. The destinations also differ in practical ways: length, difficulty and trail type help you choose activities based on your interests.

Trails in Parque Federal Campo San Juan

In the municipality of Santa Ana, Sendero al Cerro Bella Vista is an easy 3,200-meter out-and-back trail leading to the highest point in Parque Federal Campo San Juan. There are two observation points at the end. Sendero del Bañado Yacutinga, by contrast, is an 850-meter loop of moderate difficulty. Its two birdwatching points are on the edge of the wetland; you can reach the loop from the main trail or from the historic main house.

Sendero al Ingenio is 2,700 meters long in total and can be explored on foot or by bicycle. It leads to a viewpoint with the remains of a chimney from Ingenio Azucarero San Juan. Sendero a la Cascada is much shorter, at 35 meters, and is rated easy. Whether the waterfall is visible depends on the water level of Arroyo Yacutinga; swimming is not allowed there.

Another trail, Sendero al Río Paraná, leads to a viewpoint on the park’s coast. From there, panoramic views extend over the park’s coast and Paraguay. The information on length, difficulty and mode of travel makes the trails easy to compare without combining them into a single excursion.

Natural Areas and Wildlife Conservation

Cañadón de Profundidad is home to a 19-hectare natural area protected since 1992, with geological formations, forest and waterfalls. Sendero Ombú takes about 20 minutes. The self-guided Sendero Guabiyú is also listed as taking approximately 20 minutes. This gives visitors a choice of two named trails with similar estimated durations in the same natural area; the self-guided format is specifically noted for Guabiyú.

In the municipality of Candelaria, Parque Ecológico “El Puma” covers 25 hectares. This multipurpose nature reserve supports nature conservation, sustainable production, scientific research, environmental education and recreation. Since 2000, it has housed a center that cares for, rehabilitates and releases native wildlife back into the wild.

In the wider region, Reserva Natural Urutaú extends across Candelaria, Profundidad and Garupá. It covers 1,270 hectares in the Campos y Malezales ecoregion. A total of 271 bird species have been recorded there, including the capuchino pecho blanco (Sporophila palustris) and the tordo amarillo (Xanthopsar flavus); both species are internationally endangered.

Forest Trails and Butterflies on Cerro Santa Ana

Parque Temático de la Cruz is located on Cerro Santa Ana, at an elevation of 360 meters above sea level. The 57.5-hectare site features native forest of Misiones Province, water sources, native tree species, regional birds and natural viewpoints. A 600-meter trail leads through the forest and offers an interpretive route and a religious route; the latter includes seven Stations of the Cross.

At the butterfly house, visitors can watch butterflies in flight and learn about their complete life cycle. For the drive there, it is also worth noting that access to the park is fully paved near the junction of National Route 12 and Provincial Route 103.

Jesuit-Guaraní Heritage and Historic Routes

The Conjunto Jesuítico Guaraní de Santa Ana is part of the cross-border World Heritage property “Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis.” In addition to Santa Ana, this World Heritage property includes the ruins of São Miguel Arcanjo in Brazil and, in Argentina, the ruins of San Ignacio Miní, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa María la Mayor. Santa Ana is therefore part of a World Heritage property whose components are located in two countries.

The Ruta Belgraniana in Misiones was established by Provincial Law VI No. 318 and today follows RP 204 between Candelaria and San José. Historically, the route connected the Guaraní-Jesuit reductions of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria and San José via intermediate stops. These included the San Cristóbal chapel in present-day Profundidad. The route extends beyond the department, so its regional scope should be taken into account when planning a trip.

In the municipality of Candelaria, the Reducciones de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria and the Costanera Andrés Guacurarí are also among the attractions. Together with the trails in Santa Ana and the natural areas in Profundidad and Candelaria, they show how varied the local attractions are: historic sites, landscapes and wildlife conservation can be explored separately or chosen as different themes for a trip.

Discover more destinations: San Ignacio, Santa Ana, Candelaria, Capital Department, Iguazú Department, San Ignacio Department, Cainguás Department, 25 de Mayo Department.

For an overview of the wider region: Misiones.