In Santa Ana, two distinct areas to explore come together: the landscape of Parque Temático de la Cruz and the cultural heritage of Conjunto Jesuítico Guaraní de Santa Ana. Nature takes center stage at the cross and along the forest trails; at the historic site, you can learn about the water management system of a reduction. This lets you choose the focus of your visit based on your interests.

Cross, Forest, and Views at Parque Temático de la Cruz

Parque Temático de la Cruz is located in the town of Santa Ana. Its cross is 82 meters high, and visitors can take an elevator to the arms of the structure. The park covers 57.5 hectares of native forest in the province of Misiones. Springs, native tree species, regional birds, and natural viewpoints are among its landscape features. The park also has walking paths and trails through the forest. So, in addition to the cross, the forest and viewpoints offer distinct areas to explore.

Jesuit Heritage and Water Management

Conjunto Jesuítico Guaraní de Santa Ana was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. The water management system of a reduction can be understood there through a pond and a canal system. This gives the visit a specific thematic focus: in addition to its UNESCO designation, you can learn about how water was managed at the site. The designation and visible structures thus offer two different ways to explore the place.

Walking Trails and the Biciturismo de la Cruz Cycling Route

When choosing a route at Parque Temático de la Cruz, it is helpful to distinguish between the park's walking paths and the named cycling route. Biciturismo de la Cruz starts at the park entrance and ends at the Punto Panorámico Gruta Virgen de los Pobres viewpoint in Cerro Corá. Along the route, the trail passes through gallery forests with waterways and Urunday forests. Its starting point, endpoint, and landscape give the cycling route its own character alongside the walking paths and forest trails. If you plan to take this route, bear in mind that operational details may change and check the latest information.

More Trails in Departamento Candelaria

In Departamento Candelaria, you can compare other routes by length, layout, and destination. Sendero del Bañado Yacutinga in Parque Federal Campo San Juan is an 850-meter loop of moderate difficulty. There are two bird-watching points at the edge of the wetland. Sendero al Ingenio is 2,700 meters long in total and follows an out-and-back route; it can be traveled on foot or by bicycle. Its destination is a viewpoint overlooking the remains of a chimney from Ingenio Azucarero San Juan. The trails thus differ both in their route format and in the interests they cater to: bird-watching points by the wetland on one route, and a viewpoint with chimney ruins on the other.

Also in Departamento Candelaria is Sendero Ombú in Cañadón de Profundidad. It takes about 20 minutes to complete. The Reducciones de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria are among the attractions of the municipality of Candelaria and add another cultural point of interest to the regional picture.

Discover more destinations: Candelaria, San Ignacio.

For the broader travel overview: Departamento Candelaria.