Iguazú Falls and Jesuit Missions

Puerto Iguazú for the falls on both sides, then south along Route 12 to the Jesuit ruins of Argentina and Paraguay

Stay three nights in Puerto Iguazú, spending one day each on the Argentine and Brazilian sides. On day four, hire a car and head south along Route 12, passing the Wanda gem mine and San Ignacio Miní, then cross the bridge to Encarnación in Paraguay. Day five visits the UNESCO World Heritage Trinidad and Jesús de Tavarangüe missions. Finally, leave from Posadas across the river. This route links the falls with the history of the Guaraní missions, crosses three countries, and suits history-minded repeat visitors.

In summer (Dec–Feb), the mission ruins are scorching hot. Avoid midday.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrival in Puerto Iguazú

Iguazu Falls（Triple Frontier Landmark (Marco das Três Fronteiras)、La Feirinha (Puerto Iguazú)）

A taxi from the airport to Puerto Iguazú takes about 20 minutes. In the evening, walk to the Triple Frontier to watch the sunset, then have dinner at the small market.

Stay: Puerto Iguazú

Day 2 · Full Day at the Argentine Falls

Iguazu Falls（Devil's Throat (Garganta del Diablo)、Upper Circuit / Lower Circuit、Gran Aventura Boat Ride）

Take the bus from the town's long-distance bus station to the national park, about 30 minutes. Inside the park, take the little train round trip to the Devil's Throat.

Stay: Puerto Iguazú

Day 3 · Brazilian Side Panorama and Bird Park

Iguazu Falls（Brazilian Side Panoramic Trail (Trilha das Cataratas)、Parque das Aves (Bird Park)）

Take a cross-border bus or hired car over the bridge to the Brazilian national park, about 1 hour. In the afternoon, visit the bird park, then return to Puerto Iguazú the same way.

Some nationalities need a visa to enter Brazil. Check before departing.

Stay: Puerto Iguazú

Day 4 · Gem Mine and San Ignacio Miní

Iguazu Falls（Wanda Gem Mines） → Encarnación（San Ignacio Miní）

Hire a car and head south along Route 12. It's about 1 hour to the Wanda gem mine, then about 3 hours to San Ignacio. In the evening, cross the bridge via Posadas to Encarnación.

The full drive is about 330 km, so leave early in the morning. You'll need your passport for the border bridge.

Stay: Costanera and San José Beach

Day 5 · Trinidad and Tavarangüe Missions

Encarnación（Jesuit Mission of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná、Jesuit Mission of Jesús de Tavarangue、Playa San José）

Take a taxi or long-distance bus from Encarnación, about 40 minutes, to the Trinidad ruins. Then it's about 15 minutes to Jesús de Tavarangüe. In the afternoon, return to town for the sunset on the riverside beach.

Trinidad has a light show on weekend evenings, so check opening hours.

Stay: Costanera and San José Beach

Day 6 · Riverside Walk and Departure

Encarnación（Encarnación Cathedral、Costanera de Encarnación、Costanera of Posadas）

In the morning, walk around the Encarnación cathedral and the riverside promenade. Cross the bridge to Posadas, walk a stretch along the river, then take a taxi to the airport, about 20 minutes.

Border bridge queues are unpredictable. Allow at least 2 hours before your flight.

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