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[title]A typical getaway to Misiones usually lasts three days: one for exploring the Iguazú National Park, another for crossing over to the Brazilian side, and a third for enjoying the hotel, indulging in good food, and maybe stopping by the Free Shop in Puerto Iguazú for gifts for those who stayed behind. But let us tell you, if you stick to just that, you're missing out on a lot.
Yes, it's true: the Iguazú Falls are majestic and impressive, seeing them makes you feel like a grain of sand on a vast beach, just a tiny star in an immense galaxy. Yes, they remind you that nature is powerful and generous. But Puerto Iguazú has more must-see attractions, experiences that will help you connect more deeply with the lush Misiones jungle.
Did you know that you can take guided tours through the jungle, learning about its flora and fauna? That you can discover hidden miniature waterfalls and even bathe under one? You’ll learn all this and more in this article. And we warn you: you might be tempted to take a trip. Read at your own risk.
Discover Yabuticaba - Jungle Market
This new gastronomic hotspot will remind you of the San Miguel Market in Madrid, in the best possible sense. You can buy special regional products that you won't find everywhere (who wouldn't be tempted by papaya and passion fruit jam?), choose from over 20 small-batch organic yerba varieties, taste the wine that appeals to you most from the cellar, and even have a yerba mate ice cream. Additionally, there’s a well-stocked brewery, a specialty coffee shop, a chocolate shop, and several restaurants of varying degrees of sophistication, so you can choose from a hearty burger to a pacu fish grilled with cassava chips and corn puree. Both options are a 10.
And the ambiance at Yabuticaba doesn't lag behind. Imagine a suspension bridge that takes you from one restaurant to another amid jungle vegetation. Dim, strategically placed lighting. The smell of delicious food and greenery. The sound: soft music, conversations, laughter, and the flow of water from the fountain (or waterfall?) that decorates the entrance. So even if you choose not to eat there or buy anything at the market, Yabuticaba is a great place to visit.
Time Travel in Puerto Bemberg
The Puerto Bemberg Nature Reserve is now a 400-hectare paradise you can explore. But not too long ago, this same space housed a prosperous community rich in culture and traditions, centered around the harvest of "green gold," as yerba mate was called, in the Bemberg family plantations.
Today, the descendants of this traditional family not only offer two beautiful accommodations, the Posada Puerto Bemberg and the Casa Bemberg, but also activities that transport you to the past and connect you with the place. The historical walk takes you through the area's historic core, placing you among the workers who spent their Sundays listening to mass in the small chapel with its golden bell, so bright it seemed like gold instead of bronze. Like them, you go to what used to be the market, conveniently located in front of the bank. You see the school, the plaza, and the post office, and imagine what it feels like to wait months for a letter. Then, you put your phone aside and connect with your patient side, more in harmony with the rhythm of the place.
Casa Bemberg
But the "Jesuit Mate" activity takes you even further back in time. From a high deck touching the treetops, and with the magical sunset over the Paraná River, you learn about the history of the monks who lived in the area, their relationship with the natives, and their discovery of mate cocido (cooked mate). But they didn't drink it like we do, in tea bags: they prepared it over firewood, sweetened with caramel. A perfect treat for a snack you’ll never forget.
Luxurious Camping at Pristine
When eating warm mbeyú (a traditional Paraguayan bread) by a campfire is more luxurious than dining in an à la carte restaurant, that’s Pristine. You might already know the famous eco-domes in the Salinas Grandes in Jujuy, where you sleep in perfect connection with nature, under the stars and on the salt. Now, Pristine is also in Iguazú, located in the Puerto Bemberg Reserve. The cabins are in perfect harmony with the Misiones jungle: from the comfort of your tub, daybed, or outdoor jacuzzi, you participate in the ecosystem and feel part of something big. New sounds, new flavors, and also the adrenaline of adventure invite you to connect with nature, because from your cabin you see no other people: just jungle.
The activities they offer help you connect with the environment. You can take a guided walk through the jungle, learning about the local flora and fauna, until you reach a magical oasis: a waterfall that flows into a lagoon inviting you to swim, before enjoying a gourmet snack at a proper “camp” with everything needed to relax your body and delight your eyes.
You can also spend the afternoon by the campfire enjoying some mate or a glass of wine, learn to make traditional chipá (a cheese bread), go to strategic spots to learn about the region's birds, or simply enjoy the environment: by the pool, on the trails, in the water.
Bathe in Yasy Falls, “La Coca” Sarli Style
Those in the know say that in 1960, when Armando Bo was filming his third movie with Isabel Sarli, they wanted to include the landscape of the famous falls in the Iguazú National Park. But since “La Coca” had already done the first cinematic nude two years earlier at the same location, in the film "Thunder Among the Leaves," they were not allowed to film there again.
But the story continues. It seems that a local prop man convinced Bo to visit a hidden "small waterfall," known only to a few locals, where they could film privately. And that's where the magic happened: “La Coca” dared to bathe in the small waterfall, making history.
You can do the same, experience a unique sensation, and take the photo of a lifetime. But first, prepare for the adventure: you take a boat from Posada Puerto Bemberg or Pristine (both accommodations offer the excursion), walk about 500 meters into the jungle following your guide's steps, and when you arrive, you leave your shoes aside to get into the water. It’s less cold than it seems, we promise.
Three nice facts: first, Yasy means “moon” in Guarani. Second, it’s located in Puerto Libertad, just 25 km from the National Park (so even if you’re staying in the center, it doesn't take long to make the trip). And third, you’ll likely have the waterfall all to yourself, because "it's one of those places that we locals know exists, but never visit," as Marcelo, our guide, told us.
After So Much Adventure, a Pampering with Yerba Mate
You've walked everywhere. Your muscles have exerted themselves, your skin has gotten more sun than usual. Now it's time to recuperate in the best way: relaxing at the spa in the Iguazú Grand Hotel.
You can start your moment of pleasure in the water circuit: from Roman hot springs with hydro-massage to Scottish showers, before moving on to the dry and wet saunas, and ending in the heated pool. And you can indulge in a special treatment that hydrates and promotes circulation, like a yerba mate facial, also taking advantage of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. A de-stressing massage will leave you renewed. Whatever treatment you choose, it will have an extra benefit: the natural and local ingredients, such as yerba mate and other herbs, plants, and seeds that grow in the jungle, which incorporate the healing essences of the biome.
A tip: since you’re at the Iguazú Grand, don’t miss lunch or dinner at their El Jardín restaurant to experience the best local flavors. All dishes are prepared with organic and local ingredients (they are committed to the sustainable "Zero Kilometer" principle) and reflect the Misiones culture in every bite. Choose whatever tempts you from the menu, because everything is special and different, the best way to get to know the region’s cuisine in its gourmet version.
So now you know: if you've been to Puerto Iguazú and only saw the falls, you now have a good reason to return. The good news is that it’s no longer a once-in-a-lifetime trip, because since JetSMART flies to Misiones, traveling to the province is more accessible and affordable. And something important to keep in mind: you can make a getaway to Puerto Iguazú anytime, taking advantage of the super low-priced opportunities and promotions that JetSMART shares on its social media. So now you know, two hours from Aeroparque, and you're in Iguazú... In the magical jungle. Oh, and for activity and transfer bookings, Cuenca del Plata takes care of everything.