In General Manuel Belgrano Department, Parque Provincial Urugua-í was established on October 5, 1990, under Provincial Law No. 2,794. Its mission: to protect the ecosystem of the Urugua-í stream basin and offset the negative effects of the Urugua-í reservoir downstream. Here, the landscape is closely linked to a specific conservation mission.

Getting your bearings at Parque Provincial Urugua-í

At the Uruzu park ranger station on Provincial Route No. 19, there is a visitor center, trails and a campground; park rangers are also on site. A small camping area with fire pits is also located at the park ranger station on National Route No. 101. It is about 20 kilometers from the turnoff to Provincial Route No. 19, in the direction of San Antonio.

There are several ways to experience nature here, too. In 2023, the Observatorio del Salar in Parque Provincial Urugua-í was described as a suitable place to observe deer and tapirs as part of a project. The animals gather there because of salts and minerals deposited in the soil. Another project described in 2023 proposed 400 meters of signposted, inclusively designed trails for birdwatching in the park. Check before visiting whether this infrastructure is now in operation.

Forest and biodiversity

The 78-hectare Alto Iguazú protected area is located in Colonia Andresito and contains well-preserved native forest with palmitos and tree ferns. Alto Iguazú is also a strategic connecting point between Parque Nacional Iguazú and Parque Provincial Yacuy.

Reserva Natural Estricta San Antonio offers another glimpse of native nature. Its forests include stands of Paraná pines and araucarias; yerba mate trees, bromeliads, orchids and giant tree ferns also grow there. Species living in the reserve include the blue jay, the chestnut-winged potoo, the pine woodcreeper and the endangered vinaceous-breasted parrot, as well as the paca, the brown brocket deer, the capuchin monkey and the oncilla.

For more wildlife activities, Mandioca Turismo Aventura in Paraje Cabure-I, near Comandante Andresito, offers birdwatching, photo safaris, and opportunities to observe flora and fauna. Activities range from exploring the vegetation of protected areas to focusing on the region’s animal and plant life.

Mate and community traditions

On Provincial Route No. 25, in the industrial zone of Comandante Andresito, Cooperativa Yerbatera Andresito Ltda is a Mate Point. Visits are available by prior reservation. If you want to include mate cultivation in your travel interests, this listed tour opportunity is a specific local point of interest.

In San Antonio, the annual patron saint celebrations honoring Saint Anthony of Padua are among the area’s most important religious and community events. They bring together residents and visitors from across the region. If you would like to include the celebrations in your plans, check the event dates before your trip.

Misiones in a broader context

In the broader destination of Misiones, Parque Nacional Iguazú, a World Heritage Site, preserves more than 67,000 hectares of the Selva Paranense. The Cataratas del Iguazú are in northern Misiones, on the border with Brazil. Four Jesuit-Guaraní sites in Misiones—Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto, San Ignacio Miní and Santa María la Mayor—are also UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Discover more destinations: Andrecito, Capital Department, Candelaria Department, Leandro N. Alem Department, Cainguás Department, Oberá Department, Libertador General San Martín Department, 25 de Mayo Department.

View the broader travel guide: Misiones.