Jesuit art, regional festivals, and river landscapes offer different highlights in Misiones Department. Between collections, sacred works, and activities around Yacyretá, you can discover culture, water, and technology as different aspects of the destination. For orientation, start with the specific places: San Juan Bautista is the capital; museums and churches each preserve distinct cultural and historical highlights.

Location and cultural landmarks

The department is located in the south of Paraguay’s Región Oriental. It borders Paraguarí and Caazapá to the north, Itapúa to the east, and Ñeembucú to the west. To the south, the Río Paraná forms the border with Argentina’s Corrientes Province. This location between neighboring departments and the river provides a regional backdrop for the cultural and landscape themes found here.

San Juan Bautista is the capital of the department and is considered the birthplace of Misionera culture. The main festivals include Ovechá Ragüé, the Fiesta de la Tradición Misionera, and Batiburrillo. The festival names offer a distinctive way to experience regional culture; together with the capital, they form a prominent cultural center in the department.

The Museo Histórico Ambiental of the Entidad Binacional Yacyretá (EBY) in Villa Permanente de Ayolas preserves and displays cultural and natural heritage recovered from the area affected by construction work on the Yacyretá hydroelectric power plant. Exhibits include depictions of local wildlife, rocks, pre-Columbian objects from Indigenous peoples, antique furniture, and everyday objects from the area. The collection thus brings together natural history, traces of human life, and cultural heritage.

In Santa María, the Museo Diocesano de Arte Jesuítico displays sacred art in six themed rooms, including images of saints and scenes of the Nativity of Jesus and the Passion of Christ. The Capilla de Loreto, part of the Capilla Nuestra Señora de Loreto, offers a different perspective: Indigenous-created frescoes adorn its walls and sculptures, including a depiction of the Annunciation. In Santiago, the present-day Iglesia Parroquial houses Paraguay’s only complete Jesuit altarpiece. These three places represent different forms of sacred art and tradition.

Rivers and guided explorations

The rivers also offer different perspectives on the department. There are beaches along the Río Paraná, while bathing facilities are located on the Río Tebicuary in the northern part of the department. The beaches on the Paraná and the bathing facilities on the Tebicuary thus offer different ways to enjoy the water.

Yacyretá’s visitor program offers tours of the hydroelectric power plant and the mechanization work at Brazo Aña Cuá. Since tour operations and schedules may change, confirm your plans with the operator before you travel.

At Reserva Natural Isla Yacyretá, Sendero Akuti Po’i offers a guided tour at 8:30 a.m. It must be requested 24 hours in advance and arranged with the Centro de Recepción de Visitas. Availability and coordination requirements may change; confirm your plans with the operator in advance.

Plan your stay around your interests

When looking for a hotel in Misiones Department, it may help to consider what you want to focus on during your stay: sacred art and collections, river landscapes, or guided visits around Yacyretá.

Discover more destinations

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For the main travel overview: Paraguay.