Candelaria Department: Nature, Trails and Cultural Heritage

Nature trails, protected areas and sites of Jesuit-Guaraní heritage come together in Candelaria Department. The destinations are spread across several municipalities and offer different highlights, from circular trails and viewpoints to historic sites. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth first considering whether you would like to focus mainly on scenery, outdoor activities, wildlife or culture.

Nature Trails and Viewpoints

At Parque Federal Campo San Juan in Santa Ana, several trails lead to different scenic spots. The Sendero al Cerro Bella Vista is 3,200 metres long as an out-and-back route and is easy. It leads to the highest point in the park, where two observation points are located. The Sendero del Bañado Yacutinga, by contrast, is an 850-metre circular trail of moderate difficulty. Two birdwatching points are located at the edge of the wetland. The circular trail can be accessed from the main trail or from the historic main house. The trails differ significantly in length, stated difficulty and destination.

The Sendero al Ingenio is a 2,700-metre out-and-back route leading to a viewpoint with the remains of a chimney from the Ingenio Azucarero San Juan. You can follow the trail on foot or by bicycle. The Sendero al Río Paraná offers a different highlight: it leads to a viewpoint on the park’s shoreline, with panoramic views of the park’s coast and Paraguay. The Sendero a la Cascada is 35 metres long and easy. Whether the waterfall can be seen depends on the water flow in the Arroyo Yacutinga; swimming is not permitted there.

Protected Areas and Wildlife

In Profundidad, Cañadón de Profundidad is a 19-hectare natural area that has been protected since 1992 and features geological formations, forest and waterfalls. The Sendero Ombú takes approximately 20 minutes. The Sendero Guabiyú in the canyon is also listed as taking approximately 20 minutes and is designed as a self-guided trail. The similar duration makes it easy to compare the time required; the self-guided format is an additional distinctive feature of the Guabiyú trail.

In the municipality of Candelaria lies Parque Ecológico “El Puma”, a 25-hectare multipurpose nature reserve. The site is dedicated to nature conservation, sustainable production, scientific research, environmental education and recreation. Since 2000, it has been home to a centre for the rehabilitation and breeding of wild animals. The centre cares for native species, rehabilitates them and releases them back into the wild.

In the wider region beyond the department, Reserva Natural Urutaú extends across the municipalities of Candelaria, Profundidad and Garupá. The 1,270-hectare area lies in the Campos y Malezales ecoregion. A total of 271 bird species have been recorded there, including the capuchino pecho blanco (Sporophila palustris) and the tordo amarillo (Xanthopsar flavus). Both species are internationally endangered.

Trails and Nature at Cerro Santa Ana

Parque Temático de la Cruz is located on Cerro Santa Ana, at 360 metres above sea level. The 57.5-hectare site includes native forest of Misiones Province, water sources, native tree species, birds of the region and natural viewpoints. A 600-metre trail passes through native forest and offers an interpretive route and a religious route; the religious route includes seven Stations of the Cross. At the Mariposario, you can watch butterflies in flight and learn about their complete life cycle. The road to the park, near the junction of Ruta Nacional No. 12 and Ruta Provincial No. 103, is fully paved.

Jesuit-Guaraní Heritage

The Conjunto Jesuítico Guaraní de Santa Ana is part of the transnational World Heritage site “Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis”. This World Heritage site includes the ruins of São Miguel Arcanjo in Brazil and, in Argentina, the ruins of San Ignacio Miní, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa María la Mayor. This places Santa Ana in a broader context that extends beyond today’s national borders.

In the municipality of Candelaria, the Reducciones de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria are also among the attractions. The Ruta Belgraniana in Misiones is established by Provincial Law VI No. 318 and corresponds to today’s RP 204, which connects Candelaria with San José. Historically, the route connected the reductions of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria and San José via intermediate stops, including the San Cristóbal chapel in what is now Profundidad. Costanera Andrés Guacurarí is also an attraction in the municipality of Candelaria.

Planning Your Trip: Highlights

When looking for a hotel in Candelaria Department, you can use your travel interests as a starting point: information about trail length and difficulty helps you compare routes, while the sites in Santa Ana, Candelaria and Profundidad offer different nature and culture experiences.

Discover more destinations: San Ignacio, Santa Ana, Candelaria, San Pedro, Leandro N. Alem Department, 25 de Mayo Department, El Dorado, San Ignacio Department.

For the broader travel overview: Misiones.