Santa Ana: Nature Trails and Jesuit Heritage

Santa Ana brings together two distinct themes to guide your choice of destination: nature experiences at Parque Temático de la Cruz and the UNESCO heritage of Conjunto Jesuítico Guaraní de Santa Ana. The first centers on forest, natural viewpoints and an 82-meter-high cross; the second, on the water management of a reduction, which can be understood through its pond and canal system.

Nature and views at Parque Temático de la Cruz

Parque Temático de la Cruz is located in the town of Santa Ana. An elevator takes visitors to the arms of the 82-meter-high cross. The park covers 57.5 hectares of Misiones Province’s native forest, with water sources, native tree species, regional birds and natural viewpoints. The park also has footpaths and trails through the forest. Both the cross and the landscape with its natural features take center stage here.

Another option is the Biciturismo de la Cruz cycling route. It starts at the entrance to Parque Temático de la Cruz and ends at the Punto Panorámico Gruta Virgen de los Pobres viewpoint in Cerro Corá. Along the way, the route passes through gallery forests with watercourses and Urunday forests. Unlike the park’s footpaths and forest trails, the cycling route has a named starting point at the park entrance and an endpoint in Cerro Corá. Since operational details may change, check the latest route information before planning your trip.

Jesuit heritage and water management

Conjunto Jesuítico Guaraní de Santa Ana was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Its pond and canal system reveal how water was managed at a reduction. The World Heritage designation and the specific features of the water system offer two distinct ways to explore the complex.

More destinations in Candelaria Department

The broader area is Candelaria Department. Destinations there include Parque Federal Campo San Juan, with the Sendero del Bañado Yacutinga: the loop trail is 850 meters long and of moderate difficulty. Two birdwatching sites are located on the edge of the wetland. Also in Parque Federal Campo San Juan, the Sendero al Ingenio runs 2,700 meters in total as an out-and-back trail. It can be explored on foot or by bicycle and leads to a viewpoint with the remains of a chimney from Ingenio Azucarero San Juan.

At Cañadón de Profundidad, the Sendero Ombú takes approximately 20 minutes. In the municipality of Candelaria, Reducciones de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria are also among the attractions. The two trails in Parque Federal Campo San Juan differ clearly in length and route profile: the 850-meter loop is of moderate difficulty and has two birdwatching sites; the 2,700-meter out-and-back trail can also be explored by bicycle and leads to a viewpoint. These specific route details and destinations make it possible to compare options when planning a stay in Candelaria Department.

Discover more destinations: San Ignacio, Candelaria.

For the broader travel overview: Candelaria Department.