Foz do Iguaçu is considered one of the most sought after destinations in Brazil and the world, according to TripAdvisor. Attracting tourists from all over the world, the most acclaimed tourist spot is one of the 7 wonders of the world, the Iguaçu Falls, which is located on the border between Brazil and Argentina.
Speaking of Argentina, our brothers are also very loved by travelers who visit our region, and it's no wonder, the Argentine territory has an incredible history and surprising culture, which can be easily appreciated very close to Foz do Iguaçu. Get ready to discover the precious Argentine route that pleases everyone who visits the Triple Border.
WANDA MINES
History
The Wanda Mines are the result of a volcanic lava spill thousands of years ago that broke through the great crystalline massif of Brasília/BRA and reached Isla Martín García/ARG. The lava was not expelled to the surface, remaining underground, coming into contact with water and silicon. When coming into contact with water, air bubbles form in the rocks and due to heat and pressure, the molecules will neatly enter into the process of crystallization, forming precious stones.
The name Wanda comes from the Polish colonization in the place, paying homage to Princess Wanda, daughter of the Polish king Krakus – the founder of Krakow.
Hit the road!
Leaving Foz do Iguaçu, more precisely from the Tarobá Hotel – the best 3-star hotel in the region, the travel time is approximately 1h6min with normal traffic, with a distance of 60.9km to the mines. Regarding the highways, don't worry, the road is very well paved.
Tour Itinerary
Arriving at Wanda Mines, you will be taken by a bilingual guide to visit an old open-air exploration area that, to preserve the quality of the stones, no longer has exploration and extraction activities.
When arriving at the underground mines, tourists tend to feel some discomfort due to the low light at the entrance of the tunnel, but when they go a little deeper, it is possible to find some relics, being able to witness the brightness and contrast of the 52 varieties of precious stones 200 meters below. of the surface. Explosions to mine stones bring an extra thrill to tourists, as with each detonation there is a surprise as to which stone will be found.
After exploring and extracting the stones, they are separated and sent to a gemological center, where they will be evaluated and transformed into jewelry and decorative items.
At the end of the tour you will find a Stone Museum, which displays and sells jewelry and articles from the precious ores of the Wanda Mines, which attracts a large audience. Each stone has some properties and symbolism, such as amethyst – known for exchanging negative energies into positive ones, or cetrine – a stone that brings abundance.
It is still possible to take a short trail to a local indigenous tribe and expand your experience in Wanda Mines. At the end of the tour, taste beautiful Argentine dishes at a local restaurant.
Agenda, values and documents
The entire tour lasts an average of 1h30min and booking must be done at least 1 day in advance (if there are no reservations, availability will be checked).
Be careful with documents! All visitors must carry original documents with photo (ID or Passport), in good condition and within validity (10 years of issuance).
Professional cards such as OAB, CRM and Military are not accepted, only the documents mentioned above.
Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by their parents or guardians, otherwise they must have a judicial border authorization document.
Clothing is also important! Wear simple, light clothing, such as pants and a regular t-shirt. Opt for closed, adherent shoes.
The tour to Wanda Mines takes place every day, from 8:00 to 18:00 and the cost is approximately 50 pesos per person. Visiting prices and times may differ from one agency to another. IMPORTANT: the tour is for at least 2 people, if the tour is individual, the cost of two tickets will be charged.
RUINS OF SAN IGNÁCIO MINÍ
History
San Ignácio Miní was built in mid-1687, a settlement of Indians led by Jesuit priests, considered the largest group of all 30 that will exist. The groups were called reductions and occupied a territory that we currently know as part of the northwest of the Rio Grande of the South, part of Paraguay and part of Argentina.
The old reduction, where today only ruins remain, had 7.400 Guarani residents, with some houses having up to 5 families each.
Administration was delegated to local priests and chiefs, forming the Cabildo – the name given to the municipal corporations established in Spanish America during the colonial period that were responsible for the general administration of colonial cities.
In a privileged geographical position, San Ignácio Miní began to be built in 1735, taking 10 years to complete. The buildings were built to last through the decades, resisting invasions, fires, storms and human intervention itself.
The ruins of San Ignácio Miní were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983, and today they are protected by Federal Legislation for all 37 hectares of area.
Here we go!
Now that you know a little about the history of the ruins of San Ignácio Miní, just put your backpacks in the car and go on the adventure. Leaving the Tarobá Hotel, it is 252km away, taking approximately 3h28min to travel. Argentine highways are well paved and signposted, however travel time may vary depending on traffic.
Tour Itinerary
Arriving at the ruins of San Ignácio Miní you will find a reception. There you can watch a presentation video and you can even hire the services of a guide, essential for you to fully enjoy your tour.
Inside the archaeological site you can visit the Lúcio Costa Museum and enjoy the indigenous artistic works, which differ from the European standard. The baroque style applied by the indigenous people is noted in the sculptures of the saints, where the faces were rounder, bringing greater resemblance to indigenous faces.
At night, visitors can watch the Sound and Light Show. The ruins are illuminated especially for the dramatization in the voices of Fernanda Montenegro among other great Brazilian artists. The show takes place every day and is not interfered with due to weather conditions, starting at 21:00 pm and lasting 48 minutes. Entrance costs R$5,00.
The ruins of San Ignácio Miní are open for visits every day, including weekends and holidays. Opening hours are from 9am to 18pm, but summer opening hours are extended until 20pm. The entry fee is R$5,00.
Clothing, documents and accessories
As the place is open and the climate is normally subtropical in the region, we advise visitors to wear comfortable and basic clothing: a t-shirt, pants or shorts and shoes, preferably closed and without heels. Check the weather conditions for the date of your visit. Bring insect repellent, sunscreen, mineral water and a hat/cap with you. It's interesting to already have Argentine pesos ($ARS) for meals and shopping for souvenirs.
Regarding documents, for Brazilians, bureaucracy is simpler. Take with you original, valid documents (up to 10 years of issuance) and with a photo (ID or passport). Professional cards such as OAB, CRM and Military are not accepted. Children up to 5 years old are free if accompanied by their parents. Minors unaccompanied by parents or guardians must have judicial documentation of border authorization authenticated by a notary.
Canadians and Australians must pay a reciprocity fee in advance to enter Argentina. More information on the website: http://reciprocidad.provincianet.com.ar
Now that you have all the information you need to make the most of your visit to Argentina and the Triple Border, guarantee your stay in the best 3-star hotel in the region – Tarobá Hotel. We guarantee your comfort with maximum quality and the best savings! Contact us and book the room that best meets your needs. Count on us always!
