Best Seller4.6·Puerto Iguazú·4h 30m
Half Day City Tour Puerto Iguazú Hoteis na Selva de Iriapu
History and culture in Foz do Iguaçu
From€96.88€96.70
per person · min 2
Top Deal
1 / 10San Ignacio Ruins Plus Wanda Mines Full Day from Puerto Iguazú
(3)
Puerto Iguazú, ArgentinaCultural ToursDay Trips & ExcursionsBus & Minivan ToursCity ToursNature Tours
Instant confirmationSecure checkoutNo hidden fees
About this activity
Combine two iconic northeastern Argentina attractions in a single 12-hour journey: explore the meticulously preserved 17th-century Jesuit mission complex at San Ignacio Miní, then descend into the Wanda gemstone mines to see amethyst, turquoise, and crystal deposits in their natural state. This full-day excursion offers rare insight into colonial religious architecture and geological heritage rarely covered in standard Iguazu Falls itineraries.
You will have the experience of enjoying two incredible places:
San Ignacio Miní stands as the best preserved Jesuit Mission of the 16th and 17th centuries throughout the Argentine territory. Around the main square, you find the Church, the “Casa de los Padres”, the cemetery, the houses and town hall. Native stones and large pieces of red sandstone were used to build San Ignacio city.
And the Wanda Mines is a great place especially known for its deposits of precious stones, turquoise, amethyst and rock crystal. Since 1976 they have become a tour for all those who come to these distances known as the Jungle region.
Highlights
- ✓San Ignacio Miní mission church with original red sandstone architecture and intact colonial settlement layout
- ✓Guided tour of underground Wanda Mines with amethyst, turquoise, and rock crystal deposits
- ✓Casa de los Padres (priests' quarters) and cemetery ruins showing 17th-century Jesuit settlement patterns
- ✓Jungle landscape and subtropical environment between Puerto Iguazú and the mining region
- ✓Opportunity to purchase gemstones directly from mine shops at source prices
Insider tips
- ★Visit San Ignacio early in the tour when energy is high—the mission site has minimal shade and can be hot midday
- ★Bring cash for gemstone purchases at Wanda Mines; prices are lower than tourist shops in Puerto Iguazú but haggling is expected
- ★The mines involve walking on uneven underground paths—wear sturdy closed-toe shoes with good grip, not sandals
Good to know
- •12-hour day includes 2–3 hours driving between Puerto Iguazú and both sites; plan light breakfast before pickup
- •Wanda Mines tour involves descending into active mine tunnels—claustrophobic travellers should notify guide in advance
- •Sunscreen and hat essential for San Ignacio mission exploration; limited facilities on-site
- •Most tours include basic entrance fees; gemstone purchases are separate
Who it's for
History buffs interested in Jesuit colonial architecture and missions in South AmericaGeology and gemstone enthusiasts wanting direct access to working minesCultural travellers seeking alternatives to standard Iguazu Falls itinerariesPhotographers drawn to ruins and unique geological formations
Best time to visit
Visit May–September (dry season) when roads are passable and heat is more manageable. Early morning departure maximizes daylight for photography at the mission's ornate stone structures.
Frequently asked questions
Available
From€85
per person
