Argentina
Moconá Jumps, another must-see from Iguazu!
The Saltos del Moconá in Iguazu combine the majesty of its waterfalls, with magical landscapes and adrenaline. Great if you are looking for fun!
The Saltos del Moconá give you an unparalleled experience in Iguazu, after the perfect combination between its waterfalls and the adrenaline rush of visiting this place. Although it is suitable for tourism, this scenario is less elaborated than that of the Falls at the infrastructure level, becoming a true exploration of the nature of Missions.
One more must-see of this destination, showing that this region of the province has many attractions to share. These jumps are among the nearly 254,000 hectares that make up moconá National Park. Located within the Yabotí Biosphere in San Pedro, it gives us activities full of fascinating landscapes and animals of the area.
Basically, it’s ideal for those travelers who love direct contact with nature, of course, without losing the comforts and safety, which is guaranteed within the Park. The Saltos del Mononá are the jewel of the place. Its water falls provide a unique spectacle with its vastness and abundance of flow.
It is important to mention that although these jumps are located on Argentina, the visit is through Brazil soil, along almost three kilometers of extension of falls with heights of between 8 and 12 meters. It’s really fascinating to see the jumps that simulate a so extensive water curtain that sometimes you don’t see the end!
The experience is very different from the one you live in Iguazu, and is an excellent complement for a holiday of lots of nature and fun.
HOW TO GET TO THE MOCONÁ JUMPS?
It can be reached from both Iguazu and Posadas, the capital of the province of Misiones. The trip is a little longer from Iguazu, but you may prefer it that way, as you can stay in Puerto Iguazu and take advantage of a day to get to know the Falls (one of the seven wonders of the world).
For cases like this, we offer travel itineraries that mix several destinations in Iguazu, including Las Cataratas and Saltos del Moconá. There are a variety of options for this destination through packages that mix air tickets, transportation, excursions and accommodation. This is just one of the advantages of booking with travel agencies.
The journey from Iguazu takes about 4 and a half hours, through a route of about 420 kilometers. In contrast, the journey from Posadas takes just over 3 and a half hours, transiting about 280 kilometers. In both cases, for the distance, we recommend that you dedicate a full day to the visit and not schedule it for the days of arrival and one way (first and last day of your stay).
If you are going to visit only the Iguazu Falls, we suggest that you take the tour from there in the day or, if not, stay one night in Moconá. If you have plans to continue the journey, e.g., to Esteros del Iberá, you can do so from Posadas as the journey is a little shorter.
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES IN MOCONÁ
The visit to Moconá National Park offers –mainly– 2 types of activities. The first is the tour of the traditional trails and circuits, which allows you to see jumps from different angles while walking between the local habitat and crossing paths with local animals. All this, in the middle of the vegetation of the area, composed of tree ferns and tacuara bushes.
The second activity, unskippable in the Saltos de Moconá, is the navigation aboard specially equipped boats with experienced guides, who take us through the most important waterfalls of the place.
WHAT CLOTHES TO WEAR TO THE MOCONÁ JUMPS?
Having a weather similar to the one of Iguazu, we have to consider the same clothing: light and fresh clothing, ideally sleeveless for torso and shorts, shorts or underwear.
It’s also very important to wear non-slip shoes, comfortable and preferably a must on your suitcase. Don’t forget a couple of extra stockings.
If you plan to do the navigation through the Saltos del Moconá, it is important to carry a backpack with a change of clothes and a towel, as you surely end up a little wet after the visit.
Also there must be a hat, sunglasses, insect repellent and sunscreen in that backpack! For a better reference, check out our article on which clothes to bring for your trip to Iguazu.
Where to stay to get to know the Saltos del Moconá?
Despite not having a wide range of hotels, in the Saltos del Moconá surroundings there are some ideal accommodation options to spend a night near the National Park. An excellent option is the Moconá Virgin Lodge. It offers all the comfy things you’re looking for in a resting space, as it is settled in the missionary jungle and it’s also perfectly integrated with nature.
The experience of staying at this hotel surrounded by the local wildlife is unforgettable. In addition, it is very close to the Saltos, which means that it is an ideal alternative to make the most of the visit to Moconá. However, we recommend staying one night in Posadas and making the visit from there or, better yet, from Iguazu.
As mentioned above, the day trip can be made from both cities. In one of our itineraries we offer it from Posadas. However, from Iguazu it’s also an excellent alternative, after its hospitality and gastronomy. If you want more options for your stay, you can check out this top 10 of the best hotels in Iguazu.
SOME EXTRA TIPS FOR VISITING THE MOCONÁ JUMPS
Consider that, in the Saltos del Moconá, you will be able to carry out nautical activity with children from 2 years of age and older. On the other hand, navigation can be done by children from the age of 12 and older at Iguazu. It is a very fun activity to enjoy as a family.
Unfortunately, the Park cannot be visited every day because access depends on the level of the Yabotí stream. To get there, you have to cross a bridge that, on flood days, is underwater. This happens when it rains a lot or when the water dams open in Brazil, so before embarking on the trip it is advisable to inform the tourist agency.
With regard to when can you travel to Moconá? We tell you that the temperature is pleasant all year round, so there are no better or worse seasons to vacation in this destination. However, you should consider that it is a very humid region and in rainy season rainfall usually causes the flooding of the river, preventing access to the park. In this sense, it is recommended to check the weather conditions and possible scenario near the date of travel.
The truth of the case is that the Saltos del Moconá are another of the unskippable natural attractions of Iguazu where fun does not wait and it’s great for a family adventure! Remember that there are itineraries and travel packages that contemplate the visit to this place, combining with the also incredible Iguazu Falls. Contact our specialists in traveler assistance, it will be a pleasure to help you plan a super vacation in Missions!