Brazil - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 364

Portugal, a state of affairs ended by the
1750 Treaty of Madrid when the missions
became definitively Portuguese; this led
to the Guarani War of 1756, devastating
the region (and dramatized in the film
he Mission ).
The best place to base yourself is the
town of SANTO ÂNGELO in the far
southwest of the state, where there is
a cluster of accommodation options
around Praça Rio Branco. The most
accessible and best of the missions is
SÃO MIGUEL ARCANJO (daily 9am-noon
& 2-6pm, Oct-Feb to 8pm; R$5;
W

the small Museu das Missões (same
times) and a kitschy nightly light show
(Aug-Feb 9pm; March & April 8pm;
May-July 7pm; R$9) brings the story of
the Jesuits to life.

GETTING AROUND
By bus 8 daily buses run from Porto Alegre to Santo
Ângelo (7hr 30min). 4 daily buses run the 53km southwest
from Santo Ângelo to São Miguel (1hr).

ACCOMMODATION
There are also decent options in Santo Ângelo.
Missões Hostel T 55 3381 1202, W pousadatematica
.com.br. Next to the São Miguel Arcanjo ruins is an excellent
themed hostel, which has d orm ro oms as well as doubles
and a pool to relax in. Dorms R$52 doubles R$106

missoesturismo.com.br), founded in
1687 in the village of São Miguel da
Missões. Guided tours are available, and

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