Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
moved to reveal a settlement that had over 7000 Guaraní inhabitants at its peak. The
enormous 140-sq-meter plaza attests to the importance of the settlement.
The muscular church's thick walls and photogenic strangler figs lend a dramatic effect
to what must have been a magnificent building, though none of its decorative embellish-
ments remain. To the right side of the church is the cemetery, which was used by villa-
gers into the later half of the 20th century but is now neglected. Behind the church, a
channel and reservoir remain from what was a sophisticated irrigation system.
in 1632, has fewer visible remains than Santa Ana, and you may feel it's not worth the
effort to visit via public transportation. The old adobe latrine and a chapel are partially
restored, but the jungle is king here again and it's difficult to interpret the tumbled mossy
stones among the trees. It's undeniably atmospheric, though. It was one of the more im-
portant missions; a printing press was built here - the first in the southern part of the con-
tinent.
Admission for both Loreto and Santa Ana is via a
joint ticket
(admission AR$70; val-
id for 15 days)
that includes San Ignacio Miní and Santa María la Mayor. Guided tours are
included in the admission price. The missions have small museums and kiosks at their
entrances.
Getting There & Away
Buses heading north from Posadas stop at the turnoffs on RN12 for both sites. Santa
Ana's is at Km1382.5, from where it's a 700m walk to the ruins. Loreto's is at Km1389,
with a 2.5km walk. It can be intensely hot, so take plenty of water. From San Ignacio, an
hourly bus (AR$10) leaves from the center to the turnoffs for both missions - some actu-
ally drop off at the Loreto ruins themselves. This makes it easy to see both in a day trip
from San Ignacio. You can get a
remise
from San Ignacio to take you to both, including
waiting time, for about AR$200.
Santa María la Mayor
Further afield, this is the fourth
mission
(RP2, Km43; 7am-7pm Oct-Mar, 7am-6pm Apr-
Sep)
on the joint admission ticket. A sizable plaza is the main feature, with the church
very ruinous. The settlement was a large one, with printing press and prison; the chapel is
a 20th-century addition. It's a relaxing place surrounded by jungle that's great for bird-
watching, with toucans and trogons easily spotted.
