Wanda Mines and San Ignácio Ruins (Foz/Puerto Iguazu)

Wanda Mines and San Ignacio Ruins offer a captivating journey through the natural and cultural heritage of Foz do Iguaçu and Puerto Iguazú. Visitors can witness the extraction of semi-precious stones at the operational Precious Stone Mine, followed by a delightful lunch and exploration of the UNESCO-listed San Ignacio Ruins. This tour provides a unique opportunity to explore the region’s Jesuit history and uncover the rich cultural significance that has shaped the area. What secrets might these sites hold, waiting to be discovered?

Key Points

• This tour offers a comprehensive exploration of the natural and cultural wonders in Foz do Iguaçu and Puerto Iguazú, including guided visits to Wanda Mines and San Ignacio Ruins.
• The 10-hour adventure features tunnels with semi-precious stones, workshops, and a Stone Museum, as well as a lunch break in San Ignacio and a visit to a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The tour is available in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, with round-trip transportation included from central hotels in Puerto Iguazú and Foz do Iguaçu.
• Highlights of the tour include exploring an operational Precious Stone Mine at Wanda Mines and discovering the historical significance of the San Ignacio Ruins.
• The tour offers a well-rounded experience, combining an active mining operation and a preserved historical site, providing a unique blend of natural and cultural wonders.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview

The Wanda Mines and San Ignacio Ruins tour offers a comprehensive exploration of both natural and cultural wonders in the Foz do Iguaçu and Puerto Iguazú region.

It’s a 10-hour adventure that takes visitors through the Wanda Mines, featuring guided tours of tunnels with semi-precious stones, workshops, and a Stone Museum.

After a lunch break in San Ignacio, the tour continues with a guided exploration of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing the history of the Jesuit missions.

Available in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, the tour includes round-trip transportation, guide services, and entrance to the Wanda Mines, with the option to purchase tickets for the San Ignacio Ruins separately.

Itinerary

The tour begins with pickup locations at central hotels in Puerto Iguazú and Foz do Iguaçu, with other locations such as Airbnb accommodations needing to be arranged in advance.

The first activity is a guided tour of the Wanda Mines, exploring tunnels with semi-precious stones, workshops, exhibition rooms, and a Stone Museum, lasting approximately 1.5 hours.

Travelers then enjoy a 1-hour lunch break in San Ignacio, with meal options starting at 8,000 pesos.

The tour continues with a 1.5-hour guided visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Ignacio Mission, showcasing Jesuit history.

Highlights

Exploration of the operational Precious Stone Mine at Wanda Mines offers a unique glimpse into the region’s geological heritage.

Visitors can enjoy the historical significance of the San Ignacio Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases the legacy of the Jesuit missions in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.

A captivating didactic animation system featuring sound and light enhances the cultural experience, providing an engaging and educational tour.

The tour combines the contrasting elements of an active mining operation and a preserved historical site, offering a well-rounded exploration of the area’s natural and cultural wonders.

Inclusions and Exclusions

The tour includes round-trip transportation, guide service, and an entrance ticket to the Minas de Wanda. Plus, the ecotourism tax is covered.

However, the entry ticket to the Ruinas de San Ignacio must be purchased separately at the attraction.

The tour excludes:

• Lunch and other meals
• Personal expenses
• Optional activities or souvenirs

Participants are advised to bring valid identification, wear comfortable clothing and shoes, and apply sunscreen and insect repellent.

A craft and souvenir store is available at the Minas de Wanda site.

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Important Information

Participants must bring valid ID or passport, as copies or digital documents aren’t accepted.

Comfortable shoes and clothing are recommended, as well as bringing water and snacks. Applying sunscreen and insect repellent is also advised.

A craft and souvenir store is available at Minas de Wanda for those interested.

The tour operates regardless of weather, with an approximate return time of 8:30 PM, subject to traffic and customs procedures.

Pickup Locations

The tour offers pickup locations at central hotels in Puerto Iguazú and Foz do Iguaçu.

Other locations, such as Airbnb accommodations, must be arranged in advance.

The pickup options include:

• Central hotels in Puerto Iguazú
• Central hotels in Foz do Iguaçu
• Other locations, which require prior arrangement

Guests will be transported from the pickup location to the Wanda Mines and San Ignacio Ruins, and then returned to the same pickup point at the end of the tour.

Activities

The tour begins with a guided exploration of the Wanda Mines, where guests spend approximately 1.5 hours traversing the tunnels and examining the semi-precious stones, workshops, exhibition rooms, and the on-site Stone Museum. Following the mine visit, the group enjoys a 1-hour lunch break in San Ignacio, with meal options starting at 8,000 pesos. The afternoon continues with a 1.5-hour guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Ignacio Ruins, showcasing the history of the Jesuit missions in the region.

Activity	Duration
Wanda Mines	1.5 hours
Lunch Break	1 hour
San Ignacio Ruins	1.5 hours

The tour culminates with a return to the original pickup locations, arriving back around 8:30 PM, subject to traffic and customs procedures.

Drop-off Locations

At the end of the tour, guests are dropped off at the same central hotel locations in Puerto Iguazú and Foz do Iguaçu where they were picked up.

This ensures a seamless and convenient start and end to the day’s adventure. If guests had arranged for pickup from other locations, such as Airbnb accommodations, they must make these arrangements in advance.

The tour operator provides the drop-off service to the designated pickup points, allowing travelers to continue their journey with ease.

• Pickup and drop-off at central hotels in Puerto Iguazú and Foz do Iguaçu
• Guests staying at Airbnb or other locations must arrange pickup/drop-off in advance
• Tour operator provides transportation back to original pickup points

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?

Yes, you can bring your own food and drinks on the tour. The tour overview suggests bringing water and snacks, though meal options are available during the lunch break.

Is There an Age Limit or Requirement for Children?

There is no stated age limit or requirement for children on this tour. Children are welcome to participate, but their participation and supervision are the responsibility of their parent or guardian accompanying them on the tour.

Do the Tour Guides Provide Any Equipment or Materials?

The tour guides provide visitors with all necessary equipment and materials for the activities, such as helmets and flashlights for the Wanda Mines exploration. No additional equipment is required from participants.

Can I Extend or Customize the Tour Duration?

The tour duration can’t be extended or customized. It’s a set 10-hour itinerary including visits to the Wanda Mines and San Ignacio Ruins. However, pickup and drop-off locations can be arranged in advance if they’re not the central hotels.

What Should I Do if I Need to Use the Restroom During the Tour?

The tour operator typically provides restroom breaks at designated stops along the itinerary. Guests can communicate their needs to the guide, who will accommodate restroom breaks as necessary during the scheduled activities.

Recap

The tour of Wanda Mines and San Ignacio Ruins offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural and cultural heritage of the Foz do Iguaçu and Puerto Iguazú region. Visitors can witness the extraction of semi-precious stones and enjoy the rich Jesuit history of the San Ignacio Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This captivating journey provides a comprehensive insight into the diverse attractions of the area.

You can check if your dates are available here: