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Yacutinga Jungle Lodge
Yacutinga Lodge is an environmentally friendly Lodge and Private Wildlife Nature Reserve located in the heart of the Argentinian Rainforest, surrounded by the Iguazu National Park. The Lodge can be reached easily from Puerto Iguazu (Argentina) or Foz do Iguazu (Brazil). . Yacutinga is located 80 km far from Iguazu, access is by unpaved roads.
Yacutinga Wildlife & Nature Reserve still maintains richness in bio-diversity, far away from massive tourism concentration. You can enjoy diverse out-door activities with a soft adventure and eco-tourism focus, such as; canoeing, biking, bird-watching or walking which will provide you with a variety of information unlocking the mysteries and peculiarities of the Rainforest.
The Lodge buildings follow smoothly with the natural step of the terrain and maintain harmony with the surrounding jungle. Local materials, such as stone and large wood pieces gathered from naturally fallen trees, have been incorporated into the general architectural concept, conforming this concept to the wilderness of the area. Only 4 hectares of the 570 total have been used for the facilities of the lodge and special care has been taken to use only naturally fallen trees. An absolute minimum of forest has been disturbed to accommodate the buildings. The main building which contains the reception, an indoor restaurant, an inside garden and a terrace bar provides a special atmosphere enhanced by the Palmetto palm forest formation which surrounds the whole place. Descending the impressive wooden stairs from the main building you arrive at the central botanical garden with its two open-air restaurants, the pool, a vegetable garden (the Lodge is self-efficient in terms of food supplies) and the main self-guided cat-trail (an elevated wooden walkway suspended in the trees) allowing you to enjoy and observe the canopy of the surrounding native forest from a unique perspective.

The facilities consist of 10 separate sleeping areas called "Butterflies" (due to the amazing variety that congregate here), spread through the forest around the common areas. Each Butterfly contains four private suites, all with the comfort of 42 sq. meters. The suites provide split-level accommodations with rustic details comprised of an entrance porch leading up to a sitting area and bedroom and further up to the bathroom. Each suite has private facilities (shower / tub) with 24 hour warm water. During winter-time, wood stoves provide heating in remembrance of the colonial period. Nice jungle views are common to all suites, providing a relaxing environment, in-touch with the "green". There are a total of 40 suites of which 6 are doubles (queen bed), the other 34 are twins. Triple occupancy may be booked on request.

From the very beginning the Yacutinga Lodge project was concerned with both having a low impact on the environment, while providing excellent tourist services. We have achieved these two different concepts by following a sustainable development philosophy, focused on:
  • The responsibility of managing one of the last untouched private rainforest reserves.
  • Employment of local labor to provide environmental education and income to our neighbors.
  • The prohibition of hunting and all other nature spoiling activities.
  • The development of native flora seeding programs, to re-insert endangered plant species.
  • The performance of wild-fauna re-breeding programs, to re-locate native species in other areas.
Considering the philosophy of Yacutinga Lodge, we have enhanced our efforts to diminish our effects on the environment by using recycling and alternative energy systems:
  • Drinking water is very pure at the Lodge. A well, 85 meters deep has reached the second nap of our red clay latheritic underground soil providing the best potable drinking water.
  • Hot water for showers is provided by solar heated tanks. On days when the weather does not permit this, heating is assisted by a natural gas system.
  • To reduce energy consumption we have designed a recycling water system for the pool. Using tropical rainfall we keep the pool clean by recycling this natural fresh water collected by the huge roof of the main building. During rain-forest storms, the collected water flows over the 2 garden waterfalls to the pool at an average rate of 400 lts./min. The rain water then exits the pool along with floating debris (fallen leaves), is filtered and finally flows at the same rate up to the compost store area where it is again naturally filtered and re-used.
  • A separate waste-water recycling system is designed to clean water used by showering, hand washing or vegetable washing. This water goes through an engineered gravel marsh planted with various rain-forest swamp plants. Waste-water flows into the gravel marsh and saturates it. Within hours the marsh is drained and filled with air, changing the balance between aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
The buildings have been designed to use nature to maintain a comfortable temperature. The earth remains about 15 to 17 C. cool throughout the year while the air temperature can soar to 30 C. or more in the clearing. By shading and digging we have harnessed the earth's natural cooling abilities. Cool ground air in the shade is drawn up from under the structure through natural convection currents which are enhanced by the thermal pull of the hot zone created at the top of the roofs by the solar water tanks.
Our energy requirements are provided by batteries which can be recharged by solar power. We use a solar array facing the northwest to maximize this solar gain. However, due to the variable weather conditions of the rainforest and the fact that at full capacity, about 2200 watts/hr energy is needed, a diesel generator is operated sparingly and quietly. To minimize this need we kindly ask that you conserve electricity thoughtfully while you are staying at Yacutinga.
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The food that they  serve is all organic and locally produced with vegetables and fish farmed on the reserve, fruits picked from the wild, milk from our cows, and eggs from our chickens. Local farmers provide the remainder of our food needs at busy times.
                        3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS PACKAGE

Day 1 - At 2:30 pm transfer from Raíces Argentinas (Argentina) in a mini-bus through the "Ruta 12" and the Urugua-I Provincial Park. Then navigation in motor-boats on the Iguassu river until the main port of the lodge. During this ride the guide will explain some details and curiosities of the rain-forest. Upon arrival jeep transfer through the Yacutinga Wild Life Private Reserve to the Lodge. The combination of various means of transportation provides a great start as this allows the visitor the opportunity to "melt" in a comfortable way with the wonderful natural world of wild fauna. Check in and briefing about the place , the system of the Lodge and activities. At dusk wild fauna observation. Welcome dinner and overnight.

Day 2 - Early breakfast and short hike to the San Francisco river and canoeing through the quiet waters, ideal for photo safari. This canoeing tour is very secure and simple, the water of the river is gentle and it goes down current. The possibility exists to observe wild fauna from a very close distance, since fauna is more active in early morning. Return to the Lodge. Lunch. Afternoon escorted wild life excursions to the various observation trails and at the early evening visit of one of the observation towers for night games with scopes, binoculars and strong spotlights. Return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 3 Breakfast and time for track scouting, listing (complete checklist of viewed fauna) , packing and relaxing at the pool area. Self guided tours at the hanging "passarelle"and the "orchid's trail" . Farewell brunch and transfer back to Raices Argentinas (Argentina) leaving at 12 pm, arriving at 1 pm.
2024 Price per person in US$:   
standard suite - single = $900, double  = $699, triple = $699 
Matei suite - single = $1030, double  = $830 

- drinks during meals are not included.
- Yacutinga Lodge does not accept children under 10 years old
- there are no facilities for visitors in wheelchairs

​Price per person for round trip transfer to Raices Argentinas from Brazil hotel = $207 for 1, $105 for 2, $70 for 3.
The Yacutinga people people pick up passengers at 2pm at Raices Argentinas on the Argentine side of the falls and return them there at 1pm. We provide transfers from Iguassu and depart from hotels about 45 minutes before Yacutinga pickup time, in order to cross the border and go through immigration procedures.
       Yacutinga, Nature and Guaraní
​                  Culture (3 nights)

Three nights including the navigation through the waters of the Jungle, hikes exploring the wonderful and colorful details of this environment, sharing experiences with representatives of the Guaraní Community, who have decided to share their history and to show the Jungle to us from their cosmovision.The result is a very nice relation and we decided to integrate this Community more into the eco-touristic concept of Yacutinga following modern rules of responsible and sustainable tourism. With pride we present you this new itinerary, ideal for all visitors wishing to enjoy the Misiones Jungle in a genuine and comfortable way.
This new Program of 3 nights includes the navigation through the waters of the Jungle, hikes exploring the wonderful and colorful details of this environment, sharing experiences with representatives of the Guaraní Community, who have decided to share their history and to show the Jungle to us from their cosmovision. The best itinerary to enjoy and to be dazzled with the Misiones Rainforest before or after the traditional visit to the Iguassu Falls.

Day 1 – Puerto Iguazu – Yacutinga Lodge
14.00 hrs. Encounter at Raíces Argentinas. Luggage dispatch.
14.30 hrs. Departure towards Yacutinga Lodge. During the drive the naturalist guide will give information on the characteristics of this “Misiones” jungle.
17.00 hrs. Arrival at Yacutinga Lodge. Reception and welcome.Luggage distribution to the assigned rooms.
19.00 hrs – Presentation: The jungle and its conservation state. Through this presentation the guide in charge will explain to the new guests the environmental situation of the ecosystem they are visiting. Questions & answers.
20.30 hrs. – Dinner at the Lodge. Overnight

Day 2 – Yacutinga Lodge – Reserva Privada Yacutinga.
A.M. Early breakfast. Excursion “waters of the jungle”: slow navigation on calm waters, ideal for fauna observation, photography and simply enjoying the landscape.
12.30 hrs. Lunch at the Lodge. Time off for personal activities or self-guided trails close to the Lodge.
P.M. Departure before sunset to one of the introductory trails of the Yacutinga Reserve, with the idea of visiting this environment at a time where maximum fauna activity is present. Return to the Lodge.
20.30 hrs. Dinner at the Lodge. Overnight.

Day 3 – Yacutinga Lodge – Reserva Privada Yacutinga
A.M. Breakfast and eco-tour “Exploring the Jungle” of the Yacutinga Reserve. The early hours are the best for better registration and observation. Nature is interpreted in its whole. Flora, orchids, bromeliads and other epiphytes. Fauna: mainly birds and their behaviors.
12.30 hrs. Lunch at the Lodge. . Time off for personal activities or self-guided trails close to the Lodge.
P.M. Start of the “Guaraní afternoon”. - The representatives of the Guarani community Kagui Pora, will show us how they use the resources the jungle for their own subsistence. Use of medicinal plants and traps.
Return to the Lodge at mid-afternoon.
At the fire-place the Caburé will be prepared , a typical Guaraní dish based on corn and wild honey. Preparation of the Mate Tea in its traditional form. Time to chat with the Guarani’s. Their life , their customs and actual social situation..
- Chorus of the Guaraní children. Some ritual songs will be presented. Translation and content.
20.30 hrs. Dinner at the Lodge. Overnight.

Day 4 - Yacutinga Lodge – Reserva Privada Yacutinga
A.M. Breakfast . The guest is invited to plant a tree in our recovery area .
9.00 hrs. Check-Out
10.00 hrs. Departure towards Raíces Argentinas.

​INCLUDED SERVICES
• 03 overnights at Yacutinga Lodge with breakfast.
• 03 dinners
• 02 Lunches
• Transfer Port Iguazu/ Yacutinga Lodge/ Port Iguazu , departing 2.30 p.m. from our meeting point “Raices Argetninas” . (Please be at the meeting point 30 minutes before departure in order to check you luggage properly).
• 01 Half day Ecotour paddling through the waters of the Jungle.
• 01 Half day Ecotour through the interpretational trails of the exclusive Yacutinga Reserve.
• 01 Nocturnal Ecotour (2 hrs aprox.) to “feel” the Jungle at night.
• Guarani Afternoon – to provide you the contact with our Guarani native neighbors.Their Culture and Cosmovision.
• Entrance fee to the Yacutinga Reserve included.
• Environmental guide during the itinerary for a maximum of 12 guests.
2024 Price per person in US$:   
standard suite - single = $1170, double  = $906, triple = $906
Matei suite - single = $1359, double  = $1082 

- drinks during meals are not included.
- Yacutinga Lodge does not accept children under 10 years old
- there are no facilities for visitors in wheelchairs

Price per person for round trip transfer to Raices Argentinas from Brazil hotel = $207 for 1, $105 for 2, $70 for 3.
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