The Puerto Peninsula Natural Reserve is just 30 minutes from Awasi Iguazu, our Relais & Chateaux lodge in Northern Argentina.
Covering 17,000 acres (6,900 hectares), Puerto Peninsula is a protected area we have recently started using for private excursions with Awasi guests.
Puerto Peninsula is a rich part of the Misiones Jungle with species such as the caspi squash, the prickly pear and the ihvirá or caraguatá.
There are also dense patches of palm trees and rosewood, heliconia as well as thickets of tacuaruzú, the largest of the region’s native cane plants.
The area is ideal for hiking and biking, and also has a wooden deck for yoga and sound healing classes.
Yoga at the Awasi Iguazu Natural Spa. Photo @luciano.bacchi.foto
Home to a large variety of flora and fauna, 2,000 species of butterflies have been registered in the area – 800 species appearing during the day, whilst the rest are nocturnal.
Inspired by talk of sighting of six different jaguars in the area, the Awasi guides placed hidden cameras to see if any larger creatures prowl around Puerto Peninsula…
A jaguar passing one of the Awasi Iguazu hidden cameras.
Sightings can be difficult, but many guests see fresh prints in the clay underfoot.
Unlike in Patagonia where the puma live on the open Steppe, here in Iguazu the dense habitation of the Atlantic Rainforest provides plenty of cover for the jaguar.
Guests at Awasi Iguazu stay in one of 14 villas built on stilts in the jungle canopy.
Awasi Iguazu – Relais & Chateaux
Each room at all three Awasi lodges has its own private guide and 4×4 vehicle so guests can explore at their pace according to their interests.