Orchid Houses - Other Activity Puerto Iguazú - Argentina

Argentina has 285 species of orchids, 200 of which are in Misiones Province and 85 in Parque Nacional Iguazú. Take time out to smell the flowers at one of Puerto Iguazú’s orquidiarios, or orchid houses, which nurse flowers into life. The most well-known orquidiario is Orquidiario del Indio Solitario, which cultivates 40 native varieties (8 a.m.-6 p.m. Jangaderos 719. Entry: free). Right next door is Orquidiario Reserva Misionera, a smaller orchid nursery (8 a.m.-6 p.m. Jangaderos 729. Entry: free).

Some orchids are pollinated by hummingbirds. To learn more, visit the Casa de Picaflores, a hummingbird refuge (9-11:30 a.m., 3-6 p.m. Fray Beltrán 150, Tel: 54-3757-424-081, E-mail: jardindelospicaflores@hotmail.com. Entry: $1.50).

Location:
Puerto Iguazú, Argentina

Other Activity

Getting There

The orchid houses are near the Hito Tres Fronteras. Walk down Avenida Tres Fronteras to Santa Fe. About 500 meters (0.3 mi) down is Calle Jangaderos; turn right. Alternately, take a city bus ($0.40) and get off at Santa Fe. The Casa de Picaflores is a few blocks from the bus station.

Travel Tips:

The best time to see the orchids in bloom is August-October. There are several other orchid nurseries in the same neighborhood.

Relative price: Free

Travel Skills: beginner/easy.

You Need to Bring:

If walking, protect yourself against the sun (hat, sunblock) and take water.

Check out the city’s museums and murals. Explore the indigenous communities, botanical garden and other sights along Ruta 12. Take a boat trip on the rivers. Daytrip out to the semi-precious stone mines in Wanda. And, of course, visit the national park and Iguazú Falls.

Currencies accepted
Argentine Peso

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By Lorraine Caputo

Upon re-declaring her independence at age 29, Lorraine Caputo packed her trusty Rocinante (so her knapsack's called) and began...

Updated: 30 Jun 2010