Comunidad Jasy Porã, Puerto Iguazú Travel Guide

Comunidad Jasy Porã, meaning 'Beautiful Moon' in Guarani, offers a unique opportunity to learn about the Mbya Guarani people and their ancestral traditions. Located in the Iryapú Natural Reserve, a few kilometers from Iguazú National Park, the community welcomes visitors to understand their beliefs, relationship with nature, and rituals.The community consists of over 60 families who live in harmony with the surrounding environment. Visitors can take a guided tour led by community members, which typically lasts for two hours, or four hours if lunch is included. The tour includes a walk along an interpretive trail where you can see traditional traps, learn about medicinal plants, and visit the "Opy," a temple where shamans perform rituals. The tour concludes with a youth choir performing traditional songs. You can also opt to share a typical meal prepared by the women of the community.One of the highlights is the community's native plant nursery, certified by the National Institute of Seeds (INASE) as a Producer Area of Native Species Seeds, the first indigenous community in the province and the country to achieve this. The community also has a permanent fair where they display and sell their handcrafted products, made with materials obtained from the natural environment. These include wood carvings of animals, woven baskets, and necklaces and bracelets made with seeds. A visit to Comunidad Jasy Porã provides insight into the Mbya Guarani's cosmovision, their respect for nature, and their efforts to preserve their cultural heritage.