The Aripuca

The Aripuca is a 17-meter-high and 30-meter-diameter structure, built entirely with logs salvaged from land clearing or recovered from sawmills. This building, which replicates at a giant scale the traditional trap used by Guarani peoples to hunt without harming animals, functions as an environmental interpretation center in Puerto Iguazú. Its design aims to highlight the scale of deforestation in the Misiones rainforest and promote a shift in awareness regarding the responsible use of natural resources.

The tour allows visitors to closely observe the diversity of tree species used in its construction, many of which are centennial specimens that are no longer easily found in the forest. Walking through its interior, visitors can appreciate the technical complexity of the structure, which stands without nails or screws, relying solely on the precise joinery of the logs. The experience blends with the surrounding jungle environment, offering a space for reflection on the region’s forestry history and the importance of conserving biodiversity in the province of Misiones.