Misiones is Argentina's finger of subtropical rainforest, squeezed into the far northeast corner where the country meets Brazil and Paraguay. It's home to Iguazú Falls, one of the great waterfall systems on the planet: as many as 275 individual cascades spread across a two-and-a-half-kilometre cliff line, throwing up spray you can see from the walkways well before you're close enough to feel it. Red dirt roads, thick jungle canopy and the constant hum of cicadas make this feel like nowhere else in the country.

Most travellers base themselves right at the falls for an early crack at the walkways and a decent chance of spotting toucans or capuchin monkeys in the trees on the way. But the wider province is worth spreading a trip across too. Yerba mate country, riverside towns and the odd gem mine are all within a few hours' drive. Wherever you land, there's a stay to match: jungle lodges with their own plunge pools, simple guesthouses in town, or a proper hotel with a pool and air-con if you just want to cool off after a day on the trails.

Where to stay in Misiones

• Iguazú: the falls are the whole reason most people are here, so this is where the jungle lodges and Puerto Iguazú town cluster. Base yourself here if you want to be on the first walkway shuttle before the tour buses arrive. See stays in Iguazú
• Capital (Posadas): the provincial capital, sitting on the Paraná River with a long riverside costanera for an evening walk. A good base if you'd rather have a proper city, an airport and plenty of restaurant choice than jungle isolation. See stays in Capital
• Apóstoles: known as the yerba mate capital of the province, with plantations you can tour and a much quieter, cheaper pace than Iguazú. See stays in Apóstoles
• Oberá: another yerba mate hub, sitting in the province's mate-growing belt with plantation and processing tours nearby. See stays in Oberá
• Montecarlo: a small, relaxed town on the Paraná River, known locally for its botanical garden. A handy stopover if you're driving the province rather than flying straight to the falls. See stays in Montecarlo

How much is Misiones accommodation?

Expect to pay from around AU$28 a night at the cheap end in Misiones, climbing well past AU$450 for the top jungle lodges right by the falls. Here's roughly how the tiers break down:

• Backpackers/Hostels: from AU$28 per night. Dorm beds or basic private rooms, mostly in Puerto Iguazú town, fine if you're only sleeping between falls visits.
• Budget hotels/Guesthouses: from AU$90 per night. Simple private rooms with breakfast included, an easy walk to restaurants and tour desks.
• Mid-range/Apartments: from AU$150 per night. Air-con rooms and a pool, often a short drive into the jungle rather than right in town.
• Boutique: from AU$230 per night. Smaller lodges with real character, a pool and more personal service.
• Luxury/Resorts: from AU$450 per night. Private villas or suites, spa treatments, and sometimes a private guide included in the rate.

Top-rated hotels in Misiones

• Awasi Iguazú: just 14 private villas strung along the Iguazú River, each with its own plunge pool, plus a private guide and 4x4 included for the length of your stay.
• Loi Suites Iguazú Hotel: elevated wooden walkways run through the treetops to connect the rooms, and there's an adults-only pool right on the riverbank.
• La Aldea de la Selva Lodge: jungle cabins linked by pathways through the rainforest, with a tiered pool that spills over its own small waterfall.
• Falls Iguazú Hotel & Spa: spread across six hectares of jungle grounds with its own spa and two pools, about 15 kilometres from the national park entrance.
• Mercure Iguazu Hotel Iru: a jungle-set pool, gym and spa without leaving Puerto Iguazú, handy if you want resort comforts close to town.

Tips for finding the perfect accommodation in Misiones

• Decide falls-side or town-side first. Staying right by the national park saves you the drive for an early start on the walkways, but Puerto Iguazú town and Posadas work out cheaper and give you more choice for dinner.
• April to September is the more comfortable season, cooler and less humid, so the better jungle lodges book out ahead of time. Lock in your stay early if you're travelling in that window.
• Planning a side trip to the yerba mate plantations around Apóstoles or Oberá, or the amethyst caverns at the Wanda mines? Both are a couple of hours' drive from Iguazú, so it's worth basing yourself more centrally in the province if you want to fit them in without long return drives.
• Check what's actually included before you book. Smaller lodges outside town often bundle breakfast and an airport transfer into the rate, which can make up for a higher nightly price than a bare-bones hotel in town.
• Pack for humidity and rain any time of year, and look for a pool and covered walkways between buildings if you're travelling with kids. The jungle heat hits hardest in the middle of the day, so no worries if you plan around it and do the walkways early or late.

Flying in? Check flight options to Argentina before you lock in your stay, since Iguazú and Posadas both have their own airports connecting through Buenos Aires. See flights to Argentina