Posadas is a pleasant, small, accessible city in Misiones province in the Mesopotamia region of Argentina. It makes a nice break on the long ride between Iguaçu Falls and Buenos Aires.

Get in

Direct non stop half hour flights from Jorge Newbury Airport in Buenos Aires or you can take a comfortable overnight sleeper bus from Retiro Station in Downtown Buenos Aires, this trip lasts approximately 9 to 10 hours.

Fivefold cheaper than the bus, "The grand captain" train operates two times per week from Buenos Aires Federico Lacroze railway station to Posadas. 98/155 pesos one way tourist/premier class. For more informations visit http://www.sateliteferroviario.com.ar/horarios/posadas.htm. However, due to a dispute between the train operator and the State, this service was suspended from the start of 2012. It has been replaced by a different service, using much smaller trains, at a vastly increased price (270 pesos per person as on 13 February 2012). There is also a reduced service, with only one weekly departure (Sunday). Apparently the trains were designed for regional services, not long-distance travel, so this is a stop-gap solution and the situation may develop in the future.

Travellers from Uruguay can, for instance, take the bus from Salto to Concordia. This trip takes approximately 1 hour and costs 85U$ (06/2012). Immigration is done during this bus trip. From Concordia in Argentina take a bus or night bus to Posadas or Puerto Iguazu. This trip takes about 12 hours and can cost $150 (semi-cama w/o service) - 400 (cama w/ service) Argentine pesos (06/2012). From Posadas, a 5 hour bus trip to Puerto Iguazu costs $90 Argentine pesos (06/2012).

Get around

In town you will find plenty of taxis and buses but the best way to get around is on foot.

See

Parque República del Paraguay, La Bajada Vieja, Botanic Garden, La Costanera riverwalk, Palacio del Mate, Anfiteatro Manuel Antonio Ramírez, and the local museums.

Do

There is a lovely walk along the river which can even be romantic in the evening. Depending on weather conditions it is possible to see the glittering lights of Encarnacion in Paraguay then. Don't forget to enjoy the Maté, Argentina's popular beverage. Although the first taste will be an unusual flavor for newcomers, it is a haunting taste that beckons you back time and time again.

Same day Paraguay Visa

The Paraguay Consulate in Posadas, Argentina is in a small, orange, old colonial house a couple of blocks from the town center at 179 San Lorenzo Street(the street numbers were changed but the locals still prefer the old numbers - the new number is on the 1500 block) between Santa Fe and Sarmiento streets. There is no sign on the building just a Paraguay flag(red, white, and blue broad stripes) hanging in front with the old street address number 179. I entered the air-conditioned consulate on a Monday morning and there were just a few people inside and I didn´t wait more than a minute, not like the chaos at the consulate in Buenos Aires. The requirements for American citizens are to get 3 photocopies for each of the following: 1. Passport Info Page 2. Argentina Entry Stamp(in Passport) 3. A credit card(only front side) 4. Roundtrip Transport (it appears you can´t just buy a bus ticket to Encanacion from Posadas - in the unlikely event they do require proof of onward travel you could book a tour to the Jesuit Ruins just 30k inside Paraguay from one of numerous travel agents in Posadas)

In addition to the above you need to give them 3 passport photos which you can get along with the photocopies at a shop right next door for US$4.

A single entry visa cost US$65 and a multiple entry visa costs US$100 in cash only and they provide change.

You then fill out a simple one page personal info form(if you make a mistake and cross anything out like I did you will have to fill out a new form) After about an hour he will ask for your right thumb print on three pages which you will also sign.

Even though there was a Yellow fever outbreak in Paraguay there were no requirements or even notification. You can get a free yellow fever shot at the hospital two blocks from the bus station in Encarnación, after you cross the river into Paraguay.

Whole process can take around 2 hours. Frequent(every 10 minutes) and crowded local Bus is clearly marked ¨Argentina - Paraguay¨ in front) for 6 Argentine pesos just a couple blocks south of the town center to Encarnacion, Paraguay.

Buy

Beautiful artesanal objects handmade by the Guarani Indians. You can find them at Plaza 9 de Julio in downtown Posadas.

Eat

Along the city's riverwalk, populary known as "La Costanera", there are plenty of great restaurants like Doña Chola, La Ruedita, Barlovento, just to name a few. Most of these restaurants have a wonderful view of the Parana river.

Drink

The most popular bars in the city are: Bocatto, Español, Bahia, Vittragge, Mentecato, Status and Barlovento.

• Al-Arak. This restaurant has two locations: one on the "Costanera" and the other in the city center. The location in la Costanera has Arabic and Mexican cuisine, while the one in the center has only Arabic food. On Christmas Eve 2009, with all the restaurants closed, the owner and his family invited my girlfriend and I to free lomo with mushrooms, chicken, quilmes and champagne. The food was delicious and I recommend it to anyone passing through Posadas. 

Sleep

Hotel Continental, Hotel Posadas, Hotel Libertador, Hotel Julio Cesar, etc. Complejo La Aventura is for those who prefer to be in direct contact with nature.

• Hostel Vuela el Pez, 25 de Mayo 1216. Very friendly, laid back hostel about ten minutes walk from centro, and close to the bars and restaurants on the waterfront. Decent kitchen (outdoors) and friendly, helpful staff (though not all speak English). Chilled reggae and hip hop from their nice soundsystem in the common area/quad. Free internet and wi-fi, TV with DVD player and cable in the lounge, small and poorly managed swimming pool. Neighborhood can get noisy on weekends, so try to avoid the dorm facing the street. Breakfast not included. Dorms AR 59$ privates AR 150$ (shared bathroom). 
• Hotel Residencial Misiones, Felix de Azara 1960 (Two blocks south of main square). Check-out: 10AM. Ar$120 for double room; Ar$140 with AC. 

Go next

Encarnacion in Paraguay is a frequent, crowded, and cheap (6 ARS/6,000 PGY - US$1.25) local city bus ride away which you can catch from the town center. From Encarnacion bus terminal you can take a bus the Jesuit Missions of Trinidad and Jésus about 40 minutes away (7,000 PGY), or onwards to Asunción, 5-7 hours (~70,000 PGY).

Esteros del Ibera can be reached by hiring a private 4x4 with driver for ~1,000 ARS one way. A slightly cheaper option is taking a bus to Virasoro (1,5 hours - 34 ARS/person) and get a car from there ~700 ARS.