Access: From the Access portal
Duration: 25 min.
Difficulty: No stairs
Accessibility: High
Hours: 8:00 to 17:45
An Eco–Museum that familiarizes the visitor about the habitat protected in Iguazu Nacional Park detailing the biodiversity of the jungle, and the store and culture of the region. The Interpretation Centre, also known as the Visitor´s Centre, took the name "Yvyrá Retá" which in the Guarani native language means "The land of the trees", although an exact translation is “the place of the trees” as their language does not include the word land.
The Visitor’s Centre is located in the new visitor´s reception area approximately fifty meters from the Access portal. It is equipped to help the public learn about and reflect on different subjects, such as: general aspects and history of the region, concepts regarding its nature like climate and geology, valuable resources that are not immediately noticeable such as endangered species, and conservation challenges.
The Centre is open every day of the year, adjusting its hours of operation according to the time of year. It depends on personnel from the Administration of National Parks and volunteers to receive visitors, but also has a self-guided set tour which you can follow. The information inside is divided into two rooms, one concerning biological diversity, and the other addressing the relationship of man with the jungle.
The visitor begins the route by passing through the left room, where they can find information about the great biological diversity of the jungle, set out in the following way:
- The co-existence of the enormous diversity of animals and plants in the jungle; and how life favours diversity.
- The wide variety of insects that can be found here.
- In addition to vinyl panels, there are also sculptures of different animals made from plaster and resin, to make the visit even more interesting.
The second room offers information in a chronological sequence, beginning with the groups that inhabited the jungle, the need to conserve and protect the environment, and the important work of the National Park to expand community consciousness, leaving a message that man’s most precious and valuable resource is nature.
In this room you can also appreciate elements that were contributed by the Guarani communities, such as musical instruments, traps, and a canoe.
Because of all of this, one would think that it is important that all visitors should pass through the Interpretation Centre before beginning their routes along the different circuits. Therefore, the “Yvyrá Retá” Interpretation Centre can be thought of as the “leader” of the pathways, waking the curiosity and awareness of those who a moments away from experiencing this natural-cultural bond.
The visitor can also return to the Interpretation centre before leaving the Iguazu National Park in order to deepen their understanding and appreciation of those experiences that caught their interest.