Gruta India — Attraction in Municipio de Garuhapé

Spectacular place — and although it’s a popular local tourism spot, it’s virtually unknown to international visitors. Let’s get to the point: here’s what you need to know before visiting (you’re welcome):

What it is: A municipal park belonging to the town of Garuhapé. It covers a large protected area surrounding the Arroyo 3 de Mayo stream. The park includes visitor facilities (see below), a paid parking area, and common visitor zones (you only pay the entrance fee).

Attractions: The heart of the park is the 3 de Mayo Waterfall and the natural lagoon it creates, where swimming is allowed. On the edge of the lagoon is the Gruta India, a large cave divided into an archaeological restricted area and an open front area for visitors. To the left of the bridge, a path leads to the Interpretive Forest Trail, a 475-meter walk through native forest where the main tree species are labeled, and you get a view of the waterfall from above. On the opposite side, there’s a small Interpretive Center, where murals present scientific information about the area’s biology, archaeology, and management. In front of the center, a short staircase leads you to the top of the waterfall, another swimming spot.

Fauna and flora: lots of butterflies, some birds, and MANY lizards — especially large specimens of the Argentine black and white tegu.

Facilities: The park offers four main options: 1. Camping cabins; 2. Motorhome area; 3. Covered barbecue kiosks; 4. Open picnic tables (with grills but no roof). Each has a different price (see below). There’s also a small snack bar, but it’s best to bring your own food, as the place is quite remote. Potable water and public restrooms (with showers) are available, no extra tax.

Prices (October 2025, in Argentine pesos): General entrance: 3000 ARS (2000 for Garuhapé residents) Parking: cars – 1500; motorcycles – 2000; trucks/buses – 4000 For meals: Covered barbecue kiosks: 3000 / Open tables with grills (no roof): 3000 / Motorhome: 10,000 / Camping (per day): 6,000.

How to get there: if you have your own car, it’s simple — take Ruta 12. There’s a huge entrance gate on the right-hand side of the road going from Alcázar to Garuhapé. From the gate, it’s 6 km of dirt road, clearly signposted and easy to drive.

Getting there by public transport: Here’s where things start to get rough. It’s trickier but still doable. Start early from nearby towns — Eldorado/Montecarlo (north) or Capioví/Garuhapé (south). While several bus companies pass along Ruta 12, almost none stop at the park entrance. As far as I know (and from experience), the only reliable company is Argentina de Transporte, locally known as Argentinitos. Their buses leave Capioví at 05am, 10am, and 5:20pm (always delayed), pass through Garuhapé, and stop at the Gruta India gate - 3800 ARS.

For the return trip, catch one of those buses heading toward Eldorado or Garuhapé (the last one passes sometime after 17:00, though locals say it can be up to an hour late). I’ve also seen buses passing in font of the entrance gate, toward Montecarlo–Garuhapé, around 2:20pm and 3:15pm. Outside those hours, try waving down any passing buses — especially Horianski or Crucero del Norte — but it’s hit-or-miss since this isn’t an official stop. From the entrance gate (where all this bus business happens), it’s still a 6 km walk (about 1 hour) along a dirt road to the park itself. Don’t count on getting a ride — Argentinians aren’t too keen on giving lifts. But trust me, it’s worth it.

That’s it — have...

Hay lugares en Misiones que considero que si o si debes conocer, las Cataratas del Iguazú, los Saltos del Moconá, El Salto Encantado, el Parque del Teyú Cuaré y por supuesto la Gruta India. Es un lugar mágico, lleno de Historia y aparte de unos saltos hermosos tiene la Cueva más grande y más asombrosa de Misiones. El lugar tiene todo, lugar para acampar, parrillas, mesas quinchos baños y hasta cabañas hermosas con todas las comodidades. Cómo cosas a cambiar creo que si bien el camino es muy accesible sería bueno que lo asfalten, y también sería bueno que pongan una antena para que haya señal de celular por cualquier emergencia. Algo que leí y me entristeció mucho es que los restos de las comunidades aborígenes que vivían ahí se llevaron a Buenos Aires y la verdad no entiendo por qué lo hicieron, creo que hubiera sido genial que las conserven en el lugar. Hacer un pequeño museo para que la gente los...

Hermoso lugar, tranquilo, rodeado de naturaleza, con un sendero pequeño por recorrer, la gruta, el arroyo y su salto que son un gran atractivo... se puede acampar, hay cabañas, baños en buenas condiciones, hay proveeduría/bar con buenos precios, asadores y mesas, etc... precios accesibles para la estadía... negativo? El cemento que cruza el arroyo, que si bien es para la comodidad, arruina el lecho de ese monumento natural... baños con bastante olor a orín, sobre todo en las duchas y faltaba un poco de limpieza tal vez... y en la proveeduria un poco de vueltas y falta de chispa para vender, pedí 3 y 3 empanadas y por ser 3 y 3 me la querían cobrar por unidad en vez de 1/2 docena, o sea el precio se duplicaba, salía $5200 la media y por unidad $1800, como si fuera un problema echar al aceite caliente empanadas de distinto relleno... la atención del lugar en general...