From legacy to the future: Iguazú Jungle, the first resort hotel in Iguazú

His grandfather was the last manager of the historic Cataratas Hotel. His father was a symbol of Iguazú tourism. Alejandro Arrabal keeps the legacy alive. The Iguazú Jungle, one of the first lodges on the banks of the Iguazú River, but in the middle of the city of the Falls, is about to become the first all-inclusive resort, a first in Misiones' main tourist destination.

The traditional Iguazú Jungle Hotel is undergoing its biggest transformation since its opening: it will add 150 rooms, spa services, coworking, gastronomy, nautical activities, and a water park also accessible to locals. The project, which has been in development for over a decade, is being driven by Alejandro, the third generation of a family connected to tourism in Puerto Iguazú. The commitment is firm: to position the destination with first-class infrastructure without losing the soul of the Misiones mountains.

Although surrounded by the city, upon entering the Iguazú Jungle Hotel, you lose your bearings. The sounds are drowned out by the latent sound of the stream named Ramón Ayala, in honor of the legendary singer-songwriter who graced the hotel's nights with guitar riffs heard in the heart of the Triple Frontier. The forest, which has grown thanks to a reforestation plan, allows you to disconnect from the outdoors. The view of the river adds the perfect ingredient for a restful sleep.

Arrabal is leading this quiet but profound transformation: converting the traditional Iguazú Jungle Hotel into the city's first all-inclusive resort. This isn't just an ambitious investment, but an emotional, cultural, and family commitment.

“My grandfather was the last manager of the old Hotel Cataratas. He arrived when my father was a child. My father grew up in Iguazú, I was born here, and so were my daughters. We're now the fourth generation,” Alejandro says, with a mixture of pride and conviction. This lineage is the root of his project. His father was the one who dreamed of a different place, and he, who inherited not only the hotel but also the passion, decided to double down.

The history of the Iguazú Jungle isn't just written in numbers or square meters of construction. "That stream is magical; it transports you. And all the surrounding forest—we're now reforesting it to create a green space of eight hectares," he explains.

The environmental project is not an afterthought. In collaboration with a Mbya Guaraní community and the Ministry of Ecology, a native nursery was built that now supplies the species that will be restored to the property. This is a concrete way to mitigate the impact of the project and, at the same time, generate employment and local knowledge.

After nearly two decades of gradual growth and self-managed projects—"brick by brick," as Alejandro says—the Iguazú Jungle is moving toward its biggest transformation yet: a 150-room hotel with all the amenities of a world-class resort. The current 45 rooms will be joined by new units with a gym, spa, game room, coworking space, event rooms, and several restaurants.

But the jewel of the project is its own port on the river, which will allow for water activities such as canoeing, banana boating, adventure jetboats, and even a small beach with a bar. A second phase also includes a water park with slides and pools, open to guests and external visitors.

A model that relies on the heart more than on Excel

“You put together a business plan, calculate the return… but if you only look at it financially, you don't make it,” Alejandro admits. “This comes from the heart, from faith in Iguazú.” The investment, which began in 2010 after the death of his father, reflects a long-term vision. “We've been building for 12 years. Today we have nearly 10,000 square meters finished, but there's still more to do. The important thing is that we're doing it without losing the soul of the place.”

By the time this first phase is completed, the resort will provide direct employment to more than 200 people. And if the recreational harbor and water park are completed as expected, the economic impact will be even greater.

Alejandro isn't just staying on his property. He believes Iguazú should consolidate itself as a comprehensive destination, beyond the Falls. "Adding satellite attractions gives meaning to the destination," he says. That's why he also participates in the Association of Tourist Attractions, a rare but vital role in coordinating private and public efforts.

In the future, he dreams of a nautical connection between Iguazú and Posadas, uniting natural and cultural attractions across the Paraná River. "The province has impressive potential. We must show the world that we are a region with substance, with history, with folklore."

Not everything is simple. The economic situation is taking its toll. "We've lost competitiveness compared to Foz do Iguaçu. The exchange rate isn't in our favor, and it's reflected in the rates," he acknowledges. But he's confident that greater stability will allow the destination to recover the growth rate it's been experiencing since the pandemic.

"Foreigners still represent between 40 and 50% of our visitors, depending on the year. Iguazú needs to have its own traction, regardless of the asymmetries. And that's achieved with solid, high-quality products," he maintains.

At 52, Alejandro Arrabal is doing more than just building a hotel. He's projecting a vision. One that comes from his grandfather, that matured with his father, that is consolidated by his daughters, and that is irrigated by the waters of the Ramón Ayala Creek.

“This isn't done just with numbers. It's done with history, with roots, with love for the land,” he says. And perhaps that's the best definition of his approach: Iguazú Jungle isn't just a resort. It's a living heritage.

Juan Carlos Argüello

Journalist, director of Economis