Yerba Mate Route, a Journey Through South American Ancestral Culture

Image: Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay offer their visitors enjoyable thematic routes dedicated to maté. (Photo via urbazon / E+). ((photo via urbazon / E+))
Image: Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay offer their visitors enjoyable thematic routes dedicated to maté. (Photo via urbazon / E+). ((photo via urbazon / E+))
by Valentín Fuentes
Last updated: 7:00 AM ET, Sat November 12, 2022

Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay offer their visitors interesting thematic routes dedicated to maté. This product has been consumed in the region for millennia and is symbolic of South America's cultures. The enormous veneration these three nations have for maté, which they enjoy in tea, has allowed the routes dedicated to knowing their history and cultural value to be very popular with national and foreign tourists.

Travelers from all over the world know about their origins and cultural importance in various tours that take them through the most critical regions of production through a lush nature where, in addition to knowing the facilities of the production factories, they have the opportunity to perform ecotourism activities and enjoy rich gastronomic that includes food based on maté, as well as a variety of typical products of the region.

In Argentina, the main routes are in the provinces of Corrientes and Misiones, regions that produce the best maté in South America. These routes allow tourists to tour various plantations where producers show the characteristics of the crops. In addition, the region's industries know closely the craftsmanship done to obtain the best product quality. In addition, along the route, tourists visit restaurants, bars, and confectioneries with menus made from maté that include tasting dishes, desserts, and many kinds of drinks. Lovers of ecotourism find in the different routes the ideal place to enjoy activities such as camping, cabins, eco-lodges, and rustic hotels, among others, to enjoy the rich ecosystems that live around the maté plantations.

From a cultural point of view, the ancient history of maté is so rich that there are several museums where tourists can learn about the use that the natives of the south of the American continent have given to this appreciated herb since the Guaraní culture (Paraguay) used the leaves as a drink, object of worship and currency of exchange. In addition, they considered it of great value for providing the energy necessary to endure long walks in the jungle. The museums include samples of containers, thermos, documents, books, and hundreds of pieces related to this sacred drink.

In Uruguay, the tours offer horseback riding, hiking, canoeing, tasting, and forest activities in the most distinctive Uruguayan communities where maté is produced and located in the Departments of Tacuarembo and Cerro Largo, government-protected natural areas.

Meanwhile, in Paraguay, the Route Ka'a Rape, maté in the Guaraní language, offers tourists an adventure through the departments of the center and south of the country, in which they enjoy an extraordinary nature that allows them to appreciate different ecosystems, as well as cultural tours where they know about the customs and traditions of the cultures producing this mystical product.

Paraguay has countless tours specially designed for visitors interested in the culture and origin of maté production. Along the way, travelers can see old and modern planting techniques. It covers the populations of Captain Miranda, New Alborada, Trinidad, Obligado, Bella Vista, Captain Meza, Trinidad, and Hohenau, among many others.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Valentín Fuentes

Co Editor - Mexico & Latin America

Valentín Fuentes is a journalist who, over three decades of professional work, has ventured into various areas of communication...

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Watch Now!
Close to Home, Big Opportunity: Selling Today's Domestic Travel TrendsThursday, July 30, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for a webinar exploring the growing demand for...
Watch Now!
July Classic Vacations WebinarThursday, July 30, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Save your spot for this upcoming webinar! Details coming soon!
Upcoming Webinar
Fiesta Americana Travelty Collection, What Advisors Need to KnowThursday, August 6, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Stay ahead with the latest updates from Fiesta Americana Travelty Collection, featuring upscale...
Watch Now!
Close to Home, Big Opportunity: Selling Today's Domestic Travel TrendsThursday, July 30, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for a webinar exploring the growing demand for...
Watch Now!
July Classic Vacations WebinarThursday, July 30, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Save your spot for this upcoming webinar! Details coming soon!
Upcoming Webinar
Fiesta Americana Travelty Collection, What Advisors Need to KnowThursday, August 6, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Stay ahead with the latest updates from Fiesta Americana Travelty Collection, featuring upscale...