When you think of Argentina, the first things that come to your mind are Tango, Soccer, wine and maybe the Iguazu Falls. But did you know that Argentina hides a treasure that could be humanity’s last hope?
In the midst of the tremendous ecological crisis of the Amazon, I traveled to the second largest freshwater reserve on the planet: Esteros del Iberá
In this post you will discover everything you need to know before visiting this wonderful Natural Sanctuary that is one of Argentina’s best kept secrets.
What are the Esteros del Iberá?
The region known as the Esteros del Iberá (“water that shines” in Guaraní, the language of the natives), is a gigantic network of streams, brooks, swamps, lagoons and marshes that host a large number of ecosystems, and more than 4000 species of animals and plants.
In 1983 an area of about 12,000 km2 was instituted as a Natural Reserve by the Government of the Province of Corrientes, this contributed to the repopulation of typical species of fauna, until then threatened and persecuted for the value of their skins, their feathers or for esoteric uses in Macumba Rituals in southern Brazil (as in the case of the “aguará guazú” wolf water of the estuaries).
This area is considered a wetland of international importance since it is the second freshwater reserve on the planet (only surpassed in extension by the Pantanal region in the Brazilian jungle).
This means that in the event of a water shortage crisis, the Esteros could represent humanity’s last hope
Where to stay?
The main gateway to the Reserve is Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, a small village located on the shores of the Iberá Lagoon where a handful of Lodges combine harmoniously with adobe ranches where local families live by their ancestral traditions.
There are no Banks or ATMs. There are also no pharmacies (although there is a hospital)
All you will find in Carlos Pellegrini is a school, a small chapel, a square, a couple of warehouses and some handicraft stalls.
The village offers choices for all budgets, from camping to first-rate accommodations.
Most of the lodges offer a similar package consisting of:
3 nights accommodation in rooms with private bathroom,full board (breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner) and 4 expeditions (Night Jungle expedition+2 boat tours + trekking)
The price of the package is almost the same in all the lodges.
Although each lodge has its own style, they all have some characteristics in common:
- Delicious food
- One-to-one service (usually provided by their own owners)
- Beautiful green spaces with Paraguayan hammocks and armchairs to sit down to drink mate or read in the sun.
- Swimming pools
- Courtesy bicycles.
The wi-fi signal is weak but sufficient to communicate with your family a couple of times a day.
Almost all hotels choose not to have tv either in the rooms or in the lobby so that guests can relax completely.
What to do in the Esteros del Ibera?
Most packages include the following activities:
Boat trip: the best way to see the animals is from the water. In this tour the sighting of capybaras and yacaré is 100% guaranteed. And if you are lucky enough, you might find some deer from the swamp, which is a little more shy than the other animals.
If you’re wondering how many animals will you be able to see? The answer is: hundreds of animals. And the best part is that the boat gets very close to them so you can get the best pictures.
Night expedition through the jungle: when some animals go to sleep, others just appear, and during this night walk through the reserve you will be able to see them in action. Put on your jacket, turn on the lantern and launch into the adventure in the company of an expert guide. Surprise yourself with their eyes shining in the dark and meet face to face with little foxes, capybaras and even wild cats.
Trekking through the jungle trails: near the village there are several trails where you can discover countless species of flora and fauna. The main ones are “Caraya trail” and “ Montecito trail”. While you walk along the wooden walkways that penetrate the jungle, you may see the cute carayá monkeys playing among the treetops.
You can also bike around the village, go horseback riding or simply enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world from the camping dock.
My travel tips
- Try to visit the area out of the summer months, not only to avoid high temperatures and mosquitoes, but also because summer is the rainy season
- There are no banks or ATMs, so don’t forget to carry cash.
- There are no gas stations in the village (although you can get fuel which is sold in instalments).
- If you plan to go on a long weekend, plan ahead. There are only a few lodges and they fill up quickly.
- Bring repellent and sunscreen
- If you take any medication, take it from home since there are no pharmacies.
- Wear a raincoat and rubber boots (on boat trips it is inevitable to get a little wet)
- Wear binoculars to better observe nature
- Bring cards and board games to entertain yourself after dinner (most lodges)
- Bring your own supply of chocolates, candies, chewing gum and sweets because there is nowhere to buy
- Download some episodes of your favorite series to cell for offline viewing
- Stay at least two or three nights to enjoy the place, get to do all the activities available, and amortize the time it took to get there.
I would not recommend going on a one-day excursion, because time doesn’t pay off at all.
You are not allowed to fish so if that was the reason for your trip: forget about it!
All excursions require a good physical condition, so it is NOT a good destination for people with reduced mobility, nor for families with toddlers.
Buy several containers of Myelitus, a natural tonic based on carpincho oil, eucalyptus and honey, which is super effective for relieving sore throat (I got it in the store El Esquinazo)
Remember, if you are traveling to Argentina and you plan to visit the Iguazu Falls, you may want to save a couple of nights to discover this magnificent destination.
The Esteros del Iberá are such a relaxed, rustic and silent destination that they feel very much like a “spiritual retreat”
If you are thinking of visiting the Esteros del Iberá, do not hesitate to contact me. I will gladly provide you with additional information.
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To continue discovering the most beautiful destinations in Argentina I invite you to read the incredible post of #teamargentina here!
holidays without candies or chocolate would be just lame. I actually like the idea of being “cut off” for a weekend, sometimes it’s necessary to do it and go back to simple.
así que ojalá puedas ir pronto. Gracias por leer, por tu comentario y por tu apoyo constante!
Thank you for the tips and nice content. I will contact you if I have a chance to visit this place.