The visitors center has two hiking trails, the best of which is the Sendero Curupí, which winds through the bush for 2km and offers the chance to spot…
Parque Esteros del Iberá
This stunning 44,479-acre (18,000 hectare) wetland reserve is home to an abundance of bird and animal life, and is among South America's finest places to see wildlife. Although tourism has increased substantially in recent years, Los Esteros del Iberá remains comparatively unspoiled.
Donations of tracts of land by the late American conservationist Douglas Tompkins and his wife Kristine have seen the boundaries of the park expanded from the original provincial reserve to include four new national park zones to form the Gran Parque Iberá.
The main base for visiting the park is the sleepy village of Colonia Pellegrini, 74.5 miles (120km) northeast of Mercedes. With the creation of the new Gran Parque Iberá, which adds several stretches of national park to the existing provincial park, a number of alternative access points have been developed that offer differing landscapes and experiences. Rural estancias in the larger area also make enticing bases.
Explore Parque Esteros del Iberá
- CCentro de Visitantes San Nicolás
The visitors center has two hiking trails, the best of which is the Sendero Curupí, which winds through the bush for 2km and offers the chance to spot…
- MMuseo Histórico
Set in the old church, this museum has fairly interesting displays on the history of the region. Check out the balsa, a small boat made of cow's hide that…
- VVisitor Center
The reserve's visitor center, on the Mercedes side of the causeway, has a good exhibition on local wildlife (in Spanish) and an audiovisual presentation…
- BBalneario Cacique Irá
On the outskirts of town, this scenic lagoon has a grassy bank dotted with thatch huts and wooden recliners and is a popular spot for swimming and…
- MMirador
Climb this simple wooden tower at the edge of town on the lakeshore to spot capybaras and observe the local birdlife.
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Parque Esteros del Iberá.
See
Centro de Visitantes San Nicolás
The visitors center has two hiking trails, the best of which is the Sendero Curupí, which winds through the bush for 2km and offers the chance to spot…
See
Museo Histórico
Set in the old church, this museum has fairly interesting displays on the history of the region. Check out the balsa, a small boat made of cow's hide that…
See
Visitor Center
The reserve's visitor center, on the Mercedes side of the causeway, has a good exhibition on local wildlife (in Spanish) and an audiovisual presentation…
See
Balneario Cacique Irá
On the outskirts of town, this scenic lagoon has a grassy bank dotted with thatch huts and wooden recliners and is a popular spot for swimming and…
See
Mirador
Climb this simple wooden tower at the edge of town on the lakeshore to spot capybaras and observe the local birdlife.
Guidebooks
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