Corrientes’ Best-Kept Secret: Walking Among Palm Groves and Wetlands in Mburucuyá National Park

When we think of nature in Corrientes, the famous Iberá Wetlands usually take centre stage. But just a couple of hours from the provincial capital lies a natural sanctuary that has nothing to envy them and offers a much more intimate and untouched experience: Mburucuyá National Park.

This park has a beautiful story behind it. The land once belonged to the renowned Danish botanist and doctor Troels Pedersen and his wife Nina, who dedicated their lives to studying and protecting the incredible biodiversity of the area. With an immense love for the land of Corrientes, they donated their “Santa Teresa” estate to create this national park, ensuring that this paradise would remain protected forever.

What to do in Mburucuyá: Trails that will steal your heart

The magic of this place lies in its easy self-guided trails, where low difficulty meets overwhelming beauty. The park is a perfect transition between three ecosystems: the Espinal woodland, the Humid Chaco and the Paraná rainforest.

Yatay Trail: This is the park’s most iconic walk. It begins at the historic main buildings of the old estate and takes you through a dense palm grove filled with majestic Yatay palms. At the end of the route, a unique reward awaits: a wooden walkway and pier extending into the Santa Lucía Wetland. Sitting there and listening to the silence of the wetlands is a truly magical experience.
Che Rogá Trail: A slightly longer circuit that runs alongside lagoons filled with waterbirds and areas of tall grassland. It is the perfect place to sharpen your senses and get your camera ready.
Wildlife Photography Safari: Mburucuyá is an open-air zoo where animals live completely free. If you walk quietly, you are almost guaranteed to encounter entire families of capybaras, yacarés sunbathing by the water, charming black-and-gold howler monkeys high in the treetops and, with a bit of luck, perhaps a brocket deer or marsh deer. For birdwatchers, it is a true paradise, with more than 150 species flying throughout the area.

If you are looking for a destination to escape the concrete, connect with the warmth of Corrientes’ woodland and experience nature in an authentic, rustic way without crowds, Mburucuyá is waiting for you with open arms.

Geographical location: Central-west Corrientes Province, Argentina. The protected area is located around 25 kilometres from the town of Mburucuyá.

How to get there: From Corrientes city (around 175 km), take National Route 12 and National Route 118 to Saladas, then Provincial Route 13 to Mburucuyá, and finally Provincial Routes 6 and 86 (a gravel and dirt road) to the park’s Operations Centre. By public transport, you can take a bus from Corrientes or Saladas bus terminal to the town of Mburucuyá, and from there hire a local taxi service for the remaining kilometres to the entrance.

Opening hours: The protected area and its trails are open to visitors every day from 07:30 to 20:00.

Climate: Humid subtropical climate. Summers are extremely hot, humid and rainy (with temperatures exceeding 40°C). Winters and springs are cooler and drier, making them ideal for comfortable hiking.

Price: General admission costs $25,000. For Argentine residents the price is $12,000, for residents of Corrientes Province it is $8,000, and for students it is $10,000. Children under 5, pensioners and people with disabilities enter free of charge.

Recommended duration: One full day is ideal for completing the main trails at a relaxed pace and having lunch inside the park. If you are passionate about wildlife photography or birdwatching, you can dedicate two days to the experience.

Type of activity: Ecotourism, hiking, birdwatching, wildlife photography and historical-cultural tourism.

Best time to visit: From April to October (autumn, winter and early spring). During these months, temperatures are pleasant for walking in the sunshine and insect activity is considerably lower.

Requirements: No prior booking is required. It is essential to register with the park rangers upon arrival at the Visitor Centre. The park has a basic camping area and small supply facilities, but bringing your own provisions is highly recommended.

Tips: Bring comfortable closed footwear for walking, light long-sleeved clothing to protect yourself from branches and the sun, a hat, sunscreen and plenty of insect repellent. Don’t forget your refillable water bottle. As an extra recommendation, always check with the park rangers about the condition of the rural access road (Provincial Route 86) if there has been rain in the days before your visit.