A heady mix of ancient history, natural beauty and flamboyant festivals features in Argentina’s hot and humid Mesopotamia region. Be inspired by thundering waterfalls, spot exotic wildlife, experience indigenous traditions and relax at sleepy riverside resorts. Mesopotamia sits sandwiched between two mighty rivers, the Río Paraná and Rió Uruguay, and is covered with subtropical rainforests and wetlands. It includes the provinces of Misiones, Corrientes and Entre Ríos.
Straddling the Río Iguazú in Misiones province, and shared between Argentina and Brazil, is the UNESCO-protected Iguazú National Park. Come here to admire the 275 individual waterfalls that make up the Iguazú Falls. Follow trails to panoramic lookouts, ride on a speedboat beneath a cascade and see wildlife such as toucans and monkeys. Access the Brazilian side of the park via a short drive from the town of Puerto Iguazú.
Tour the towns of Misiones to appreciate the province’s diversity. Find a gemstone mine in Wanda, flower-filled gardens in Montecarlo and colonial architecture in Oberá. Visit 17th-century Jesuit ruins at San Ignacio. Saltos del Moconá, in Parque Provincial Moconá, is another waterfall worth visiting.
Discover a breezy esplanade, graceful architecture and artisan markets, which showcase Guarani culture, in Corrientes city. Spend some time at easy-going river towns, including Itati and Ituzaingó. Be amazed by the craggy, granite ravine of Barrancas del Empedrado and hike amid thick forest in Mburucuya National Park. Go in search of some 350 bird species and the rare maned wolf at Esteros del Iberá wetlands reserve.
Hot springs, fishing trips, pristine reserves and boisterous carnival parties await in Entre Ríos province. Gualeguaychú explodes into color in February with arguably Argentina’s most famous carnival. The powdery, white sand at nearby Ñandubaysal evokes images of a tropical island paradise. Fish for huge dorado in Santa Elena and enjoy the charm of riverfront Colón. Don’t miss the enormous yatay palm trees in El Palmar National Park.
The southern area of Mesopotamia is just a short bus ride from Buenos Aires. You can also fly to Corrientes and Puerto Iguazú and then get around the region via public buses and organized tours.
