Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Shopping
Manos Correntinas
HANDICRAFTS
(San Martín 499; 9am-noon & 5-8pm Mon-Fri, 9am-noon Sat)
Manos Correntinas is a
friendly handicrafts gallery and shop that displays the work of a cooperative of local
craftspeople.
Information
Most services are along San Martín, which links the bus terminal with the plaza.
Centro de Interpretación
( 15-412216;
www.mercedescorrientes.gov.ar
;
cnr Gómez & Caá
Guazú; 7am-1pm & 3-9pm)
Three blocks north and a block east of the bus terminal, this
information office is helpful.
Bus terminal tourist information
( 6am-noon & 2-8pm)
At the bus terminal. Doesn't
always fulfill its timetable. The best for info on transport to Colonia Pellegrini.
Getting There & Away
The
bus terminal
( 420165; cnr San Martín & Perreyra)
is six blocks west of the plaza.
Buses run regularly both ways. Destinations include Buenos Aires (AR$339, eight to 10
hours), Paso de los Libres (AR$42, two hours) and Corrientes (AR$99, three to four
hours).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Reserva Provincial Esteros del Iberá
This stunning wetland reserve is home to an abundance of bird and animal life, and is
one of the finest places to see wildlife in South America. Although tourism has been in-
creasing substantially in recent years, Los Esteros del Iberá remains comparatively un-
spoiled. The main base for visiting the park is the sleepy village of
Colonia Pellegrini
,
120km northeast of Mercedes; it offers a variety of excellent accommodations. Rural
est-
ancias
(ranches) in the larger area also make excellent bases.
The lakes and
esteros
(lagoons covered with abundant aquatic vegetation) are shallow,
fed only by rainwater, and thick with vegetation. Vegetation accumulates to form
em-
balsados
(floating islands), and this fertile habitat is home to a stunning array of life. Sin-
ister black caimans bask in the sun while capybaras feed around them. Other mammals
