Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Visitor center
( 8am-6pm)
The reserve's visitor center, on the Mercedes side of the
causeway, has a good exhibition on local wildlife (Spanish only) and an audiovisual
presentation. The short path opposite the visitor center gives you a sporting chance of
seeing howler monkeys up close, and other paths here introduce you to the different
plants and habitats of the area.
Getting There & Away
The road from Mercedes to Colonia Pellegrini (120km) is drivable in a normal car except
after rain. Bus services (AR$35, three to four hours) are basic and unreliable; check at
the bus terminal information office. The most reliable departure is Crucero del Norte
(Itatí II) at 12:30pm Monday through Friday, and 9:30am Saturday, returning from Pel-
legrini at 4am Monday to Friday, with an extra 5pm departure on Friday.
Iberá Bus
( 03773-15-482836)
runs unreliably from the old bus terminal in Mercedes
(corner of Alvear and Pujol, two blocks east and one south of the new bus terminal) at
1pm Monday to Friday and 9am Saturday (AR$50), returning from Pellegrini at 4.30am
Monday to Saturday.
A faster and more comfortable way to get there is by 4WD. This costs around AR$150
to AR$180 per person if there are enough people, more if not. Get a list of operators
through the information booth at the Mercedes bus terminal: there are several. At time of
research the most useful were
Rayo
( 03773-15-443536, 03773-420184)
and
Monzón
(
03773-15-443536)
, who theoretically departed daily. In Pellegrini, register for return jour-
neys at the shop at the corner of Guazú Virá and Curupí. If it hasn't been raining, you
could also get a
remise
from Mercedes if there's a group of you.
The road from Posadas is much worse (take the turning between Gobernador Virasoro
and Santo Tomé in a normal car). Drivers charge AR$1500 to AR$1800 for a charter to
Posadas, or AR$1300 to Gobernador Virasoro, from where frequent buses travel the
80km on to Posadas.
There's no gas station in Pellegrini; the closest are in Mercedes and at the main road
junction near Santo Tomé. Fill up before you head in. A couple of places in Pellegrini
can sell you petrol and diesel.
Be aware that car-rental companies in Posadas may refuse you service if you mention
that the Iberá is one of your destinations.
