Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Colón's
bus terminal
( 421716; cnr Rocamora & 9 de Julio)
is seven blocks inland
(roughly west) of the river and eight blocks north of the main shopping and entertain-
ment street, 12 de Abril. A
remise
into the town center costs around AR$15.
Destinations include Buenos Aires (AR$144, 4½ hours), Gualeguaychú (AR$34, two
hours) via Concepción (AR$14, 40 minutes), Concordia (AR$35, two hours) via Ubajay
(AR$18, one hour) and Paysandú, Uruguay (AR$50, 45 minutes, one to five daily).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Parque Nacional El Palmar
03447
On the west bank of the Río Uruguay, midway between Colón and Concordia, the
Km199; admission AR$50)
preserves the last extensive stands of yatay palm on the Argen-
tine littoral. In the 19th century the native yatay covered large parts of Entre Ríos,
Uruguay and southern Brazil, but the intensification of agriculture, ranching and forestry
throughout the region destroyed much of the palm savanna.
Reaching a maximum height of about 18m, with a trunk diameter of 40cm, larger spe-
cimens clustered throughout the park create a striking and soothing subtropical landscape
that lends itself to photography. The grasslands and the gallery forests along the water-
courses shelter much wildlife.
Park admission (valid for 48 hours) is collected at the entrance on RN 14 from 7am to
7pm, but the gate is open 24 hours.
Sights & Activities
Main facilities are 12km from the entrance down a good dirt road. Here, the
visitor cen-
ter
( 8am-7pm)
has displays on natural history. You can organize canoeing, cycling and
horseback-riding trips here. Decent dirt roads lead off the main access road to three view-
points.
Arroyo Los Loros
, a short distance north of the campground by gravel road, is a
good place to observe wildlife. South of the visitor center is Arroyo El Palmar, a pleasant
stream accessed at two viewpoints,
La Glorieta
and
El Palmar
. These have short marked
trails, and the latter has a hide for bird-watching. There are three other short trails near
the visitor center, and another bird-watching hide near the Río Uruguay. Guided walks
are available by prior arrangement.
There is river access for swimming and boating from the campground.
