Esteros del Iberá stretches over an enormous area, but the most convenient access point is Colonia Pellegrini, a placid hamlet of wide dirt roads on a peninsula jutting into Laguna Iberá, 107 kilometers northeast of Mercedes via RP 40. Pellegrini has no formal street addresses, but it’s small and compact enough that orientation is no problem.

Passable under most conditions though sections of it are bumpy, RP 40 can be muddy and difficult for conventional vehicles in wet weather. It requires caution and moderate speeds at all times.

Getting There

Daily except Sunday, El Rayo (tel. 03773/420184) and Itatí II (tel. 03773/421722) operate bus services from Colonia Pellegrini back to Mercedes (US$8, three hours). The departures are around 4 a.m., permitting locals to make shopping trips and return in the same day, but not so great for travelers who want a full night’s sleep. They will, however, pick you up at your accommodations in Pellegrini.

From the Posadas airport, it’s possible to arrange direct transfers for four to six persons in a 4WD vehicle for about US$130 with Anamatours (tel. 03752/420199) or Paul Velázquez (tel. 03752/457688 or 03752/15-660200).