In Ituzaingó Department, the focus is on a wide range of discoveries: Guaraní-related collections and the history of the city of Ituzaingó, religious festivals, fishing, and natural and island environments. When choosing where to stay, it is worth first deciding whether you want to focus mainly on museums, events, or landscapes and wildlife watching. The topics range from recurring festivities in June to activities on Apipé Grande.

Culture and history in Ituzaingó

The Museo Antropológico de Ituzaingó was founded in 2005 to preserve, exhibit and promote representative elements of earlier cultures. It has six exhibition rooms. The first room covers toponymy, zoogeography and phytogeography, as well as pre-colonial mapping and the Guaraní geographical area. It also displays japepo vessels used to store and preserve food. The second room exhibits Guaraní lithic material found during excavations in the Yacyretá area of Ituzaingó Department.

The Museo Histórico Gobernador Manuel Ignacio Lagraña illustrates urban life, development and the institutional history of Ituzaingó up to the construction of the Yacyretá Dam. The Yacyretá hydroelectric plant was built by Argentina and Paraguay on the Río Paraná. Another cultural landmark is the “Los Pioneros” promenade in Ituzaingó, dedicated to engineers Gamberale and Mernoz, who were among the early explorers of the Río Paraná.

Festivals and events

The recurring celebrations in honor of the city’s patron saint, San Juan Bautista, begin on June 15 with the Rezo de la Aurora and the novena. On June 24, the program includes a procession carrying the saint’s image through the city streets and a Mass attended by the bishop. A craft and trade fair is also held for the patron saint celebration in the “San Juan Bautista” multipurpose area. Local and regional craftspeople and business owners offer their products there; food stalls, children’s games and traditional games round out the program.

At the Fiesta Nacional de la Yerra y la Doma Correntina, more than 200 gauchos in traditional clothing ride decorated horses through the center of Ituzaingó. What began as a local celebration has grown into an event that attracts visitors from Argentina and abroad. At the Carnavales de Ituzaingó, comparsas and groups perform with elaborately designed themes, floats, costumes and choreography. The parades take place at the Corsódromo on Avenida 9 de Julio and Paraná.

Fishing is also part of the local events and activities. Ituzaingó hosts the Concurso Integración de Pesca del Surubí con Devolución every year. The tournament includes a shore-fishing competition for the whole family. Fishing in Ituzaingó can be done with spinning, fly fishing, float fishing and bottom fishing. Check the current local regulations before fishing.

Island nature and wildlife watching

Apipé Grande encompasses extensive natural areas with sandy beaches, lagoons, gallery forests and grasslands, as well as rich biodiversity. Birdwatching and interpretive walks are offered on the island; check local arrangements before your trip. On the Islas Apipé, crafts, regional cuisine and island customs reflect cultural traditions.

At Portal Cambyretá, you can watch wildlife, including from your vehicle. Waterbirds that can be observed there include storks, roseate spoonbills and herons. The area around the portal is characterized by low-lying areas prone to flooding. This offers different ways to observe nature: at the portal, including from your vehicle, and on Apipé Grande, also on interpretive walks.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Luján, Goya Department, Empedrado Department, San Cosme Department, Saladas Department, Paso de los Libres, Santo Tomé Department, Mercedes Department.

For the wider travel overview: Corrientes.