Northeast – The Littoral
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The Littoral or Northeast of Argentina is the area that includes the provinces of Misiones, Corrientes, Entre Rios, Chaco, and Santa Fe, and stretches all the way from the border of Brazil down to the border of the Province of Buenos Aires. This area, known for its fantastically humid climate, diverse wildlife, and sub-tropical forests, is also home to the city of Corrientes, the famous Iguazu Falls, and beautiful area of Entre Rios.
This region of Argentina mainly composed of the provinces of Entre Rios, Corrientes, and Misiones, is part of the Mesopotamia region, meaning the land here is extremely flat and wet and is made up of sub-tropical forests, wetlands, and hundreds of different species of plant life. With all the rain and humidity the climate tends to stay fairly warm throughout the year, but extreme temperatures are known to happen in this region with summers sometimes seeing an upwards of 35degreesC and the winters -5degreesC, however it is not very common and the average temperature is about 23degreesC.
With all of its beautiful subtropical forest and wetlands, the Littoral of Argentina is known for its big and beautiful national parks and protected areas, as well as having three very important Argentine rivers; Iguazu River, Uruguay River, and the Parana River. This Littoral area offers visitors easy access and often organized trails into the local marshes, wetlands, and forest areas, making it a nature enthusiasts’ outdoor dreamland. The area is also perfect for those who are looking for a little on-the-water excitement in the ever popular sport of fishing, found in any of the area’s rivers and lakes. Using the moist land to their advantage, famers here have cotton and citrus fruit plantations that absolutely thrive on the humidity of the land and constant sun in the sky, making a drive through the country quite a spectacular sight.
Corrientes
The province of Corrientes is placed in between the provinces of Entre Rios and Misiones and touches borders with both Brazil and Paraguay. Corrientes is known for its beautiful landscape, its capital city, and its fantastic yearly carnivals. Corrientes city, the provinces capital, is lined with beautiful baroque styled architecture, fruit trees, modern-day buildings, museums, restaurants, and more. However, one of the city’s biggest attractions is the fantastic parties it throws every year for carnival. Here visitors will find a multitude of days celebrating carnival that feature parades, floats, performances, and plenty of Brazilian inspired music – not to be missed!
Entre Rios
The province of Entre Rios, south of Corrientes, and bordering the province of Buenos Aires, is characterized by its many rivers and streams, as its name suggests (‘between rivers’), and is just as sub-tropical as its neighbouring provinces. Also, just like its neighbour Corrientes, Entre Rios is know for its outdoor beauty as much as it is known for its fabulous yearly carnival in the city of Gualeguaychú. Every year people come from around the country to enjoy the slightly Rio de Janeiro inspired colorful, vibrant, and fun-filled carnival.
Misiones
The wettest of the Mesopotamia area is the in the province of Misiones. Other than being the cross over area of Brazil, Misiones is home to one of the greatest tourist attractions of Argentina and one of the worlds greatest natural sights; the Iguazu Falls. These beautiful falls, located just outside of Puerto de Iguazu, are made up of more than 270 individual water falls, a myriad of rivers and streams, and some of the most beautiful rainbows around. These water falls are the world’s largest collaboration of falls and can be seen from Argentina as well as from the country of Brazil, both sides giving a different view of the falls.
The Littoral region of Argentina is simply beautiful in regards to its unique and diverse wild vegetation and wildlife, rivers and streams, flat marshy lands, and plentiful fruit plantations. The exciting, colorful, and music driven carnivals in the area are not to be missed as the feeling of that Brazilian passion can be found throughout the streets and hearts of everyone. Last but not least, a trip to the Littoral would just not be the same without the famous Iguazu Falls, a collection of waterfalls that will leave you enchanted, cool and wet, and wanting more.
Check the other regions of this Argentina Travel guide.