You can love Buenos Aires and still want to escape the city. Both options, though they seem mutually exclusive, make perfect sense. Because Buenos Aires is a beautiful city, but getting away from it—taking a short getaway nearby—lets you enjoy the nature just a few kilometers away and fall even more in love with the city when you return.
When your daily routine is screaming for a break, you can do it on a budget. Less than an hour from Buenos Aires lies an impressive green oasis that few locals know about: the Monte Blanco Nature Reserve. We’ll tell you how to explore this jungle just an hour from Buenos Aires and enjoy its free guided tours.
Far from the usual crowded recreational spots, this 20-hectare area in the Tigre Delta is the ultimate plan for walking among native vegetation, birdwatching, and breathing fresh air. The best part? It’s open to the public and free of charge.
The Delta’s Secret: A Hidden Jungle Just an Hour from Buenos Aires
Since 2021, the Monte Blanco Nature Reserve has been one of the few areas in the Delta where you can step off the dock and walk directly into the island. Legend has it that the native trees in this forest had very light-colored bark, which is where its name comes from. Today, as you walk through it, you’ll find yourself immersed in what’s known as a “gallery forest” (where the vegetation covers the streams, forming a sort of green tunnel).
What you can do in the reserve: Hiking trails, wetlands, and birdwatching
This reserve is perfect for spending the day, and in addition to enjoying the outdoors, you can learn about the ecosystem before setting out on your hike. This entire nature reserve in the Delta features three trails that are super easy to navigate:
- Wetland Trail: Here you can take a walk through the highest parts of the island to get an up-close look at the typical flora.
- Hocó Trail: This trail is ideal for exploring the inland lagoons formed by the water.
- Camino Ribereño: This is a lovely, relaxing trail that runs parallel to the Rama Negra Chico stream.
The reserve usually offers free guided tours at 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. If you pay attention and get lucky, you might even hear the chiricotes singing.
How to get to the Monte Blanco Reserve from Buenos Aires
From the capital to Tigre, you can take the Mitre Train (Tigre branch) from Retiro, or bus 60 from Puente Saavedra to downtown Tigre. Once there, walk to the riverboat station (located at 305 Bartolomé Mitre).
Head to the ticket booths and ask for a round-trip ticket on the shared boat to the Monte Blanco Nature Reserve. When you board, remind the boat driver that you’ll be getting off at the reserve. Before you prepare your mate and head out, we recommend checking the boat schedules and guided tour times:
- Phone numbers: 11 2666-2577 (Monday through Friday) or 11 3796-7107 (weekends and holidays).
- Instagram: @ambiente.tigre
