LITORAL REGION This region is defined by a huge river system and one of its main attractions is the almighty Iguazu Falls. The area has exotic subtropical vegetation and countless animal species great for wildlife viewing. These elements have resulted in the establishment of a national park for this natural haven.
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ROSARIO ROSARIO Rosario is an industrial and export centre, located 310 km northwest of BA. Plaza 25 de Mayo lies in the old city centre and is surrounded by various architectural sites such as the cathedral, several museums and monuments. Rosario is definitely a great place to enjoy the nightlife. The city offers an abundance of culture, such as music, theatre and artistic performances. It is also the birthplace of many recognized national artists. Be sure to enjoy one of the many attractions found along the Paraná River banks, i.e. parks, bars, restaurants and beaches.
Highlights :: The Paraná River and its Delta islands: a 45 km wild nature strip, composed of wide sandy beaches and abundance of animal and vegetation diversity, some of which can be explored by kayak or boat. :: Costanera and Balneario La Florida: located on the shores of the city, with beautiful river views and green spaces. The most popular mainland beach is Balneario La Florida, located 8 km from the city centre. There are plenty of bars, restaurants and excellent amenities. :: Monumento a la Bandera (Flag Monument): the Argentinean flag was raised for the first time ever at this site. The tower is 70 m tall, so take the lift to the top and enjoy spectacular views of the city and river. :: Che Guevara: born in Rosario in 1928, there is a square named after this revolutionary figure. :: Nightlife: with so many restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs, in both the city centre and the Costanera, Rosario offers a great atmosphere for fun. :: Paseo del Siglo: travel back in time and see a large concentration of late 19th and early 20th century buildings. :: Parks: visit Parque Independencia with its artificial lake, Parque Urquiza, Parque de España and Parque de las Colectividades. 40
ROSARIO LA CASONA DE DON JAIME I - II & SUITES I: Pte. Roca 1051 Tel: (0341) 5279964 When visiting Rosario stay at one of these two backpacker II: San Lorenzo 1530 Tel: (0341) 5302020 lacasonadedonjaime@yahoo.com.ar friendly hostels. www.youthhostelrosario.com.ar La Casona de Don Jaime I has private rooms or dorms and all the home comforts. Its Roots Bar is ideal to enjoy a bit of reggae and tuck into homemade meals, including their speciality stuffed pizzas! La Casona de Don Jaime II & Suites has dorms with shared bathrooms or ensuite stylish private rooms. This XX century house has been revamped to offer comfort and fun with a small only-PAX bar where every Wednesday they play live music with a jam session for guests too. It also has an outdoor patio with a climbing wall, BBQ grill and ping pong table. Both hostels are downtown Take your pick from 10% and within walking distance from the off your stay at check main attractions!
in, 5th night for free or welcoming drink!
La Casona De Don Jaime I&II
BONARDA BON HOSTEL
Boulevard Oro単o 525 (0341) 153165535 info@bonardabonhostel.com.ar www.bonardabonhostel.com.ar
With an exclusive location on Boulevard Oro単o close to the city centre, park, river, bars and restaurants, this hostel has a cosy and relaxed vibe in an attractive and clean refurbished antique house. They have a large private room for 2 to 6 with a view over the Boulevard. The room has a TV, towels, air con and private bathroom. They also have dorms for 4 to 8 with lockers, heating and shared bathrooms. Most of them have have air con so rest assured that you will sleep well at night! Bonarda Bon is well stocked for fun too: ping pong, board games, PlayStation, DVDs, a large living room and kitchen, a sun terrace and a big BBQ space are sure to keep you entertained. Bonarda Bon Hostel Rosario
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10% off with Get South or 5th night free!
ROSARIO ART ROSARIO HOSTEL
Presidente Roca 534 & Laprida 1183 (0341) 4459759 info@artrosariohostel.com.ar www.artrosariohostel.com.ar Art Rosario Hostel
This place is covered head to toe in art. Each room has different wall paintings done by artists and other travellers who have passed through this hostel in the city centre. With a very relaxed and friendly attitude, the owners are always on hand to help you settle into Rosario and find out everything it has to offer.
Actually with two hostel locations, in both you will find private rooms (double and cuads) as well as dorm rooms (6, 8 and 10 bed) and different patios and lounges to chill out watching TV or DVDs. All rooms have shared bathrooms. If you want to get creative in the kitchen there is a minimarket on the ground floor for all the essentials!
10% off with Get South or 5th night free!
EL PIMPOLLAL ESPIRITUAL Hostel de la Isla
Paraná Viejo – Paraná Delta Island (0341) 155494777 rsugasti@hotmail.com www.elpimpollal.com.ar
Located on a beautiful delta island just 20 minutes by speedboat from Rosario (transfers available), you will return to your roots with idyllic sceneries and sunsets that soothe the soul. Run by Rafa (who speaks English) with the help of Puma, Toto and “El Diablo”, you will savor healthy and delicious regional meals cooked in a traditional mud oven or grill. They have plenty of firewood, too, if you want to cook yourself. They just ask that you bring your own food! You will be entertained by guided horseback riding, bird watching, swimming in the river, volleyball, alternative therapy, boat trips, fishing, their reggae beach bar, and the constant contact with the island’s incredible environment. With just three rooms - a dorm, a double and a triple - all with a shared bathroom and plenty of hot water, there will always be that restful, personal experience at this mystical place. 42
PARANA PARANA Sat alongside the river, Paraná is a relaxed and unassuming city where life goes by at a comfortable walking pace. Take your time to stroll around the city and enjoy its colonial architecture including the picturesque Plaza 1 de Mayo, sparkling white Metropolitan Cathedral and the Municipal Palace. One of the prettiest parts of the city is down by the river at the costanera where joggers and walkers amble along the waterfront and chill out on the beaches. Take a boat trip, go fishing or get active with a canoe or kayak on the water. But water activities aren’t the only excursions on offer: if you want to keep to dry land you can do archery, tango classes or photography safaris; or throw yourself through the air with paragliding; or even dip back in the water with the hot thermal springs. Nightlife takes an easy pace here so make sure to join in with the locals eating river fish at the tavernas* and listening and dancing to Argentine folk music at the famous peñas*.
PARANA HOSTEL One block off the main pedestrian street, this funky hostel is perfectly located for exploring the city and is only a stone’s throw from the main plaza and cathedral.
Andres Pazos 159 (0343) 4228233 / 154550847 paranahostel@hotmail.com www.paranahostel.com.ar
Set on three floors in a historic house, Parana Hostel has attractively decorated private rooms (double, triple and cuad) as well as two dorm rooms (10 and 6 bed). A gorgeous leafy garden, terrace. kitchen and BBQ give you ample space to meet other travellers and you can borrow their bikes for free or the staff can help you organise tours to all the local attractions and activities: boat trips, photo safaris, kayaking, city tours, thermal pools and archery!
10% off with Get South! (not available with other offers) Parana Hostel
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N° Leg.: 14064
ESTEROS DEL IBERA ESTEROS DEL IBERA Esteros* del Iberá is one of those places that everyone wants to visit, but very few actually make it here. The truth is that it is a bit of a tricky place to get to, it is a couple of hours by 4x4 or by a bumpy bus ride from the closest towns and civilisation.... Mercedes is the usual starting point and here you can book a transfer or take a bus. But its remoteness is what makes it such a special place. In the middle of humid wetlands, the Esteros del Iberá have cultivated one of the most important and one of the most unique ecosystem’s in the Americas. A prime spot for nature spotting, here you can do walks, horserides and boat tours to see over 360 bird species, lots of allegators (yacarés), the world’s largest rodents (carpinchos), wild deers and jump on the floating islands of the world’s second largest wetlands. The base to stay here is the small town of Colonia Carlos Pellegrini. With a small population and only a couple shops and restaurants, this is a very relaxed and slow moving town, but its tranquility is the best way to enjoy the nature and relax in Argentina’s wild wetlands.
POSADA YPA SAPUKAI
Yacare corner Mburucuya Colonia Carlos Pellegrini (03773) 15514212 / (011) 1537042288 iberaturismo@gmail.com www.posadadelibera.com
With Esteros del Iberá you really want to feel in the middle of nature and a world away from civilised cosmopolitan life - at Posada Ypa Sapukai you are right amongst the breathtaking natural world that inhabits this special place. A rustic style hotel with wooden furniture and a cosy fireplace for cool nights, here you can stay in one of their five rooms in either a double, triple or quad.
Staying here includes excursions by boat, horse or walking tours - speak to the bilingual staff to find out what you can do in your time, and make sure to walk out to their private jetty to watch the birds and pondlife as sunsets...
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POSADAS POSADAS Posadas is the capital of the sub tropical Misiones province. Sat next alongside the Parana river and opposite Paraguay, this city has hot, humid weather year round and is bathed with reddish earth and thick green vegetation. Romantic squares and churches around the city were built by the Jesuits and take you back into history. Walking through the city you should visit the native Indian tribe’s Guarani handcraft market by the 9 de Julio main square, the mate museum, the churches and cathedral and enjoy the waterfront which has been recently developed. From there you can also take a boat trip on the river which is particularly spectacular at sunset, or you can sunbathe on the sand beach at El Brete. From the Parana river you can see Encarnación city in Paraguay, which you can also visit for a day trip by bus where lots of Argentineans go to get cheaper electronics. Part of the wealth of the river is its fish - make sure to try some of the excellent river fish including Pacú, Dorado, Boga and Surubí, and if you like fishing then you can organize fishing trips on the river. For evening entertainment don’t miss some local folk music at bars and restaurants. Posadas is famed for its Litoral folk Festival each November. The nearby Jesuit Ruins is one of the biggest attractions here and most people head to San Ignacio which is an hour away by bus or car. Posadas is also a stop off point for visiting the Iguazu Falls 290kms away and the lush wetlands.
HOSTEL KOEYU
Av. Cocomarola 6620 (0376) 4459699 This place is really cared for by the hostelkoeyu@gmail.com well travelled owners, with attention to detail everywhere and a peaceful atmosphere throughout. The modern shared spaces have a different feeling to the traditional, cosy wooden rooms which are designed to rest in (private twins and doubles, triple and quads en suite, and dorms with shared bathrooms). In the communal spaces you can hang out with others, play ping pong or foosball and there is a massive BBQ area with five grills so you can be sure there is space for a good asado! There is also a communal kitchen and for breakfast you will have freshly baked pastries from their own bakery. Staff (who speak Spanish, English, Portuguese and Guarani) can help recommend activities and tours. The hostel is only a few blocks from the bus terminal, near to supermarkets and the bus outside goes to the centre.
Huge discount! 40% off with Get South and a welcome drink! 45
POSADAS HOSTEL VUELA EL PEZ
25 de mayo 1216 (03764) 438706 This relaxed hostel prides itself in helping vuelaelpez@gmail.com you feel at home as the owners welcome www.vuelaelpez.com.ar you, help you feel comfortable and want to make your stay in Posadas unforgettable. Located in the city centre, close to all the city attractions, the hostel is in a historical house from 1853 which has always been an ‘open house’ receiving people for centuries. The safe and quiet location helps to you unwind and you can meet other travellers sat by the outdoor swimming pool, communal spaces, terrace bar with great river views or fully equipped guest kitchen. Pick between the three dorm rooms with shared bathrooms (5 bed female, 6 bed male, or 8 bed mixed) or reserve the private twin room (shared bathroom) or ensuite double room.
Vuela El Pez Hostel
10% off with Get South!
SAN IGNACIO This small town is the base for exploring the UNESCO Jesuit ruins: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana and Nuestra Señora de Loreto. The San Ignacio ruins are within walking distance and the 4000 year old settlement is full of history and intrigue. Ruin highlights include The Cabildo, The Plaza de Armas, the church and the central patio which are all explained about during the frequent tours (also in English). The new night time show (weather dependent) has a unique performance using lights, water and sound to tell the historic stories from the beginning of the Jesuits arrival through to their expulsion. The other ruins are also popular with visitors but require transport as Santa Ana is 15kms from the town and Nuestra Señora de Loreto is 13kms away. In the town, Casa de Horacio Quiroga is the house museum of one of South America’s most renowned writers who wrote The Jungle Book. To see some of the fantastic jungle which inspired his writing, visit the Parque Provincial del Teyú Cuare nature reserve 8kms away with charming landscapes, river views, different treks and a spectacular views from the 120m high Penon (free entry). For a bit of fun in the sunshine or to play beach volley ball visit the Playita del Sol 3.5kms away where you can also light a BBQ with friends. Santo Pipo town, 20kms away, is another day trip worth making to visit the yerbatera Piporé and see how the yerba mate (native herb tea) is made. 46
SAN IGNACIO SAN IGNACIO ADVENTURE HOSTEL San Ignacio Adventure Hostel has lots of facilities to make your stay in San Ignacio fun and relaxing. Take your pick between the big swimming pool in a sunny garden, a large BBQ area for the all important asado, a big common room where the great buffet breakfast is served, a guest kitchen to rustle up some treats, a ping pong and a pool table to play on in their games room or appreciate some of the local talent at their live music nights. Sihostel
Independencia 469 (0376) 4470955 sihostel@hotmail.com www.sihostel.com.ar Centrally located and walking distance to the ruins, the hostel is also close to the bus stop. Private air conditioned rooms are en-suite with cable TV and towels, or you can share a dorm room which also has private bathrooms and air conditioning. This is a place to relax, have fun and enjoy the nature surrounding you!
10% off with Get South!
PUERTO IGUAZU Puerto Iguazú serves as a resting spot for visitors to the world famous Iguazu Falls, recently chosen as one of the New Natural Seven Wonders of the World. :: Iguazu National Park:Declared a Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it is one of the most impressive natural attractions in Argentina. The most spectacular waterfall is Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat). There are boat trips to the base of the falls and many activities to explore the surrounding jungle, like 4x4 expeditions, horse riding, canopy, visits to traditional villages, rappelling and trekking. Close to Puerto Iguazú town, you can visit the Hito Tres Fronteras mirador, a place where the rivers intersect and form a natural border with neighbouring Brazil and Paraguay. The bird shelter Guira Oga (Home of the Birds, in the Guaraní language) is a rehabilitation centre where thousands of local animal species are treated and reintroduced into their natural habitat. :: Wanda Mines: Guided tours and gem shopping can be found in these open cast quartz and amethyst mines, situated 40km from Puerto Iguazú. :: Jesuit Missions: Closer to Misiones’ capital city, Posadas, (250km from Iguazú), lies the site of the largest and best preserved mission ruins in the region, San Ignacio Miní. Settled within the dense vegetation, this site shows all the interesting aspects of the Jesuits’ quest to convert the Guaraní natives to Catholics. 47
PUERTO IGUAZU RESIDENCIAL UNO HOSTEL Located just two blocks from the bus station and downtown Iguazu, Residencial Uno is a place to kick back and enjoy life in the hands of two friendly and helpful owners. They have dorms, single, double, triple and quad private rooms with fans or air conditioners, private bathrooms, TV and hot water. They also have a self catering kitchen, bar, pool table, bilingual staff, daily maid service and tourist information. residencialuno
Fray Luis Beltrรกn 116 (03757) 420529 residencialuno@gmail.com www.residencialuno.com Begin the day with a yummy breakfast, soak up the sun in their large swimming pool, and relax in the TV/DVD room with one of the biggest DVD libraries in town. This is a pet lovers paradise with many resident pups to play with! Try their Saturday night asados*!
10% off with Get South!
HOSTEL IGUAZU FALLS
Guarani 70 (03757) 421295 Just a block from the bus station, Hostel info@hosteliguazufalls.com Iguazu Falls can get you up to the www.hosteliguazufalls.com world famous Iguazu Falls in no time. The hostel has 7 rooms that can hold up to 4, 6 and 8 people with shared bathrooms, while 5 private rooms also come with private bathrooms. Getting tired in the heat? Relax in the garden in a hammock, try your hand at asado* with the outdoor grill, take a dip in the pool, play a game of ping pong or relax in your air-conditioned room. The well informed, dedicated staff can give you the inside track on all the activities in and around the falls. The possibilities are endless!
10% OFF if you book in advance and mention Get South!
Hostel Iguazu Falls
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ASUNCION - PARAGUAY ASUNCION - PARAGUAY As one of the recommended highlights of the year, Asunción is becoming a popular destination for backpackers en route to Santa Cruz de la Sierra in Bolivia or Iguazu Falls (400km away). With a strong indigenous subpopulation and presence, many people still speak the native language and you will find a lot of artisanal souvenirs all over town to take home as well as tasty regional dishes (don’t miss trying chipa and tereré). If you want to learn more about the history of this city you can visit the Casa de la Independencia and its free museum (where Paraguayan independence was declared), the Cabildo (town hall) filled with Paraguayan history (also free), or take a stroll at night around the beautifully illuminated and majestic Lopez palace, where the Lopez presidents lived in the 18th century. There is a speedboat ride that lasts an hour and only costs $2US, from which you can see the city from the river and escape modernity visiting some almost untouched vegetation jungles called Chaco’i. For a real market experience visit the mercado 4 filled with all types of clothes, fruit, animals, electronics and a lot of chaos. Ideal for a lazy sunday, visit the artistic and colonial Aregua village (30km away), with its old train station and historic cathedral. A walk along the river front is also perfect for relaxing afternoons, but make sure to take your siesta because the city never stops partying and the great nightlife (at amazingly cheap prices) makes this a top spot for going out.
EL VIAJERO ASUNCION HOSTEL & SUITES Alberdi 734 corner Humaitá El Viajero Hostel & Suites is an ideal place +595 21 4445663 to stay. Strategically located in the heart info@hostelasuncion.com of Asuncion’s city center with a walking www.hostelasuncion.com distance from the city’s main attractions, the hostel is in a totally restored old mansion, which has 2 huge common rooms, bar and barbeque, a beautiful colonial backyard with hammocks and lot of local vegetation. It is also the only hostel in the city to have a swimming pool, a real necessity for the hot Paraguayan summer that lasts 10 months! Stay in double rooms with cable TV or dorms (all rooms have ensuite bathroom and aircon!). When you aren’t lazing by the pool, the staff can organise activities for you in and out of the hostel, including asados*, typical meals (try the chipa!), walking tours, boat tours and bike rental.
El Viajero Asunción Hostels & Suites
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