Tigre Delta

The Paraná delta reaches the edge of Buenos Aires at Tigre, where the river breaks into hundreds of channels and low wooded islands that have no roads at all: everything moves by water, including the school boat, the grocery boat and the ambulance. Wooden houses on stilts sit under willows and ceibos, rowing clubs founded by British residents line the main channels, and regular passenger launches run out from the Estación Fluvial to island stops where restaurants, small hotels and a few museums wait. In town, the Puerto de Frutos market sells wicker, furniture and crafts, and a riverside art museum occupies a former casino. It is the classic day out from the capital.

What you actually see

• The island channels - brown waterways lined with stilt houses and willows.
• The passenger launches - working boats serving island stops.
• Puerto de Frutos - the wicker and craft market by the water.
• The rowing clubs - historic boathouses along the Tigre and Luján rivers.

When to go

October to April for warm weather on the water; summer weekends are extremely busy and boats fill. Winter is quiet and grey but atmospheric. Weekdays are far calmer at any season.

Honest expectations

The delta water is muddy brown and not for swimming, which surprises some visitors. Tour boats are crowded at weekends, and the main channels are noisy with traffic. Mosquitoes in warm months are heavy on the islands.

Nearby

San Isidro lies between Tigre and the capital; central Buenos Aires is an hour by train.