Paraná Viejo

An escapade to explore the nature of the island.

From Costa Alta pier, located in the northern area of the city, you can take a speedboat and reach Paraná Viejo in only 20 minutes. This place is located behind La Invernada island, across the main channel, sailing along Rosario-Victoria Bridge. The area offers facilities for those who want to stay a few days at the beach, relax in a quiet environment, and taste delicious freshwater fish dishes.

Facilities at Paraná Viejo
Libertad Island
This is the first port of call. There, Doña Icho offers two dorm-style cabins, with electricity and barbecue grill. Home-made bread and freshwater fish dishes available for purchase. 
Contact: +54 341 5148869

Wilson Beach Bar
This place features tables and barbecue grills under the shade, traditional dishes and drinks (including homemade beer). You can’t miss the ray sticks, the dorado empanadas or the deboned boga (local fish). You can camp at no cost if you decide to eat at the bar. 
Contact: +54 341 5720800

El Corazón Verde
This is a beach area with bar, open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 9 pm. It features a green area with a ping-pong table, tennis, beach volleyball and tejo courts (popular game in Argentina, similar to bocci), and a football field. Every evening, there’s a traditional bonfire lit up. In the menu you’ll find traditional cheese and charcuterie platters, homemade hamburgers, vegetarian sandwiches and pork shoulder sandwiches with a dark beer reduction sauce. The beef or freshwater fish barbecue fixed menu requires advance reservation. Faucaria homemade beer. No charges applied for the stay. Cooler boxes are not allowed. 
Contact: +54 341 3632233

Capibara
This is the gastronomic favorite of Paraná Viejo. Offering excellent amenities and services, this 8-year-old restaurant has established itself as a hot spot in the area. In addition to the main indoor area, there’s a garden overviewing the river with different spaces to enjoy the view. The menu offers delicious dishes cooked in a clay oven and the best selection of wines in the island. We highly recommend the fixed menu: a starter of fish empanada, beef or fish for the main course (deboned boga, for example) and a side salad. For the dessert —or as an afternoon snack— you should try pastelitos, a fried puff pastry filled with either quince or sweet potato paste. Open from Tuesdays to Sundays. Serves lunch and dinner. Advance reservation is recommended. 
Contact: +54 341 4002348 / 50.

El Pimpollal
This is a place which offers different activities on a beautiful sand beach. Upon advance reservation, visitors can go horse-riding and experience a unique connection with nature around Paraná River’s wetlands. This is an ideal beach for young visitors who enjoy sunbathing, good drinks, playing volleyball and stand-up paddle surfing (equipment available for rent onsite). In addition, there’s an animal farm with local species, such as hens, ducks, cows and pigs). Visitors can stay for the night with advance reservation, either with their own tent or renting a cabin (minimum of 6 guests; maximum of 15 guests). 
Contact: +54 341 5494777.

Los Benitos Campsite
Bohemian-style eco campsite, ideal for lovers of nature and silence. It features a picturesque bar and grocery store (open every day from 12 am to 8 pm), three dorm-style cabins and a campsite on a vast area of shade. Advance reservation is required to enjoy traditional fish dishes (oven roasted boga, dorado, surubí), plus vegetarian options.
Contact: +54 341 3253505 / 5529355

Useful Information
Departures take place every 40 minutes, Thursdays to Sundays, from 10 am to 7 pm, from Costa Alta pier (Eudoro Carrasco Ave. 3650) (advance reservation required for other days of the week). 
The water taxi service to Paraná Viejo is $350 per person.
Water taxi service and river trips: +54 341 6363681