Buenos Aires is more than an urban paradise of European architecture, world-class restaurants, theaters, and museums. The greater Buenos Aires conurbation includes several surrounding cities and distinct regions.
The Tigre Delta is one of the most unique areas around Buenos Aires and makes a wonderful contrast to the city itself. Located about 20 miles (30 km) north of Buenos Aires, the town of Tigre sits at the entrance to the vast Paraná Delta, one of the largest river deltas in the world. Instead of streets and highways, much of the delta is a maze of rivers, canals, and islands where boats are the primary mode of transportation. Experiencing local culture is an important part of our retirement travel strategy, so a day trip to the Tigre Delta seemed like the perfect choice. Pink Bear was very excited to be going along on this one. I did warn her to behave and not to try to jump off the boat.
Pink Bear is researching the Tigre Delta region.
Tigre River Delta Tour
Our private guide for this trip was Andres from Tours by Locals. Andres was a guide the previous day for our city tour, and we were very happy with him. He picked us up at the Park Tower, where we were staying, and we left the bustling city behind.
La Plata
Our first stop was a park overlooking the Río de La Plata. Pink Bear loved climbing the trees in the park and frolicking by the river. It was a beautiful sunny day.
Cathedral de San Isidro
Our next stop was the gorgeous Catedral de San Isidro. The building is one of the most notable examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Argentina.
We made a short stop for delicious coffee and a brief informative chat about the Tigre Delta. Our guide, Andres, grew up in the Delta region, so his knowledge of life on the river came from first-hand experience.
Delicious latte!
Boat Tour on the River
After the stop for coffee, we then picked up Andres’ small boat. To visit the Tigre delta, you need a boat. Because Andres grew up in the region, he was a perfect guide for this unique adventure. There are no roads in the delta, so you can only get around by boat. It was such an interesting day visiting this unique area. We saw grocery boats, hospital boats, police boats, and more! As we cruised through the narrow waterways, the sounds of the city disappeared. Instead, we heard birds in the trees, the wake of passing boats, and occasional greetings from residents relaxing on their docks. We had gorgeous weather, and it was a very relaxing day.
Pink Bear highly recommends leaving the hustle and bustle of the city behind for a day and visiting this enchanting area. This is a perfect excursion for us retired people looking to take a little break between active adventures.
Scenes Along the River
Boarding the boat was a unique experience. This marina in Tigre has boat lifts where passengers get aboard the boat on the lift, and then the boat is lowered into the water. Pink Bear and I are accustomed to boarding a small boat from a dock.
And Away We Go!
The presidential home on the Tigre River is the Museo Casa Sarmiento. It was the former riverside retreat and final home of Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, the 7th President of Argentina, who lived there from 1855 until 1888.
We also saw an amusement park and the Grand Casino.
Fruit Market
After our relaxing day on the river, we made a brief stop at a craft market. The Puerto de Frutos (Fruit Port) is located along the Luján River. Originally a historic docking point for Delta fruit farmers, it has transformed into one of Argentina’s largest and most vibrant open-air markets. This is a great place to pick up some local craft items to bring home.
It is also a nice place to grab a bite to eat or some gelato!
Delicious gelato.
Tango Time!
When visiting Argentina, a tango show is almost a rite of passage. For this activity, Pink Bear chose a tango show at El Querandí. We had amazing steaks and saw a wonderful show. The costumes were gorgeous and elaborate. There was a live band including a piano, violin, cello, and accordion. I am amazed at how people can dance so intricately.
Watch a short video of the tango performance here.
Retirement Vacation Rating:
⭐ Retirement Comfort Level: 10/10
⭐ Adventure Level: Calm
⭐ Pink Bear Approved: Yes, absolutely. She loved it
Tips for Tigre Delta Trip:
- Dress cool in the summer; it gets warm on the boat
- Public Transportation is available, but a private tour with an experienced guide is recommended to get the most out of the day
- A brief stop at the Cathedral de San Isidro
- Traffic in the Buenos Aires area can be very bad; leave plenty of time to get to destinations
- The Fruit Market is a nice place to pick up crafts and get a bite to eat
The Tigre Delta and tango could not have been more different—one peaceful and relaxing, the other dramatic and energetic. Together, they provided a wonderful glimpse into Argentine culture and made for one of our favorite days in Buenos Aires. A trip to the delta is a relaxing way to spend the day away from the crowds. Seeing a tango in Argentina is a must, and El Querandi is a great choice. Next up is our incredible journey to Iguazu, so stay tuned to Pink Bear’s Travel Adventures.
To learn more about our trip to South America, you can read:
To read more about our South American Adventure in Iguazu Falls, read Pink Bear’s Travel Guide: