One of the most difficult things about the sprawling urban beast that is Buenos Aires is feeling so distant from nature.
There are plenty of beautiful parks in Buenos Aires, but of course you’ll still be surrounded by skyscrapers and the ever present soundtrack of city buses.
Luckily, and surprisingly, with a short train ride from the city center you can transport yourself to a tropical river delta that feels a world apart from the city’s chaos.
This is a complete guide to planning a Tigre Buenos Aires day trip, from budget DIY to relaxing private boat excursions.
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Visit The Tigre Delta near Buenos Aires
The Tigre Delta is one of the best day trips from Buenos Aires because with just a 45 minutes train ride you can go from bustling city center to a natural paradise of lush green islands and river inlets to explore.
This is where the ParanáRiver ends, being one of the few river deltas to empty into fresh water and not the sea.
The delta’s islands are populated with beautiful stilted houses, restaurants, and communities.
There are a few different ways to plan your Tigre day trip and if you have the time, I highly recommend spending a few nights here. There are rental homes and beautiful lodges tucked away on idyllic islets.
Here are some options for you to choose from to the most out of your Buenos Aires to Tigre day trip.
How to Get To Tigre
You can schedule private tours like this that include hotel pick ups but if you’re on a budget or an adventurer, you can easily get to Tigre on your own with public transportation.
There are two trains you can take to Tigre from downtown Buenos Aires: the Tigre line of the Mitre train or the more touristic Tren de las Costa.
The Tigre Train from Retiro
At the main Retiro train station downtown there are three lines, get a ticket for the Tigre line (impossible to get confused here!) and ride it to the final stop.
The entire ride is just under an hour.
This is the cheapest option at the equivalent of a couple bucks. It’s also the easiest.
The Tigre train station is across the street from the port and ticket booths for the many boat excursions, simply cross the roundabout walking towards the McDonald’s. You cannot get lost.
JANUARY 2023 UDATE: Due to seemingly never ending work to update the train lines, the three lines at the Mitre station in Retiro won’t depart from or reach Retiro until at least the end of April (official end date unconfirmed). Until this is finished, to reach Tigre you can take the Tigre line from the Belgrano C station just blocks from Barrio Chino.
The Tren de la Costa to Tigre
This train was remodeled for tourism purposes and it really is a great experience on a sunny day.
Go to the same Retiro train station but instead get a ticket for the Mitre line and ride it to the end, where you’ll have to cross the street to connect to the Tren de la Costa.
This smaller train hugs the coastline with interesting stops along the way like the San Isidro coastline and cute cafes in old train stations.
The final stop is in Tigre right by the Puerto de Frutos market. Take a walk through the market before walking to the port (put Estacion Fluvial into Google Maps).
JANUARY 2023 UPDATE: Like the Tigre line above, you cannot get the Mitre line in Retiro until at least the end of April. You can get this train in Begrano R (not to be confused with the Belgrano C station above). Until this is finished, to be honest, I’d recommend instead just taking a taxi to the Maipu station to get the Tren de la Costa directly in Martinez and avoid the connection.
Tigre Buenos Aires Day Trips 4 Ways
Here are four different ways to plan your Tigre – Buenos Aires day trip.
1. visit Tres Bocas: Book Your Own Lancha/Boat of the Delta
Tigre’s islands are a thriving community. People live here and with that comes public transportation to connect the islands.
These lanchas colectivas (like a city bus on water) are the best way to see Tigre like a local, with the locals.
A common and easy DIY Tigre Buenos Aires day trip is to visit Tres Bocas. To do so head to the ticket office for Interisleña. It’s easy to find the ticket office in the building by the dock (the McDonald’s is the easiest landmark, it’s in that building).
There are boats departing regularly throughout the day and the ride is about 40 minutes and very scenic. Hop off at the Santa Rosa pier (muelle). To avoid easily missing your stop tell the staff when you board where you’re going, they’ll let you know when it’s time to hop off.
Once in Tres Bocas you can stroll the path on a circuit through the traditional stilted homes and have lunch at the few restaurants that have decks hanging over the main canal.
Important note on returning: Boats pass by about every half hour but they can be full or if the water levels aren’t favorable they may skip stopping at the restaurant’s pier and only stop at Santa Rosa (a short two minute walk away). This happened to us! We had to wait an hour and two missed boats. Give yourself some cushion for your return, just in case.
2. Eat at Gato Blanco: Iconic Restaurant on the Delta
Gato Blanco is one of the many restaurants throughout the delta. It’s one of the most well known and it is very easy to visit.
Head to the same Estacion Fluvial described above and find the Gato Blanco booth. Here you can reserve your table and boat ride to and from the restaurant.
They have a spacious deck and a traditional Argentine menu of steaks, pastas, and salads. It’s a great way to spend a relaxing, sunny afternoon in Tigre.
3. Take a Private Boat Excursion of the Tigre Delta
I touched on this earlier but if you have the budget, I recommend hiring a private boat tour like this.
The most beautiful part of the delta is the peaceful rivers and the best way to see them is slowly, on your own time with a guide. In fact, many lucky locals do just this, taking their boats out on sunny weekends.
This tour includes a visit to the historic centers of San Isidro and Tigre before an hour cruise through the delta.
It’s four hours but I’d consult about the possibility of including a stop for lunch or drinks at a restaurant (like Gato Blanco) while in the delta to extend your experience.
Where to Stay in the Tigre Delta: Relaxing Weekend Getaway
If you have the time you won’t regret staying in the Tigre Delta overnight.
I recommend staying for two nights so that you have one full day to enjoy before having to return to the city.
The most fun experience is renting a traditional stilted cabin like this.
It’s the perfect way to complete disconnect.
You’ll have your own private dock (talk to the owner about transport, public lancha colectiva or private water taxi options) and plenty of room to move.
Most islands have small mini-markets but it’s a good idea to bring the bulk of what you’ll need for any big meals.
Argentina Travel Resources
- TRAVEL INSURANCE | As of August 26, 2022 it is not longer a requirement to have travel insurance that includes COVID coverage to enter the country. HOWEVER, it still is and always has been a good idea to travel insured. It protects you in so many cases, like lost luggage and trip cancellations, medical emergencies and evacuations. It’s very affordable with the potential to save you thousands in the case of an emergency. I recommend SafetyWing.
- PHONE PLAN | These days, traveling with data is essential. Especially in Argentina where everything is managed on Instagram and WhatsApp. Purchasing a local SIM card can be tricky without a local ID, I recommend this E-SIM card, which has unlimited data. It’s hassle-free and affordable. If you have an older phone that doesn’t support E-SIM, check out DrimSim for a physical sim card alternative.
- ACCOMMODATION IN ARGENTINA | booking.com is the most common hotel site used in Argentina and it’s where you’ll find the most options.
- RENTAL CARS | I love to travel Argentina via road trip, check out RentalCars.com for the best rates for rental cars here.
- VPN | If you’ll be using a public WiFi connection and want to secure your data, I highly recommend using a VPN, I personally use and have had a good experience with ExpressVPN. I also use it to access Hulu and American Netflix from Argentina.
- FLIGHTS | Always check Google Flights and Skyscanner for flights to and within Argentina. Aerolineas Argentina is the local airline with the most routes. FlyBondi and Jetsmart are two budget airlines with dirt-cheap prices (but expect to pay for every add-on like luggage)z
- NEED HELP PLANNING? | I offer one-on-one travel consultations to help you plan your trip to Argentina. Pick my brain to get a local’s insight. Click here for more information.
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FAQs
How do you spend a day in Tigre? ›
- Delta El Tigre. 3,186. Bodies of Water. ...
- Museo de arte Tigre. 1,060. Art Museums. ...
- Puerto de Frutos. 1,714. Flea & Street Markets. ...
- Parque de la Costa. 2,075. Amusement & Theme Parks. ...
- Museo Naval de la Nacion. 381. ...
- Paseo Victorica. 202. ...
- Trilenium Casino. 785. ...
- Delta Terra Natural Reserve. 117.
If you have the time you won't regret staying in the Tigre Delta overnight. I recommend staying for two nights so that you have one full day to enjoy before having to return to the city.
Is Tigre Argentina worth visiting? ›Museum of Art Tigre
The Museo de Arte Tigre is located in an early social club. The building itself is worth a visit. You can see the art of Argentine painters between the 19th and 20th centuries. It also has varied exhibitions.
The most economical way to get to Tigre from Buenos Aires is via the Linea Mitre train. This train begins at Retiro station. This line has a new viaduct which has cut travel time between Retiro and Tigre from almost an hour to about 40 minutes.
Is Tigre worth it? ›The visit to the Tigre is one of our essentials in Buenos Aires. It is one of those places that we like to go to and give us a walk through its streets, rivers, and canals. We take it as a quiet, relaxing visit, but you can visit some of its most intense attractions such as the Parque de la Costa or do water sports.
Can you take a ferry from Buenos Aires to Montevideo? ›There is a high speed ferry from Buenos Aires to Montevideo available with Buquebus. This fast ferry service takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes depending on weather conditions.
How to get from Buenos Aires to Colonia? ›Getting to Colonia from Buenos Aires: Colonia del Sacramento is about a 1 hour 15 min ferry ride from Buenos Aires. The two companies offering sailings are Buquebus and Colonia Express (who we used). Each company typically offers 2- 3 sailings per day from Buenos Aires to Colonia and back again.
What is the difference between Tigre and Tigrinya? ›...
Tigre language.
| Tigre | |
|---|---|
| ISO 639-3 | tig |
| Glottolog | tigr1270 |
How many days should I stay in El Calafate? We recommend visiting Calafate for at least 3 nights. This way you can visit the Perito Moreno Glacier and another attraction in the area. There are many full day excursions worthwhile.
How much money do you need per day in Argentina? ›You should plan to spend around AR$7,300 ($39) per day on your vacation in Argentina, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, AR$2,358 ($13) on meals for one day and AR$1,598 ($8.61) on local transportation.
Is driving in Argentina easy? ›
That said, driving in Argentina is safe. Drive the speed limit and respect the laws and you won't have any problems. What is this? Driving is most stressful in Buenos Aires city and its surroundings.
How to get to Tigre from Retiro by train? ›Trenes Argentinos operates a train from Retiro LM to Tigre every 20 minutes. Tickets cost $23 - $35 and the journey takes 51 min. Alternatively, Buenos Aires Colectivos operates a vehicle from 2241 Las Heras General Av. to Avenida Cazón 1101 every 5 minutes. Tickets cost $30 - $33 and the journey takes 2h 4m.
How much is transport from Delta to Ogun State? ›The best way to get from Delta to Ogun without a car is to bus and train which takes 16h 39m and costs $30 - $50.
Does Buenos Aires have a metro? ›The Buenos Aires subte was the first underground metro (subway) system in Latin America (line A opened in 1913), and it's often the quickest way to get around the city, especially when travelling to and from the downtown area.
What is Tigre known for? ›You can rent kayaks, take a boat ride, enjoy lunch by the riverside, and take a stroll along the riverbanks. Tigre is also known for its local markets and varied merchants, so it is an excellent place to find handicrafts and gifts.
Are Tigre Muslims? ›About 95% of Tigre practice Islam, the remainder practice Christianity, and both incorporate elements of the animist folk religion.
What does the Tigre stands for? ›Texas Internet Grid for Research and Education. TIGRE.
What is the best month to visit Buenos Aires? ›Best time to visit Buenos Aires
For a refreshingly crisp climate and moderate prices in Buenos Aires, the shoulder seasons of September to December (spring/ early summer) and April to June (fall/early winter) are the best times to visit.
Can I drive in Uruguay with a US license? Yes. As mentioned, any foreign tourist can drive in Uruguay as someone who carries their US driver's license just by using an International Driving Permit as per the Convention on Road Traffic by the United Nations.
What visa do US citizens need to go to Argentina? ›Private U.S. citizens do not need a visa for visits of up to 90 days for tourism or business. Diplomatic or official passport holders must obtain visas prior to arrival. The U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires cannot help travelers with obtaining Brazilian, Paraguayan, or other visas.
How long is the ferry ride from Colonia to Buenos Aires? ›
How long does the ferry from Colonia to Buenos Aires take? The average journey time by ferry between Colonia to Buenos Aires is 1 hrs 15 min.
How much is the ferry from Buenos Aires to Colonia? ›| Adults | Children under 1 year old | |
|---|---|---|
| One way ferry trip | US$ 50 | US$ 6.25 |
| Return ferry trip | US$ 87.50 | US$ 12.50 |
Buquebus ferries depart from the main ferry terminal in Buenos Aires in Puerto Madero and arrive at the Colonia Terminal, a 10 minute walk to the historic center.
Are Tigray Arabs? ›...
Tigrayans.
| ተጋሩ | |
|---|---|
| Tigrayan girls | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Ethiopia | 4,483,776 (2007) |
| Languages | |
The Tigrinya language borrows a lot of words from other languages including 'pasta' and 'makina' - car - from Italian and 'komputer' and 'radio' from English. Learning to speak Tigrinya is very straightforward and experts say 'you write as you read it and you read as you write it'.
Are Tigrayans Eritreans? ›Tigrinyas, Tigrayans and Tigre
In Eritrea the Tigrinya people are referred to as Biher-Tigrinya people or the "Kebessa" people, kebessa meaning Eritrean highlands. Both the Tigrinya and Tigre tribes in Eritrea are very close kin to the ethnic group Tigrayans in Tigray, Ethiopia.
How much Time to Spend in Buenos Aires? A minimum of three days. That way you can see a lot of the city's main sights without having to travel at a breakneck speed. If you are trying to see Buenos Aires in a day, you can also have a great time (as long as you are willing to move at a pretty fast pace).
How much time do you need for Patagonia? ›For most people, spending 7 to 10 days should be enough to thoroughly enjoy the region. To be clear, you won't nearly be able to experience everything Patagonia has to offer in the 7 to 10 days. Additionally, different seasons will have very different experiences to offer.
Is it worth going to El Calafate? ›One of the best gateways to Patagonia, El Calafate is definitely worth a visit. Not only can you easily get into the city with its international airport, but you can start exploring all Patagonia has to offer as soon as you land since El Calafate is home to Perito Moreno Glacier and Los Glaciares National Park.
What is the difference between Tigre and Tigray? ›From what I have observed and read in related material in the field setting, the name "Tigray" is the Tigrinya word for the people in Ethiopia, whereas the Amharic form of the same name is "Tigre." This difference in the forms of the name are found in comparing the fidel spellings, as well as noting sources of the ...
Is Tigre the same as Tigrinya? ›
...
Tigre language.
| Tigre | |
|---|---|
| Glottolog | tigr1270 |
- Things to do in San Marino.
- Take in San Marino's epic views.
- See San Marino's Towers. Guaita Tower (first tower) Cesta Tower (second tower) Montale (third tower)
- Explore San Marino Old Town.
- Do some duty-free shopping.
- Try a Piadina.
- The Basilica del Santo.
- Get a San Marino Passport Stamp.
How many days should I stay in El Calafate? We recommend visiting Calafate for at least 3 nights. This way you can visit the Perito Moreno Glacier and another attraction in the area. There are many full day excursions worthwhile.