You are here: Home » Articles » Ibera Creeks, Water Mirrors
Ibera Creeks, Water Mirrors in Argentina
By Mariel Lizana, journalist
The Ibera Creeks (Esteros del Ibera), are located in Corrientes province, at the northeast of Argentina, are a huge ecosystem which is in the center of a great area of wetlands. The guarani word ibera means "brilliant water" and it is the perfect way to define the beauty of these natural lagoons, which reflect the sky of sunrise and sunset like a mirror.
The Ibera Creeks are the second biggest wetland of the world, after the brazilian Pantanal. This zone has approximately 25 thousand of squared kilometres, becoming an excellent environment for local flora and fauna.
The swamps and lagoons of Ibera Creeks drain slowly their waters to Corrientes and Miriñay rivers, but the Esteros are always filled with water by the constant tropical rains. The orientation in this place is very difficult, because the landscape changes almost everyday. One example of this are the "embalsados", which are rafts created by plants and roots, that move across the waters. These "embalsados" are strong enough to carry a person... but if you take one of them, you dont know where you may end!
Because of their difficult geography and their extreme climate, the only inhabitants that live on Ibera are the local animals, which find their shelter on this natural reserve. Most of this fauna has an aquatic behaviour, like the yacaré overo, a specie of crocodile threatened by its skin. Other animals are the beautiful and peaceful carpinchos, the biggest rodent of the entire world, the ocelote, which is a specie of feline and others. All of them are part of this wonderful natural environment.
The best way to discover this unexplored land is start on the Ibera Centre of Interpretation, located in the Carlos Pellegrini colony, close to Posadas city. Here you will find exhibitions of flora, fauna and geography of Ibera Creeks. The centre also offers paths to walk by the shores of the lagoon, with an expert guide who knows the tracks and the behaviour of the animals of the park.
Another choice to discover Ibera Creeks is with a local guide, who will take you to the appropriate paths to not get lost inside this huge tropical zone. The best of the year to visit the park is in winter time, where the temperatures are lower and there are less insects. If you come on summer, the flora will show an unforgettable spectacle, but you cannot walk at every hour, for the suffocating heat.
Esteros del Ibera are located in Corrientes province, in the "Argentinian Mesopotamia", where are two rivers, the Uruguay river at east and Parana river at north and west. This conditions create a hot and wet climate, with temperatures that can rise over 44 Celsius degrees.
There are many alternatives of lodging to stay close Ibera Creeks. One of them is Corrientes and also there are cottages in front of Parana rivers shores, where the guests can observe closely the beauty of this impressive place.Ibera Creeks are just another surprise that Argentina offers to its visitors.
