In the northwest of Formosa, among palm groves and changing lagoons, extends the Bañado La Estrella, a wetland of 400,000 hectares that has become the most relevant tourist attraction in the province and one of the most unique ecosystems in Argentina.
Its ecological importance as a natural water regulator, along with its scenic beauty and biodiversity, led to its selection in 2019 as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the country.
Dynamic ecosystem and liquid beauty
The wetland arises from the seasonal overflow of the Pilcomayo River, turning it into an intermittent system: it appears and disappears according to river floods, offering changing postcards throughout the year.
- Its visible extension reaches 220 kilometers in length, comparable to a liquid snake meandering among dry trees and grasslands
- The Vertedero, 45 km from Las Lomitas, is the most common access point, via Provincial Route 28, passable in the dry season
Unique flora and flooded landscape
The environment is populated by:
- Champales: flooded forests of dead trees, colonized by climbers
- Caranday palms, carob trees, bulrushes, reeds
- Seasonal lagoons and wet shrubs, creating habitats for aquatic and terrestrial species
Endangered biodiversity and unforgettable encounters
The fauna includes iconic and threatened species, such as:
- Caimans basking on logs
- Capybaras, marsh deer, anteaters
- Maned wolf and sporadic sightings of jaguars
- Jabiru stork, the largest in America, flying over the wetlands
Birdwatchers, photographers, and nature tourists find here one of the last great wild refuges in the country.
Responsible tourism and local communities
Experiences include:
- Sunset canoe rides
- Guided walks, horseback riding, photographic safaris
- Organization and hospitality offered by indigenous communities, sharing ancestral knowledge and territorial wisdom
The site still retains low human intervention, ensuring an authentic and environmentally respectful experience, while also offering a model of inclusive and community-based tourism.
A wetland of continental scale
Bañado La Estrella ranks third among the most extensive wetlands in South America, behind:
- Pantanal (Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia)
- Esteros del Iberá (Corrientes, Argentina)
Still unknown to large sectors of the Argentine population, it represents a unique opportunity for Formosa to position itself as a reference natural destination, attracting national and neighboring visitors.
Cover photo: argentinaextrema.com
