Attraction
Teatro Colón
Buenos Aires' great opera house, opened in 1908 with Verdi's Aida and famed for its acoustics, with daily 50-minute guided tours of its halls.
Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur
A 350-hectare wetland reserve on reclaimed land beside Puerto Madero, protected since 1986 and listed as a Ramsar site, with trails to the Río de la Plata.
At a glance
- Type
- Nature reserve and wetland
- Area
- Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Official site
- buenosaires.gob.ar
Good to know
- Ramsar wetland
- Walking and cycling trails
- Birdwatching
- Two entrances
Why we recommend it
The Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur is the green surprise of central Buenos Aires: some 350 hectares of grassland, ponds and scrub between the towers of Puerto Madero and the Río de la Plata. It was never planned as a park. From 1978 the city began reclaiming land from the river here, using the Dutch polder method with embankments built from demolition rubble, intending to build on it. Filling continued on and off until 1984, then stopped, plants grew spontaneously from seeds carried in the river silt, and birds and other animals followed.
Nature lovers and birdwatchers soon adopted the area, and on 5 June 1986 the City Council voted unanimously to protect it. In 2005 it was designated a Ramsar wetland of international importance. Before the reclamation, the riverside here had been the city's municipal bathing resort, which opened in 1918 and declined from the late 1950s.
Visiting is simple. Trails lead through the reserve to the riverbank, and the flat paths suit walkers, joggers and cyclists. Birdwatchers come for the waterbirds on the ponds and the variety of species in the reeds and woodland, so binoculars are worth packing. The city has added interpretive walkways and lookouts, and the reserve also has a plant nursery and a wildlife rescue centre. The reserve's grasslands are vulnerable to fire, as a large blaze in January 2009 showed, so respect any restrictions. Shade is limited, so take water, a hat and sun protection in summer, and allow two to three hours if you want to reach the river and return.
Opening hours are seasonal. The city's information lists the reserve as open from Tuesday to Sunday and on public holidays, from 08:00 to 18:00 between April and October and from 08:00 to 19:00 between November and March, and closed on Mondays. Check the city website before you go, as times can change.
The reserve suits families, runners and anyone wanting fresh air without leaving the city. There are two entrances: Avenida Dr. Tristán Achával Rodríguez 1550 and Avenida Intendente Hernán M. Giralt 70. Both lie on the Puerto Madero side of the reserve, so a meal in the docklands district makes an easy addition to the day.
Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur FAQs
When is the reserve open?
The city lists Tuesday to Sunday and holidays, 08:00 to 18:00 from April to October and 08:00 to 19:00 from November to March; it is closed on Mondays.
Where are the entrances?
At Avenida Dr. Tristán Achával Rodríguez 1550 and Avenida Intendente Hernán M. Giralt 70.
How big is it?
About 350 hectares.
How was the reserve created?
It grew on land reclaimed with demolition rubble from 1978; plants colonised it naturally and the city protected it in 1986.
Is it good for birdwatching?
Yes. The ponds and reeds attract many birds, and it has been a Ramsar wetland since 2005, so bring binoculars.
Can I cycle there?
The flat trails are popular with walkers, joggers and cyclists; check the city's current rules at the entrance.
What should I bring?
Water, a hat and sun protection, as shade is limited, and comfortable shoes for the trails.