Resistencia

The hot and energetic capital of the Province of Chaco, Resistencia is the commercial centre for the Chaco region together with the port of Barranqueras, just to the south on the Río Paraná. It's a modern city, not architecturally rich, but boasting an impressive number of sculptures by renowned artists, earning it the title of 'city of statues'. There's also a splendid central plaza, a nature reserve and the lovely Isla del Cerrito within easy reach, making it an appealing alternative stopover to neighbouring Corrientes on the journey between Iguazú and Salta. 

Sights

The large Plaza 25 de Mayo occupies four blocks in the centre of the city, with a variety of indigenous plants and palms turning it into a mini botanical garden.

Five blocks from here, there's an informal cultural centre, Fogón de los Arrieros, (literally, 'the hearth of the muleteers'). This rather wonderful institution was formed by artists in the late 1960s, who decided to make the city an open air gallery, with public spaces filled with sculpture and murals. The centre itself still operates as a meeting place and exhibition space. Inspiring, and highly recommended. In the surrounding streets, you'll find more than 175 pieces of art by the country's finest artists.

The Museo del Hombre Chaqueño is a small anthropological museum covering the story of colonization in the region, with a fine exhibition of handicrafts by native Wichi, Toba and Mocoví peoples, together with a fascinating mythology section in which small statues represent the Guaraní peoples' beliefs. Many of the rituals detailed are still practised in rural areas today, and are characterized by creatures of the marsh and woodland.

The Isla del Cerrito, a beautiful island northeast of Resistencia at the confluence of the Ríos Paraná and Paraguay, has a provincial nature reserve of 12,000 ha, covered mainly with grassland and palm trees. At the eastern end of the island (51 km from Resistencia), on the Río Paraná, in Cerrito, there's an attractive tourist complex with white sand beaches, a history museum, accommodation and restaurants, all very busy during the Fiesta Nacional del Doradoon the opposite shores in Paso de la Patria. 

The Chaco National Park, 115 km northwest of Resistencia, extends over 15,000 ha and protects one of the last remaining untouched areas of the Wet Chaco with its exceptional quebracho colorado trees, Carandaypalms and dense riverine forests, with orchids growing along the banks of the Río Negro. It is a very good place for birdwatching, with 340 species having been sighted in the park, including the parrot loro hablador. You're certain to be woken in the morning by the loud screams of Carayámonkeys, though other mammals living in the park may be less obtrusive, like the collared peccary, the corzuela parda, the puma and the yaguarundí cat (Felis jaguamindi). Two short footpaths, sendero del puente colganteand sendero del abuelo, respectively lead to the banks of the Río Negro, and to an 800-year-old specimen of the quebracho tree. A vehicle road goes north 6 km up to two high mangrullosor view points, overlooking the two lakes, Laguna Carpincho and Laguna Yacaré, where, with a bit of patience, you'll see yacarés(alligators). Another track, suitable only for 4WD vehicles, goes south, through a forest of quebrachotrees and after 9 km reaches the peaceful Laguna Panza de Cabra.