El Palmar National Park is an 8,500-hectare protected area in the Colon department of Entre Rios province, on the western shore of the Uruguay River, 46 km south of Colon and 360 km north of Buenos Aires via paved RN 14. Created on January 28, 1966 by Law 17,101, it was designated in 1998 as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve for preserving the most important remnant of the yatay palm (Butia yatay) woodland — a native species of the southern cone, reaching 18 meters tall, living 300-500 years, producing edible yellow fruit, whose natural range was reduced by 95% through 500 years of agricultural deforestation. El Palmar protects roughly 85,000 yatay specimens — the world's largest concentration — many over 250 years old, scattered across a unique pampean-mesopotamian savanna landscape with gallery forests along streams and natural grasslands. Beyond the palms, the park hosts exceptional biodiversity with 300+ recorded bird species (pampas hawk, ferruginous pygmy owl, toco toucan), mammals like grey foxes, viscachas, armadillos, rheas, wildcats and the critically endangered maned wolf, and reptiles including the broad-snouted caiman and eight snake species. The park also protects a 2-kilometer river beach on the Uruguay River with warm freshwater (22-26°C in summer), fine sand and iconic sunsets — Uruguay (the country) visible to the east. Three main trails let you explore on foot: Arroyo Los Loros (3 km round trip, 1h30, easy, passing ancient palms and a wooden bridge with herons), Arroyo El Palmar (5 km round trip, 3 hours, moderate, ending at the river beach), and Arroyo La Glorieta (2 km, family, with a picnic area). All are signposted with interpretive stops and suitable for families with children 5+. The park operates 8:00-18:00 in summer (November-March) and 8:00-17:00 in winter, with admission of USD 15 for foreigners, USD 7 Mercosur and USD 3 Argentine residents, valid 24 hours with re-entry. Inside the park there is an official campground with full services (USD 10/person/night) and Glamping El Palmar (equipped safari tents, USD 85-130 double). Outside the park, the hotel base is Colon (46 km north) or Villa Elisa (60 km west). It can be done in 1 day from Colon or 2 days camping. It is an essential stop on the BA-Iguazu route via RN 14 and a natural pairing with Colon (hot springs), Concepcion del Uruguay (San Jose Palace), Gualeguaychu (carnival) and Uruguay (crossings via Paysandu/Fray Bentos).
Getting there — distances & times
| From | Distance | Bus | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colon | 46 km | — | 40 min |
| Concepcion del Uruguay | 85 km | — | 1 h 15 |
| Gualeguaychu | 190 km | — | 2 h 30 |
| Concordia | 70 km | — | 1 h |
| Parana capital | 320 km | — | 4 h |
| Buenos Aires | 360 km | 5 h | 4 h 30 |
| Paysandu (Uruguay) | 65 km | — | 1 h + border |
Typical prices by category
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Foreigner entry (24 h) | USD 15 |
| Mercosur entry | USD 7 |
| Argentine resident entry | USD 3 |
| Official camping (per person/night) | USD 10 |
| Glamping El Palmar (double) | USD 85-130 |
| 3★ Hotel Colon (double) | USD 65-110 |
| Half-day excursion from Colon | USD 45-65 |
| Colon → El Palmar transfer round trip | USD 30-45 |
| Bicycle rental at camping | USD 15/day |
| Kayak on the Uruguay River | USD 25/hour |
| Lunch at lodge | USD 15-22 |
Prices April 2026. Easter, Carnival, winter holidays: +30-50%.
The 3 Main Trails
Arroyo Los Loros (easy, 1h30)
3 km round-trip trail, completely flat, suitable for families with small children and wheelchairs (first stretch). Starts at Arroyo El Palmar Gate. Passes through woodlands of century-old yatay palms 15-18 m tall. Crosses a wooden bridge over a stream where you can spot white herons, black-crowned night herons and cormorants fishing. Interpretive stops every 500 m with flora and fauna info. Ends at a viewpoint over the palm forest with 360° views. Ideal for visitors with limited time (90 minutes) or with kids.
Arroyo El Palmar (moderate, 3h)
The most popular trail. 5 km round trip, 3 hours. Starts at the gate and crosses native woodland with the highest biodiversity, follows the El Palmar stream with sections of crystal-clear water where you can see fish, and ends at the Uruguay River beach where you can swim in summer (warm water 22-26°C, fine sand, Uruguay visible to the east). Bring swimsuit, towel, lunch, repellent. The most complete circuit for spending the day. Out at midday, back at sunset with golden light over the palms.
Arroyo La Glorieta (family, 1h)
Short loop (2 km, 1 hour) near the park's main office. Includes a picnic area with tables and BBQ pits, an interpretive zone with rescued animals (viscachas, foxes), and a snack kiosk with drinks. Ideal for families with children under 5 or to wrap up the day after other trails.
What to Do in El Palmar
Wildlife Watching
Capybaras (the world's largest rodent, up to 70 kg) are abundant and used to humans. They are seen in groups of 10-30 near streams. Rheas run across the grasslands. At dawn and dusk you can spot foxes, armadillos and viscachas. Maned wolves occasionally in remote areas. 300+ birds: 2 hours of birdwatching with binoculars are enough to see 40-50 species.
Swimming in the Uruguay River
River beach accessible from the Arroyo El Palmar trail. Warm freshwater (22-26°C in summer), fine sand, no tides. Season November-March. Palm and reed shade. Spectacular sunset with the sun dropping over Uruguay.
Camping Under the Palms
The official campground has 200 plots with natural shade from ancient palms, restrooms with hot showers, a small store, public BBQ pits and drinking water. Limited WiFi. Family atmosphere, highly recommended for 1-2 nights. USD 10/person/night. Book in high season.
Kayak and Bicycle
Kayak rental at the camping (USD 25/hour) to paddle the El Palmar stream out to the Uruguay River. Bicycle rental (USD 15/day) for the park's interior tracks (15 km of cycling-friendly trails).
Tours to El Palmar NP
Half-day El Palmar from Colon
Colon-Palmar transfer + park entry + guided Arroyo Los Loros walk + return. 5 hours. With naturalist guide.
Glamping El Palmar 2 nights
Safari tent for 2 with bed, bathroom, solar lighting. Breakfast, park entry, evening campfire, sunset over the river included.
Birdwatching with biologist (dawn)
Dawn departure (6:00) with a specialist biologist, binoculars included. 4 hours, 40+ species sightings. Park breakfast.
Combining with Colon and Beyond
El Palmar is a day stop within the Uruguay River circuit. Ideal combo:
- Day 1: Colon downtown + Colon hot springs + dinner on the riverside.
- Day 2: El Palmar NP full day (with lunch on the beach).
- Day 3: Concepcion del Uruguay (San Jose Palace museum), return.
Also pairs with: Entre Rios hub, Gualeguaychu (2h 30 south), Ibera Wetlands (north), Iguazu (via RN 14).
How to Get There
By car from Buenos Aires: 360 km via RN 9 + RN 12 + Zarate Bridge + RN 14 north. 4h30 with good traffic. Tolls USD 15-20.
By bus: from Retiro to Colon (5 h, USD 22-38, Flechabus/Jovi Bus). Then taxi or shuttle to the park (USD 15-25 round trip — ask at your hotel).
From Uruguay: cross at Paysandu (Uruguay) → Colon via the General Artigas Bridge. Documents: passport for non-Argentines.
