In Rivadavia Department, rivers and cultural events offer different ways to orient your trip. The Río Pilcomayo and the Río Bermejo shape the landscape; crafts, festivals and activities are associated with specific places such as Santa Victoria Este, Rivadavia Banda Norte and Rivadavia Banda Sur. For your trip planning, it is helpful to distinguish between them: you can focus on river landscapes, culture or a particular festival month, rather than treating the different locations as a single touring itinerary.

Rivers and protected areas

Las Cañadas is designated in Rivadavia Department as a protected area in the Reserva Natural de Uso Múltiple category (Multiple-Use Nature Reserve). Among the department’s notable wetlands are the Bañados de los Colorados. The Río Bermejo is the main river that irrigates the department. It changes its course and name along its way, later becoming known as the Teuco; lush vegetation grows along its banks.

Santa Victoria Este lies on the Río Pilcomayo. The river forms a natural border between Argentina and Paraguay as far as its mouth at the Río Paraguay. It is also an important spawning and feeding ground for fish such as sábalo, pacú, dorado, surubí and boga. Another reference point for understanding the border area is the nearby Hito Esmeralda, a tripoint between Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia. These connections show different aspects of the river region: its ecological role as well as its geographic location.

Wichí crafts and regional culture

In Rivadavia Banda Norte, carving Palo Santo wood by hand is among the Wichí arts and crafts. Wichí women there weave with chaguar, a plant with long, thorny leaves that grows abundantly in the region. Chaguar craftsmanship is passed down from generation to generation. Wichí artisans obtain dyes for their work from seeds, fruits, roots or tree bark. Wood carving, weaving and making natural dyes represent different materials and craft techniques.

In Rivadavia Banda Sur, Wichí residents make ceramic household items. There, the Wichí mainly gather fruit and honey. These cultural connections complement the river and protected-area themes with local craft traditions and another facet of life in the region.

Festivals tied to specific places and months

The Fiesta de la Cultura Nativa takes place in May in Santa Victoria Este as a gathering focused on solidarity and integration. It was launched in 2009 at the initiative of a singer. As a meeting place, it promotes the cultural integration of Indigenous communities and brings together visitors from different parts of Argentina.

The multi-day Festival Folclórico Trichaco takes place in July at Paraje Rancho El Ñato in Santa Victoria Este. It is organized by Chaqueño Palavecino, and well-known artists gather there. An account of the 2017 15th edition mentions hundreds of tourists and well-known artists. Also in Santa Victoria Este, the patron-saint festival in honor of the Virgen de las Victorias is celebrated in October. In Rivadavia Banda Norte, the patron-saint festival in honor of San Lorenzo takes place in August. The events are therefore spread across several months and tied to specific places.

Routes and trip planning

Ruta 54 connects National Route 34 with the north of Rivadavia Department. National Route 81 is another useful reference: it crosses the department and continues to the city of Formosa. Check current road conditions before setting out. The railway line toward Formosa also offers a historical point of reference for transportation: it had a station in Morillo, in Rivadavia Department.

Rivadavia Banda Sur is part of the Yungas Biosphere Reserve, where numerous plant and animal species can be observed. Near the Río Bermejo, you can also fish there on a catch-and-release basis. Plan your trip around the specific themes and places in Rivadavia Department. If you are traveling for a festival, check the event dates in advance.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: San Julián, Palmar, Santa Carlos, General José de San Martín Department, Rosario de la Frontera Department, Anta Department, Cerrillos Department, La Caldera Department.

For the broader travel overview: Salta.