This Senior Loves Corrientes

Why do a travel blog for seniors on Corrientes, Argentina?  Because I’ve been there.  A few years back my wife and I were a host family for our “Argentine Son”,  Alejandro from Corrientes.  Ale lived with us for almost two years, attended the high school  where I taught, and now is an international flight attendant. Ale’s family have been close friends for over 30 years.  After Ale graduated from high school, we traveled with him to his hometown, Corrientes, where we spent the month of July ( it is cold in July in Argentina).

We have many fond memories of our journey south and I wish to share some with you.  Besides Corrientes was a trip to Brazil where we experienced the world famous Iguazú Falls and then the remnants of a major Jesuit undertaking in Misiones Province.

Corrientes is the capital city of the province of Corrientes  located on the eastern shore of the Paraná River, about 1,000 km (621 mi) from Buenos Aires. It has a population of approximately 350,000, has a mix of colonial and modern architecture and is home to one of the biggest carnival celebrations in the country.

Don’t miss a walk along the river drive, which has natural balconies looking over the river, a visit to the zoo, to the museums or shopping along Junín pedestrian street.  Corrientes is a great city for senior strolling… safe, inviting, with historical monuments all over the city.  The city of Corrientes features beautiful buildings that were constructed in colonial times, with European influence and elegant architecture..

Then There is the Paraná River

The Paraná River, South America’s third largest river (after the Negro and Amazon Rivers), looks like a huge lake.   It ranks with the greatest rivers of the world: the Nile, the Amazon, the Yangtze and the Mississippi.  It’s muddy and full of fish. The bridge over the Paraná is awesome, built in the 1970s, connects Corrientes to its sister city, Resistencia, on the western bank of the river.

The name Paraná is an abbreviation of the phrase “para rehe onáva”, which comes from the Tupi language and means “like the sea” (that is, “as big as the sea”). Corrientes offers a tourist landscape where seniors can enjoy the sport fishing of dorado. 

There is Much for Seniors To See and Do

The world-famous Iguazú Falls are said to be the “most beautiful waterfalls in the world.”  We totally agree! The term “awesome” does not do the falls justice. It is simply “inspiring!“.

In Misiones Province, we visited the former Jesuit missionary site and walked through the ruins of this once magnificent structure.  It is a World Heritage site…that says it all. In the area are the very impressive ruins of five Jesuit missions, built in the land of the Guaranis during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Check into February when Corrientes dresses up to celebrate its unique carnivals.  This would be an ideal time for seniors to schedule a visit to Corrientes.  Enjoy the city and the environment as we did. jeb