In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Argentina
Mercedes
Mercedes, Corrientes
Use Mercedes as a transport hub for Esteros del Iberá and Colonia Carlos Pellegrini: one night before or after the wetlands, not a destination on its own.
Mercedes is a quiet Corrientes town that serves as the practical gateway to the Iberá Wetlands. Most travellers pass through to arrange transport to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini or to break a long bus journey. The town itself has a few sights and a strong siesta rhythm; one night is enough.
- Country
- Argentina
- Local name
- Mercedes, Corrientes
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (hot and humid), Jul (cold)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- ARS
- Money
- Currency is the Argentine peso (ARS, $). About ARS 1,450–1,600 per US dollar in mid-2026 — check; inflation has slowed but prices still move, so do not rely on old guides.
- Daily spend
- Budget ARS 15,000–25,000 excl. bed · Mid ARS 25,000–45,000 excl. bed · High ARS 45,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Claro, Movistar and Personal cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their shops with a passport, or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police 911 · Ambulance 107 · Fire 100
- Plugs
- Types I, C · 220 V · 50 Hz · Type I sockets are like Australia's, but with live and neutral reversed; bring a universal adapter.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: About 10% in cash; the cubierto (cover charge) is not a tip.; Taxi / app: Round up.; Hotel porter: ARS equivalent of US$1–2 per bag.; Tour guide: US$5–10 per person a day.; Ushers at tango shows / football: Small tip customary.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable in Buenos Aires and most cities; in the Northwest and rural areas ask or use bottled.
- Toilets
- Use cafés, shopping centres and bus terminals (small fee sometimes); carry tissues.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | ARS 800–1,500 |
| Empanada | ARS 1,000–2,000 |
| Beer (bottle) | ARS 1,500–3,000 |
| Bus to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini | ARS 2,500 (check) |
| Boat tour in Esteros del Iberá | ARS 15,000–25,000 (check) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CNQ · Corrientes Airport
- About 2 h by bus; check connections
- PSS · Posadas Airport
- About 2.5 h by bus; check connections
Typical fares
- Bus terminal → town centre
- walkable, about 10 min
- Bus to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini
- about ARS 2,500, 3 h, Monday–Saturday noon (check)
- Taxi from Mercedes to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini
- about ARS 30,000–50,000 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town is walkable. For Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, take the daily bus (about noon, 3 h, dirt road) or arrange a transfer through your accommodation.
See and do
Known for
- Gateway to Esteros del Iberá
- Siesta culture
- Estancia Rincon del Socorro
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Colonia Carlos Pellegrini | Daily bus from Mercedes terminal (about noon, 3 h) or arranged transfer | 3–3.5 h |
| Esteros del Iberá | From Colonia Carlos Pellegrini: boat tours, walking trails, or 4x4 | From Mercedes: 3–3.5 h to the park entrance |
| Esquina | Bus from Mercedes, about 1.5 h | About 2 h |
| Paso de los Libres | Bus from Mercedes, about 2 h | About 2.5 h |
Sleep
- Town centre
- Near the bus terminal and main square; most budget and mid-range options.
- Estancias outside town
- Rincon del Socorro and similar estancias offer full-board stays; require own transport or arranged transfer.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello / Good morning | Hola / Buenos díasOH-lah / BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs |
| Thank you | GraciasGRAH-syahs |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAHN-toh KWES-tah |
| Where is the bus to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini? | ¿Dónde está el colectivo a Colonia Carlos Pellegrini?DOHN-deh es-TAH el koh-lehk-TEE-voh ah koh-LOH-nyah KAR-lohs peh-leh-GREE-nee |
| I would like a room | Quisiera una habitaciónkee-SYEH-rah OO-nah ah-bee-tah-SYOHN |
| Do you accept credit card? | ¿Aceptan tarjeta de crédito?ah-SEP-tahn tar-HEH-tah deh KREH-dee-toh |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: One cheek kiss among friends; handshake in business; avoid: Refusing a kiss from a new acquaintance's friends
- Mate circle: Drink the whole gourd and hand it back to the server; avoid: Stirring the straw
- Dinner: Eat late and linger; avoid: Expecting service at 18:00
- Punctuality: Arrive 15–30 minutes late for social events; avoid: Arriving early at a home
- Conversation: Talk football, food, family; avoid: Opening with the Falklands or Peronism
Scams and watch-outs
- Siesta: many shops and restaurants close 13:00–17:00.
- The bus to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini runs Monday–Saturday only; book in advance.
- Dirt roads to the wetlands can be impassable after heavy rain; check conditions.
- ATMs may run out of cash; bring enough pesos for the wetlands.
Mercedes is generally safe. Watch for stray dogs and keep valuables out of sight. The main risk is the dirt road to the wetlands after rain.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Mercedes yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Gateway to Esteros del Iberá
- Siesta culture
- Estancia Rincon del Socorro
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Mercedes (Corrientes), revision 5310080 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5310080
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
MercedesMercedes, Corrientes
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
The US embassy is in Buenos Aires; most other countries have embassies in Buenos Aires. Check /argentina/visa-requirements.
Carry enough pesos; ATMs in Mercedes may run out.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/mercedes-corrientes). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.