Tigre

The Basics

The highlight of a visit to Tigre is a boat cruise around the Tigre Delta, a scenic expanse of marshlands dotted with islands, traditional stilt houses, and floating markets. The town itself is easy to explore on a walking tour, taking in the harborside market and colonial architecture, or visiting the Parque de la Costa theme park.

Day tours from Buenos Aires often combine a visit to Tigre with the nearby colonial town of San Isidro. For the best value, combine a half-day tour of Tigre with a Buenos Aires city tour, an evening tango show, or a sightseeing cruise along the Rio de la Plata.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The town has a few notable museums, including the Tigre Art Museum and the Mate Museum, devoted to Argentina’s famous tea.

• Water sports like kayaking and wakeboarding are enjoyed along the river during the summer months.

• There are a number of cafés and restaurants located around the marketplace.

How to Get to There

The Argentine town of Tigre lies in the Tigre Delta, about 20 miles (50 kilometers) north of Buenos Aires. It is connected to the capital by regular trains (45 minutes from Buenos Aires’ central station) or by boat from the Puerto Madero docks (summer only).

When to Get There

Weekends can get busy in Tigre, especially during the summer months, but the crowds also add to the atmosphere, particularly at the daily market. Boat cruises run year-round, but activities like kayaking are only available during the summer and the Parque de la Costa theme park is only open on weekends. Sunset cruises around the Delta make for stunning photos.

Cruising the Tigre Delta

The Tigre Delta is one of the world’s largest natural deltas, stretching over 5,400 square miles (14,000 square kilometers), and takes its name from the wild tigers and jaguars that once roamed the area. The islands, forests, and villages of the delta are reachable only by boat, and the canal banks are lined with stilted houses, yacht clubs, and luxury villas, including the house of former Argentina president Sarmiento.

What is there to see in Tigre on foot?

Tigre is small enough to explore on foot, and you can browse the local market, stroll around the harbor, and visit attractions such as the Naval Museum and the Parque de la Costa theme park. To explore further, many travelers opt for a boat cruise around the Tigre Delta.

What should I do in Tigre for a day?

Tigre can easily be explored on a day trip, starting with a boat cruise around the islands and floating markets of the Tigre Delta. Afterward, stroll around the harbor, browse the local market, and visit the Naval Museum, or head to the popular Parque de la Costa theme park.

How do you get to Tigre from Buenos Aires?

The most convenient way to get to Tigre is to take one of the regular trains from Buenos Aires Central Station, a 45-minute journey. For a more scenic option, take one of the boats that set out from Puerto Madero docks in summer. Alternatively, travel by car or tour.

What can you do in Tigre for free?

There are many free things to do in Tigre, including browsing the lively waterfront market, strolling around the pretty harbor, and walking along Avenida Victorica, which takes you along the river to the landmark Tigre Art Museum. To explore further, there are many scenic hiking trails around the Tigre Delta.

What is the best time of year to visit Tigre?

Tigre is a popular destination for a day trip at any time of year, and weather-dependent boat cruises run year-round. You can’t beat summer (December-February) as Tigre is the perfect place to escape Buenos Aires’ heat to swim or do water sports along the Tigre Delta.

Can you go to Tigre on your own?

Yes. While many travelers opt to join a tour, there are regular train connections between Buenos Aires and Tigre, making it easy to organize your own day trip. Most Tigre attractions are easy to explore independently on foot, and you can join a Tigre Delta boat cruise from the harbor.

Ways to explore

To visit Tigre from Buenos Aires, you need at least half a day, but a full day or weekend is even better. Join a boat cruise or kayaking excursion around the Tigre Delta, then explore the town on a walking tour, grab lunch at a riverside restaurant, and shop for local handicrafts at the Puerto de Frutos market by the marina.

Day tours from Buenos Aires often combine a visit to Tigre with the nearby colonial town of San Isidro or include a one-way boat cruise from Puerto Madero to Tigre.

Accessibility

The town has mostly flat, paved surfaces that are accessible for travelers using wheelchairs. Boat tours may not be accessible, so check with tour providers before booking.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Camera, sunscreen, binoculars (for wildlife-watching in the delta), cash (it’s still the preferred payment option at the market), a dry bag if kayaking

What to wear

Layers, comfortable shoes, a swimsuit or quick-dry clothing (if kayaking)

Not allowed

Docking on private islands or waterfront properties; disturbing, interacting with, or feeding wildlife

Amenities

Tigre is located about 20 miles (50 kilometers) north of Buenos Aires, along the Río de la Plata. It’s accessible by car, boat, and public transportation, but the easiest way to visit is to book a half- or full-day tour with round-trip transport from Buenos Aires.

Address

If you’re driving to Tigre from Buenos Aires, take Ruta Nacional 9 (Panamericana) north and exit at Acceso Tigre (Route 27), following signs for Tigre Centro. Public parking is available along the riverfront and near the Puerto de Frutos market. Traffic can be heavy, so expect the 30-minute drive to take 45 minutes or more at busy times.

Driving

From Buenos Aires, you can take the Mitre Line train from Retiro station to Tigre—it’s about a 50-minute journey. There is no public ferry to Tigre; arriving by boat is only possible as part of a tour.

Public transportation

While most travelers visit on a day trip, spending the night means you can watch the sunset across the delta and wake up early to browse the market before the day-trippers arrive.

Best times to visit

Weekends always pull in a crowd in Tigre, but if you visit during the week, it’s much quieter, especially outside the peak summer months. You might even have the water all to yourself.

Best days to visit

The liveliest time to visit is in summer, when the coastal theme park is open and water sports are available along the delta. However, the peak months of January and February can be crowded.

Best months to visit

In September or October, the colorful Fiesta Nacional de la Flor (National Flower Festival) takes place in neighboring Escobar.