Top Things Corrientes Province Is Famous For Beyond Golden Dorado Fishing

We are heading to Corrientes Province, Argentina in December 2026 because it’s the epicenter of what many consider the best golden dorado fishing in the world. We’ve wanted to fish there for years, and now we’ll finally have the chance — and you can join us if you sign up soon.

But here’s the thing: the best fishing adventures are always enriched by understanding the natural landscape, culture, and experiences beyond the water. Even if we don’t always have time to explore everything on each trip, knowing the additional factors that make Corrientes special gives us more reasons to return and extend our footprint.

Fortunately, Corrientes offers plenty beyond exceptional fishing to keep anglers — and their travel companions — inspired. Here are some of the things the region is famous for that you might not know:

The Iberá Wetlands — A Wildlife Paradise

Naturalists and wildlife lovers from all over the world travel to Corrientes specifically to visit the Iberá Wetlands. It is the second-largest wetland in the world after the Pantanal, which stretches across Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, just to the north. Iberá is not only expansive, it’s protected, which means that the extensive ecotourism network can lead you to see caimans (as well as 60 other species of reptiles), capybaras, marsh deer, and over 350 bird species, many of which can only be seen here. In recent years even jaguars have been reintroduced.

Much of what makes Iberá so rich and fertile also fuels the phenomenal golden dorado fishing we’ll experience. And if you’re like us, you know that some of the best “fishing trips” — from tigerfish in Zambia to trout and salmon in Alaska — are made even better by their safari-like side adventures. At Don Joaquin River Lodge, we’ll get a taste of that, but if you want to extend your stay, Iberá offers endless opportunities to fill out a birding list or simply soak in one of the most unique ecosystems on earth.

Chamamé and Corrientes’ Musical Heritage

If you appreciate great music, you’ll also want to know that Corrientes is the birthplace of the soulful chamamé, Argentina’s folk music that in 2018 was placed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. This uniquely Corrientino sound fuses the accordion traditions of German immigrants, Spanish guitar melodies, and the rhythmic roots of the indigenous Guaraní people.

You will likely get a taste of Chamamé through osmosis while we’re there, and you can buy recordings while we’re in Buenos Aires, but if you really want to get the full experience, every year in January Corrientes hosts a National and Mercosur festival of the Chamame. They bring in artists not just from Corrientes, but also from neighboring provinces and other South American countries to preserve, promote and celebrate this important art form.

Colonial History and Architecture

Corrientes’ distinctive cultural patchwork is also evident in its walls and plazas. As one of Argentina’s oldest cities, Corrientes showcases centuries of architectural influence -- from Spanish colonial churches to Guaraní-inspired design details -- all blended into a style that retains its authenticity. Restoration efforts have carefully preserved the character of its old town, where cobbled streets and leafy plazas frame buildings with weathered facades and ornate stonework.

What makes it particularly striking is how seamlessly the city’s architecture interacts with the surrounding environment. With subtropical vegetation spilling into courtyards and climbing across balconies, Corrientes feels less like a preserved museum and more like a living, breathing space where history, culture, and nature converge.

Magnificent Local Culture

If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing a South American Carnival but find Rio de Janeiro’s version a bit too overwhelming, Corrientes offers the perfect alternative. Every February, the city hosts the second-largest Carnival in the world, blending dazzling spectacle with a distinct regional identity. For North Americans, it’s also an ideal excuse to trade snow and ice for warm nights filled with music, dancing, and color.

The celebration spans 10 nights, with parades featuring as many as 1,500 performers in elaborate costumes. Beyond the parades, Carnival in Corrientes is a full-province experience. It’s at once spiritual and spectacular, mixing Catholic devotion with folk influences to create a festival that is both moving and electrifying.

Discover Corrientes With Us

Corrientes isn’t just about chasing golden dorado. It’s where world-class fishing meets vibrant culture, unforgettable food, and wild natural beauty. Join us on a hosted dorado adventure and experience the best of the province, both on the water and beyond. We can’t wait to share this journey with you.