Corrientes (city)
Corrientes is the capital city of the province of same name, in Argentina. In 2011, it was home to almost 350,000 people.
Understand
Corrientes business hours are 09:00-12:00 in the morning, and 17:00-20:30 (winter) or 18:00-22:00 (summer). During the siesta break, the streets are empty and virtually all the business are closed.
Most banks only open in the morning, usually from 07:00 to 11:30.
Get in
By plane
Corrientes airport, officially Aeropuerto Internacional Doctor Fernando Piragine Niveyro (CNQ IATA), receives flights from Aerolíneas Argentinas and low-cost carrier Fly Bondi.
It lies close to the city, a little further down the road from the local university campus. Bus lines 11 and 109 go from the bus station to the city center to the 1 bus stop in front of the airport car entrance. From there, it's a 7 min open-air trek to the airport building itself. The bus ride from Plaza Torrent to the airport takes around 30min.
Facilities on the airport public area are a café, a souvenir shop and a city information booth. Note there is no money exchange office. This airport clearly isn't used to much action: there's only one small boarding room, with fewer seats available than a regular plane (so if the flight is full, you'll have to stand). For that reason, only the passengers for the next flight are allowed in. Outside the boarding room, there are virtually no chairs or benches apart from those of the cafe, so you're likely to wait to be let in standing as well.
- 2 Aeropuerto (km 7 of the Ruta Nacional 12).
By bus
Corrientes bus station is fairly pleasant, modern building. There are SUBE (the city transit card) top-up booths near the main entrance, and the city bus stop is a few meters away. This bus stop is deserved by many lines that go all the way to the port, and by lines 11 and 109 that call at downtown and then go to the airport. Note there is no money exchange office.
- 3 bus station, av. Maipú 2700.
Get around
City buses fares are paid only with SUBE cards - the very same in use in Buenos Aires and other cities. The cheapest fare, which covers most of the areas a tourist is likely to roam, costs 11 pesos (May 2018). Cards can be topped up in kiosks, at the bus station and on Terminales SUBE [dead link].
Information on the city bus routes network is available here.
See
- 1 Plaza 25 de Mayo (Square 25 of May). The city's main square. Close to the Paraná river and to the Port of Corrientes, it's in front of the town house.
Do
The Chamamé National Festival, celebrating a style of music and dance popular in Southern South America, takes place every January in the Anfiteatro Cocomarola.
- 1 Cultural Fridays at Casa Iberá (Viernes Cultural en Casa Iberá), Carlos Pellegrini 501. While the free guided tours of Casa Iberá (M-Sa 07:00-13:00 and 17:00-21:00) are best suited for school groups, the Cultural Fridays are a great way to witness (and sometimes taste) at bit of the region's culture. Follow their Facebook page for the latest schedule. Admittance is free, the free tickets are handed away on the days preceding the event, but if you're a far-flung visitor, they might be willing to accommodate you.
Buy
Eat
- 1 Chipá mboká stall, Costanera y Dom Bosco. A regionally delicacy, this type of chipá (manioc cheese bread) is roasted in a way that gives it a tube form. The vendor will take it out of the fire only when you buy it, so they are always served hot. Great on cold days. 25 pesos.
- 2 La Reina, Mendoza 847 and 7 other locations. Daily 06:30-12:30 & 16:30-20:30. A local's favorite, this bakery offers many sorts of chipa (manioc cheese bread) and facturas (Argentine pastries)