Resistencia
Resistencia is a city in Chaco, Argentina.
It is known as City of Sculptures, with more than 600 sculptures across the city. Bienal Internacional de Esculturas is the main attraction, in a week you can see how artists from all over the world make sculptures.
It is the biggest city in Chaco Province, a great point to arrive its touristical attractions like Parque Nacional Chaco, Isla del Cerrito and Bermejo River.
Understand
It is very difficult to understand people here, they speak too quickly.
Get in
By plane
There are regular flights to Resistencia airport from Buenos Aires Aeroparque airport. Flying into Corrientes airport is also an option. There are buses from Corrientes airport to Resistencia.
By train
There is a small network of regional services, linking Resistencia with its suburbs and nearby towns. There is one slightly longer route from Los Amores in the province of Santa Fe. All in all, the network is not particularly useful for a tourist.
- 🌍 Resistencia railway station (Estación Resistencia).
By car
Main roads are paved:
- RN11: it takes you to the South to Santa Fe, Rosario and Buenos Aires. To the Norte it goes to Formosa City and Asunción (Paraguay). In 2015 it is being changed into a motorroad through Resistencia, so traffic could be very slow. If you go to Buenos Aires it could be a better option go to Corrientes and then take RN12, it is safer and quicker.
- RN16: it takes you to Corrientes City to the East, and to the North-West goes to Presidencia Roque Sáenz Peña and Salta. It is a motorroad between Barranqueras and Puerto Tirol, very quick and safe. In 2015 motorroad it is being constructed up to Makallé (40 km) with little influence on traffic.
There are other minor unpaved roads that take you to touristic places Villa Paranacito and Isla del Cerrito.
By bus
A coach from Salta takes about 12 hours and costs about 80 pesos, however it is difficult to get one at sensible hours, ie you have to either leave stupidly early or arrive stupidly early, and the best choice is 6pm - 6am.
Being a central hub for the Chaco Province, the bus terminal in Resistencia has many connections per day with Buenos Aires (12 hours), Rosario (10 hours), Puerto Iguazú (12 hours), Salta (13 hours) and Asunción in Paraguay (6 hours). Lesser served routes (ie. once per day) include Córdoba, Posadas and Rosario. There are numerous local buses to the neighbouring town of Corrientes and the National Park Chaco. The bus terminal is located outside the town center: Taxi rides between downtown and the bus terminal cost around 120 Argentinean Pesos.
By boat
Resistencia is besides Barranqueras which is over Paraná River, although this river is used for fishing and for its beaches.
Negro River has some leisure boats.
See
- 🌍 Intercultural 2 De Febrero Park/Paseo Costanero, Avenida de los Inmigrantes 300. Domo del Centenario exhibit hall open from 09ː00-17ː00, park supposedly open 24 hours. A parkway where you can see some sculptures like of a lotus plant and T-rex or visit the embankment of the languid Rio Negro river. It's a little more exciting when there's a festival going on. Look for statues along the way on Avenida de Los Inmigrantes as well.
- 🌍 Plaza 25 de Mayo. This is the town plaza where you can take in the real energy of Resistencia (or not). The centerpiece is a man on horseback wearing a felt bicorne like Napoleon used to wear, but, not to worry, other statues here too. And along the northwest side you'll find the San Fernando cathedral and Chaco Province government building (easy ugly award nominee?). Might be best to avoid at night or when demonstrations are going on.
- 🌍 Museum of Man Chaqueño "Professor Ertivio Acosta", Juan B. Justo 280, ☏ +54 362 445 3005. Local history museum, where you can learn about the Chaco region and its indigenous inhabitants.
- 🌍 Museum of Natural Sciences Augusto Schulz. Little armadillo replicas on display and such items.
Do
- 🌍 Cecual (Alternative Cultural Center), Sta María de Oro 471, ☏ +54 362 445 3165. Folklore/culture space where you can explore different displays, listen to performances, and buy things.
Buy
- 🌍 Intervención Urbana Integral del Microcentro Peatonal Resistencia, Arturo Illia 98. Pedestrian shopping area with lots of little boutique shops and eateries. Also a sculpture venue, in case you have not tired of them.
Eat
- "Tres Caracoles" this is a really nice place for dinner, it has a delightful menu where you can find dishes from rabbit to "sweet batata" (local plate). By the way the waitress are as amazing as the food.
Sleep
Budget
- 🌍 Hostal Chá, Sta Fe 165, ☏ +54 9 362 488 0536. Unpretentious accommodation but in a fairly decent neighborhood. $26.
- Hotel Colon, Sta Maria de Oro 495, ☏ +54 9 362 4422861. Single $40.
Splurge
- 🌍 Amérian Hotel Casino Gala, Juan Domingo Perón 330, ☏ +54 362 445 2400. Casino resort that practically takes up a whole city block. Nice pool.