Villa Elisa
Day Trips
Make the most of your day with our curated plans, packed with Villa Elisa's hidden gems and unique experiences!
Begin your day with a stroll through Plaza San Martín, admiring the colonial-style buildings and vibrant flower beds. Stop at a local café for a strong espresso and medialunas while watching locals greet each other. Feel the energy of the town as shopkeepers open their doors and street vendors set up their stalls.
Visit the Museo Regional to learn about the history of Villa Elisa and the Guaraní heritage. Wander down Avenida Libertad to browse artisan shops selling handcrafted textiles and pottery. Pause for lunch at a family‐run restaurant serving homemade pastas and fresh salads.
Head to the riverfront promenade to catch the golden hour light on the Uruguay River. Enjoy a glass of Torrontés wine at a terrace bar as street musicians play soft folk tunes. End the night at a cozy parrilla, savoring grilled sausages and sweet chimichurri under warm ambient lights.
Start at the Parque Termal municipal complex, slipping into the warm mineral pools as steam rises in the crisp morning air. Experiment with pools of varying temperatures, from gentle tepid baths to hotter hydrotherapy tubs. Relax your muscles while seated under cascading water features.
Recharge with a light lunch in the onsite café, sampling regional empanadas and a cooling citrus lemonade. Book a therapeutic massage or mud wrap treatment in the spa area to soothe any lingering tension. Wander the landscaped gardens between treatments, spotting colorful parakeets in the treetops.
Return to your hotel for a brief rest before heading back for a night soak under illuminated arches. Watch the stars reflected on the water’s surface as gentle jets massage your back. Finish with a warm herbal tea, enjoying the tranquil misty atmosphere.
Rent a bicycle from a local outfitter and set off along the scenic riverside trail. Pedal past quiet arroyos, marshy wetlands, and groves of eucalyptus trees swaying in the breeze. Pause at lookout points to photograph the river banking and distant hills.
Stop at a secluded beach cove for a picnic lunch of crusty bread, regional cheese, and cured meat. Wade into the shallow river for a refreshing dip before continuing your ride beneath shady willow trees. Visit small fishing docks to watch anglers haul in fresh catch while pelicans hover overhead.
Return your bike as the sun sets in a blaze of orange and pink. Walk to a nearby outdoor grill where locals gather for asado and live folklore performances. Savor a juicy steak paired with Malbec and join in a spontaneous tango circle under string lights.
Reserve a morning spa package that includes thermal jet baths and aromatherapy showers. Drift between mineral-rich pools designed for circulation and detoxification. Lounge on heated loungers reading a book or simply enjoying the gentle mist.
Indulge in a café lunch of quinoa salad and freshly squeezed juices. Attend a yoga or meditation class held on a shaded deck by the water. Afterwards, experience a guided salt scrub ritual to exfoliate and rejuvenate your skin.
Re-enter the pools for an evening hydrothermal circuit beneath glowing lanterns. Listen to live acoustic guitar as you float in the warm water. Conclude with a calming infusion of chamomile tea in the relaxation lounge, breathing in the scent of native herbs.
Set out early with a local naturalist on a guided hike through the Reserva Natural Municipal. Spot capuchin monkeys swinging overhead and rare marsh birds stalking along the water’s edge. Learn about the conservation efforts to protect native flora and fauna.
Enjoy a packed picnic of fresh fruit, cheese, and crusty bread in a clearing beside a tranquil lagoon. Try your hand at birdwatching through binoculars, logging species on the reserve’s checklist. Hike to a lookout tower to survey the expanse of wetlands and reed beds.
Return to town for a casual dinner at a vine-covered patio restaurant. Sample river fish specialties like boga or surubí, paired with a light sparkling rosé. Finish with dulce de leche ice cream as local fireflies dance around the tables.
Head to the sandy beach at Balneario Municipal for a relaxing morning by the water. Rent a lounge chair and umbrella, then cool off with a swim in the clear Uruguay River. Collect smooth stones along the shore and feel the gentle lapping waves.
Grab a snack of choripán from a riverside vendor and enjoy it with a cold beer. Try stand‐up paddleboarding along the gentle current, gliding past riverside homes and grazing cattle. Take an afternoon siesta in a hammock under the shade of palm trees.
Watch the sun dip below the horizon in a riot of fiery colors. Join a beachside bonfire organized by locals, complete with acoustic sing‐alongs. Toast marshmallows and sip mate around the crackling flames before returning to your lodge.
Drive 30 minutes southeast to the tranquil village of Pueblo Cazes. Wander its charming streets lined with pastel‐colored houses and blooming bougainvillea. Stop for breakfast at a family bakery famous for its freshly baked tortas fritas.
Visit the historic chapel of San Isidro Labrador and admire its simple architecture and serene atmosphere. Enjoy a riverside lunch at a rustic estancia, trying slow‐cooked beef stews and garden salads. Explore nearby fields on foot or by horseback, taking in wide open skies and grazing livestock.
Return to Villa Elisa and rest at your boutique hotel. Later, head to a wine bar to sample boutique Torrontés and Malbec by the glass. Pair your tasting with small plates of provolone al horno and smoked chorizo.
Start with a breakfast cooking class led by a local chef in a historic kitchen. Learn to roll empanadas, knead dough for pastries, and brew authentic yerba mate. Savor your creations alongside homemade jams and local honey.
Tour a nearby citrus orchard to pick oranges and tangerines in season. Taste freshly pressed juices and learn about sustainable farming techniques. Return to town for lunch at a farm‐to‐table restaurant overlooking groves of orange trees.
Sign up for a regional wine and cheese pairing workshop, sampling selections from Entre Ríos wineries. Discover the subtle floral notes of white varietals and the rich body of red blends. Finish with artisanal dulce de leche chocolates as you chat with fellow travelers.
Spend the morning at Museo Manuel Belgrano, exploring exhibits on local crafts, archaeology, and traditional Guaraní culture. Watch demonstrations of wood carving and handwoven textiles by resident artisans. Purchase a unique souvenir directly from the artist’s workshop.
Attend a storytelling session in the museum’s courtyard, where elders share folk tales about the region’s founding myths. Enjoy a light lunch of traditional tortilla de rescoldo and herbal teas in the museum café. Participate in a hands‐on pottery workshop, shaping clay on a vintage wheel.
Return for a special evening event featuring live folklore dance performances. Dress in traditional garb to join select dance circles and learn basic steps. Cap off the night with a street‐food festival offering skewered meats, sweet churros, and local craft beers.
Relax at your accommodation or take a gentle morning walk through quiet neighborhoods. Watch children play soccer in dusty lots and neighbors exchange greetings over garden gates. Drop by a bakery for freshly baked leche y leche pastries.
Board a small catamaran for a leisurely cruise down the Uruguay River. Sip on a selection of artisanal cocktails and local juices as the boat glides past tranquil islets. Enjoy a light grazing platter of regional cheeses, olives, and smoked fish on deck.
Witness the sun melting into the river in hues of crimson and violet as live guitarists serenade passengers. Feel the cool evening breeze and smell the sweet scent of riverside bamboo. Disembark at dusk, carrying the memory of an unforgettable, serene voyage.