Paraná (Argentina)
Paraná is a city in the Entre Rios province of Argentina. It seems a bit overshadowed by Santa Fe on the other side of the Paraná River, with not a terribly grandiose spread of big attractions.
Understand
Like other cities on the big rivers of northern Argentina, Paraná's economy is significantly tied to shipping, particularly in grain and agricultural commodities.
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Get in
The easiest, most common way to get in and out of Paraná is via its Terminal de ómnibus (bus terminal):
🌍 Terminal de ómnibus Paraná, Av. Francisco Ramírez 2350. 
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The bus station is split in two areas: The Northern courtyard is for buses within the Entre Ríos province, and the Southern one is for buses to other provinces.
You can also use the Paraná airport, although it has only one flight every day, connecting only to Buenos Aires:
🌍 Aeropuerto Justo José de Urquiza, Calle Salvador Caputo S/N.
Get around
See
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- 🌍 Urquiza Park. This would probably have to be Paraná's crown jewel, as everyone seems to gravitate here, with its costanera (waterfront pathway) and overlooks along the Paraná River. A good place for jogging or just taking in the sights of the big muddy, or river.
- 🌍 Paraná Cathedral (Parroquia Nuestra Senora del Rosario), Su Santidad Francisco 77. M-F 08:00-12:00, 17:00-20:00. This Catholic edifice has quite a presence on the city scene with its twin-towered colonial architecture and even peculiar aggregation of pigeons.
- 🌍 Plaza 1° de Mayo. Something like Paraná's town square, it features the Paraná Cathedral on one side and the Peatonal San Martin (see below) on the other.
- 🌍 Palacio de Gobierno de Entre Ríos (known colloquially as Casa Gris). Baroque/Renaissance government house from the 19th century.
Some minor museums:
- 🌍 Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes "Dr. Pedro E. Martínez", Buenos Aires 355, ☏ +54 343 420 7868. Showcases local art.
- 🌍 Museo Histórico Provincial "Martiniano Leguizamón", Buenos Aires 286, ☏ +54 343 420 7869. Focuses on the history of the Entre Rios region and the subfluvial tunnel connecting Paraná and Santa Fe, which is kind of interesting.
Do
- 🌍 Balneario Municipal, Av. Laurencena (in Urquizas Park, by the river). This beach affords sunbathers, swimmers, paddleboarders and the like a chance to recreate in what otherwise seems to be a rather desolate locality for outdoor attractions.
- 🌍 Miradores Bajada grande. Another riverside rest area, hardly what you would call a beach, more like a muddy embankment, but with pretty dynamite sunsets nonetheless.
- 🌍 Playas del Thompson, Calle Augusto Bravard. Largest beach in the city, with very good view of the Paraná skyline
- 🌍 Centro Cultural Vieja Usina, Gregoria Matorras de San Martín 825. Cultural center with varied activities in a historic building
Buy
- 🌍 Shopping La Paz, Venezuela 61. Paraná's big mall, located in a former food market, but could be part of the dying mall scene.
- 🌍 Peatonal San Martin, General José de San Martín 902. This pedestrian commercial zone extends from this point up to Plaza Alvear a few blocks north.
Also, if you like Carrefours, you're in good shape in this town.
Eat
- 🌍 Tia Maruca, General José de San Martín 200, ☏ +54 343 421 6658. Seems to be a good Argentinian version of a hole in the wall diner, with tasty and large portions.
Drink
Plenty of bars are available in Paraná. Craft breweries have got popular in the city, such as:
Places for which the main attractive is their location (i.e. for the view), but still offer good service:
Sleep
- 🌍 Howard Johnson by Wyndham Plaza Hotel Mayorazgo, Avenida Luis Etchevehere, Francisco de Miranda 331 Y, ☏ +54 343 420 6800. Stands apart from the perception you might have of the typical Howard Johnson in the US with the broken toilet seat and abandoned car in the parking lot, as this one has a pool/spa, restaurant, river views, and even a casino.