I’ve mentioned the Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur in a previous post but it’s worth mentioning again as its history is both charming from an early 20^th Century perspective but also rather murky from a 1970’s point of view… whilst today, this gorgeous ecological reserve, so close to the city, truly has ‘buen aire’ and a sense of being far away from the bustle of Microcentro. The perfect location for a well-needed 14.9k walk this morning.

Back in the 1920’s and 30’s the Costanera Sur promenade was the place to be seen on a hot summer day. You could bathe in the river in your smart one-piece costume, have a spot of lunch in the many cafes and even dance the night away to the live bands along the river bank. This all started to fade in the late 50’s, and by the 70’s it had gone altogether, replaced by extensive dredging, pollution and massive ecological degeneration.

During the military dictatorship of the late 70’s the whole area was off limits (who knows what atrocities were committed here), cordoned off from the city for many years, which ironically allowed the site to regenerate itself. By the mid 90’s the area was saved and declared an ecological reserve – though even in recent years, mysterious arson fires have ripped through, some believe set by those with an eye on this prime piece of real estate so close to the city.

But today I can report it’s an absolutely gorgeous green reserve that takes you immediately away from the traffic and crowds and into a vast wetland wonderland along the tranquil shores of the Río de la Plata.