Josep M. Gracia · CC BY-SA 4.0Lagunas saladas del Chaco Central
Shallow lagoons whose water alternates between fresh and brackish, with salinised soils at the edges: an evaporation landscape in the heart of the Chaco.
What it is
In the Central Chaco, in the Yakaré Sur stream basin (Boquerón), there is a complex of shallow lagoons whose water alternates between fresh and brackish. Laguna Teniente Rojas Silva was designated a Ramsar site, and the area is recognised for the number of birds it concentrates.
The Chaco is a low-rainfall plain with very strong evaporation: as water evaporates, salts build up at the surface. That is how “peladares” appear, whitish and barren patches that, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, are one of the soil-management challenges in the region. The threats noted for these lagoons are salinisation and desertification.
How to visit
The lagoons are best seen in the dry season, especially for birdwatching. Check access and permits, since many lie within properties or reserves.
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Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 3 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.