Ribera Norte... stuff to bring

What should you bring along on a visit to Ribera Norte?

Here are some suggestions to help you plan your visit:


THINGS TO BRING

SUN SCREEN: Many parts of the trail are well shaded, but if you spend some time in the sun you should be careful. Bring a good sunscreen and remember to apply it!

INSECT REPELLENT: During the warmer months of the year there may be mosquitos. So bring this, just in case.

WATER: One small bottle per person will make it more enjoyable - but bring more if you are going to be here many hours.

FOOD, CANDIES: No food is sold in the reserve. Especially if you are coming with small children it might be a good idea to have some candies or cereal bar at hand for when their attention span gives up. And how about a little bag to put the wrappings in? For a bigger meal there are many restaurants in the area with pleasant indoor & outdoor tables.

DRESS: Simply put: jeans. The trail is quite free of thorns and branches, but you never know... On windy days the coast may be a little chilli. So even if it's warm you may find need for a windjammer. If you are interested in seeing animals the logical thing to do is to wear colours that resemble the foliage: dull greens, pale browns, etc. One assumes this should increase your chances of confusing the enemy!

FOOTWEAR: The best is to use tennis shoes or trekking boots. There may be some mud on the trail, and there are some protruding roots here and there. Want to wear high heels? Well, not really recommended...

HAT/SOMBRERO: Sure!.

BINOCULARS: If you have this, it would be a perfect place to use it. It will bring in the distant fauna and help you identify birds. A spotting scope might be useful, but since the trail is narrow you may find it get in people's way, especially during an afternoon visit. (Morning hours have very few visitors)

MAGNIFYING GLASS: Many small insects boast wonderful colours, but you'll need a magnifying glass to see that. Same with flowers.

FIRST AID: The reserve has a minimal First Aid Kit. One suggestion is to bring something for insect bytes. However, in over 200 visits to Ribera Norte I cannot recall this ever being needed by anybody.

BIRD GUIDE, BUTTERFLY GUIDE, PLANT GUIDE: Sure! This is where you will be using these tools intensely! Some publications are available at a small stall in the reserve.

YOUR BIKE? Sure! You are not allowed to take it along the trail, but there is a safe place to store it just in the entrance. Take note that the Tren de la Costa has a bicycle lane in the area, making for a pleasant ride to the reserve.


THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT BRING

THE DOG? No, dogs and other pets are not allowed in the reserve. It would make the place unsafe for the wild animals. (If you do see stray dogs hiding in the thickets please report this to the warden.)

MY SPORTS GEAR? No physical sporting activities are allowed in the reserve. You should not run nor jog along the trail.

SHALL I TAKE A MAT TO LAY THE PICNIC ON OR TO LIE IN THE SUN? Within the reserve there are no convenient places where you could sit on the ground for a picnic or for sunbathing. Though there is a small elevated deck just opposite the lagoon, it is probably too small for a family of 4 to occupy, and would not be fair on other visitors that might also want to use it as a vantage point since it provides a good view of the far side of the lagoon.

BABY's PRAM: Though nothing is impossible, it is really difficult to get around the reserve with a pram - far more of a nuisance than the benefits it can provide. I have seen it being done, but not successfully. Best is to leave the pram in the car or within the gates and carry the child in one of those backpacks or harnesses.

WHEEL CHAIRS: Unfortunately the trail does not allow a wheelchair to get around easily. Though not impossible to do, many parts could be quite hazardous, since the trails is not always level, even and wide enough. The maintenance work on the trail only just succeeds in keeping it open for pedestrians. Future enhancements of the trail do envisage enabling it for wheelchairs.

WALKMAN / CDMAN / RADIO: Not something I would recommend you carry in here: After all, if you are here to experience nature, you might as well experience it to the full: listen to the frogs, birds, insects, etc. But if you must, then please do wear headphones or earphones, since it would not be very polite towards others who are here for a more natural experience.

FEEDING THE ANIMALS: This is not allowed. Every animal that you see wild in Ribera Norte has made it's home here because it has found suitable sources of food. They may eat snails, insects, plants, or whatever. It is not good for them to be given biscuits or any other kind of food.

SHOVEL: As in any protected area, you are not allowed to take away plants not animals. Also please do not cut any flowers: they are the producers of seeds that will give rise to the next generation. You should not collect anything without specific permission from the warden. Please note that the reserve does sell many native plants that are produced by the neighbouring nursery.

FISHING ROD? No, since fishing is not allowed from the reserve coast nor in the lagoons. Besides, the waters here are somewhat contaminated.

SWIMMING TRUNKS? No, at least not for swimming. In fact swimming is banned along the coast of the Rio de la Plata since the water is contaminated. You can use shorts on your walk around the trail, though the presence of mosquitoes and the odd branch do make long trousers more advisable.