Ribera Norte... Opening times

Opening times of the Ribera Norte nature reserve

ON WHAT DAYS IS IT OPEN?

In principle the reserve is open every day of the year, including weekends, bank holidays, national holidays, etc.
EXCEPT on December 25th and January 1st (*).

HOWEVER, PLEASE BEAR IN MIND THE FOLLOWING:
Fairly frequently the reserve must remain closed due to meteorological conditions or high tides. Read on...

If it rains - or has been raining:
Most of the trail is made of soil, and is raised a little above the ground. Much work went into its construction and it requires constant upkeep. After rain the trail becomes muddy. Trampling would quickly erode it, degrading this asset of the reserve. This is why a muddy trail forces the wardens to close the reserve, normally for the day.
Please note that after a long bout of rain the trail may take up to 2 or 3 days to dry out, depending on humidity and winds.

If there is high tide or a wind storm from the Southeast:
The waters of the Río de la Plata frequently rise and cover parts of the reserve. Since it is an estuary it is subjected to tidal cycles, though the amplitude is not very marked. However, when a high tide combines with strong winds from the Southeast (known locally as a "sudestada") the whole place can end up under water. This also takes a day or two to dry out.

After large storms the trail often suffers badly. Some parts may end up covered by huge amounts of dead reeds and floating trash, making it impossible to walk along. Sometimes a large tree trunk is found lying across it. During the worst storms the wire fencing may be destroyed, many plants lose most of their leaves, and the place is truly in ruin. However, this is a normal natural cycle and nothing can really be done to change that (nor should it be!). The volunteer team is then called into action to clear the trail, but until that is done - usually 2 to 3 days but at times has been much longer - the reserve must be kept closed. As soon as the first part of the trail is cleared the gates are opened, but circulation is only allowed up to certain points.

So, RULE NUMBER ONE is to ALWAYS CALL THE RESERVE BEFORE YOU VISIT. It is a shame to see people arriving to the reserve with great excitement in anticipation of their long-planned visit, only to have to see them turn back!

So here is a reminder:

In Summer: from 9 AM to 7 PM
On weekends and holidays the reserve organizes a free guided tour, which starts from the Visitor's Centre at 5 PM.

In Winter: from 9 AM to 6 PM
On weekends and holidays the reserve organizes a free guided tour, which starts from the Visitor's Centre at 4 PM.

(*): Why does the reserve close on 25th December and 1st January?
Basically this is to give the fauna a "break" after a night exposed to intense disruption caused by fireworks displays and firecrackers set off all too near to the reserve.

This is why we ask neighbours to refrain from using fireworks, at any time of the year.

This seemingly trivial issue proved to have devastating consequences, as demonstrated quite clearly on 1st January 2000, when the compete colony of many species of herons took off, abandoning nests and chicks. In normal circumstances the birds leave the colony in April, but this time the noise exceeded their tolerance level, and the helpless chicks and unhatched eggs were abandoned "en masse".
Fortunately the herons did return the following spring, so the colony survived, and still is (or perhaps I should say "SHOULD BE") one more good reason for the San Isidro borough to be very proud of the reserve.