Formosa: Historic Walking Tour, Museums and Waterfront

Formosa can be explored through different facets of the city: a historic walking tour through the center, museums, public squares and places by the water. The historic walking tour takes an estimated three hours on foot and covers ten small squares (plazoletas). It highlights their names and landmarks, as well as historical figures, sculptures, busts and murals. The tour brings together memories of the city and visual art. The time estimate can help you decide whether to include this tour as a separate activity during your stay.

Historic Walking Tour and Museums

The Iglesia Catedral “Nuestra Señora del Carmen” is also part of the city’s history: construction began in 1896. The Museo Histórico y Regional “Juan Pablo Duffard” has nine themed rooms. They cover the founding of Formosa, pioneer families, Indigenous cultures, expeditions and military events, as well as the political, social and cultural development of the area. The subjects thus range from the city’s founding to the region’s later development. The museum was declared the first National Historic Monument in the Province of Formosa.

The Museo a Cielo Abierto in Paseo Ferroviario offers a different perspective on the past: visitors can see old railway engines and railway facilities there. Together with the city museum, this site broadens the focus from the city’s history to railway history.

Squares and Riverside Spots

Plaza General San Martín is Formosa’s main square and covers four hectares. Its facilities include children’s playgrounds, a carousel, a skate park and an artificial lake. Parque Paraíso de los Niños also has an artificial lake and children’s playgrounds, along with bridges and a lakeside mill, a road-safety education track and distinctive tree cover. These facilities point to a specific difference between the two places: the square has a carousel and skate park, while the park also features the road-safety education track, as well as the bridges and lakeside mill.

Paseo del Río is located by the river in Formosa Capital. It has barbecue areas, tables and benches, children’s play areas and other recreational spaces. Another notable name associated with the waterfront is Avenida Costanera Vuelta Fermoza; residents also call it La Costanera. It is an iconic waterfront promenade in the capital of the Province of Formosa.

Culture and Surroundings

Near the Costanera, a colonial-style house offers a glimpse into the crafts of the Qom, Wichí and Pilagá Indigenous cultures living in Formosa. Visitors can see and buy, among other things, tapestries, rugs, bags, baskets, ponchos, earrings, bracelets and wooden sculptures. Alongside the museums, traditional crafts are another point of interest.

In the surrounding area, Laguna Oca is a few minutes from downtown Formosa. It is part of a biosphere reserve recognized by UNESCO in 2001. This offers a way to complement the city perspective with a place in the surrounding region, without treating the distinct geographic areas as one and the same.

The cuisine is also part of the wider regional experience: Formosa’s cuisine offers ways to discover culinary heritage and local traditions through food.

Discover more destinations: Tres Marias.

Go to the broader travel overview: Departamento Formosa.