Discover Maraco: Nature and Culture in General Pico

The Reserva Natural Urbana “Benicio Delfín Pérez” is located in the city of General Pico, in the Maracó Department of La Pampa. It combines a large body of water with a rich variety of plant and bird life, giving the destination a tangible connection to nature. General Pico also has cultural attractions and a local events calendar, while the province of La Pampa offers further nature and culture to explore.

Natural Environment and Birdlife

The Reserva covers approximately 170 hectares. More than 60 percent of its area is covered by water, with La Arocena as its main water basin. Surveys of the area have recorded more than 100 plant species, over 50 percent of which are native and endemic. The birdlife is also diverse: more than 150 bird species can be found in the Reserva. Most are resident birds, while more than 20 percent are migratory. Nature enthusiasts can therefore take in both the diversity of the plant life and the distinction between resident and migratory birds.

Cultural Attractions in General Pico

The Centro Cultural Maracó is housed in the former building of “Industrias Maracó.” El Viejo Galpón also reflects this industrial past: it was established in the early 1990s in the former premises of “Industrias Maracó.” Peñas are held there, and it also hosts “Jam de El Viejo Galpón.” The Sala de Artes Escénicas is located in General Pico’s historic railway station. The city’s cultural attractions thus have a range of historical connections, from former industrial sites to a venue in the railway station.

Events and Getting Around

The Festival Pico Cumple has established itself as one of the most important events on the local calendar. A second edition of the trail-running and MTB event “El Reto” was planned for March 2025. Running, mountain biking, and an optional duathlon were planned, with the Reserva Natural Urbana “Benicio Delfín Pérez” as the proposed venue. If you would like to plan your trip around a festival or competition, check the latest event dates. General Pico can be reached via Provincial Routes No. 1, 4, 101, and 102.

More Nature and Culture in La Pampa

Protected areas offer further highlights in the province of La Pampa. The Reserva Provincial Parque Luro covers 7,600 hectares and is home to more than 160 bird species. The protected area is also home to Museo El Castillo, designated an Argentine National Historic Monument. A trekking loop in Parque Nacional Lihué Calel passes through mountain valleys and forests of caldén and jarilla trees. The ruins of an old estancia lie by Arroyo de las Sierras, and a cave in the Sierras Malas contains rock paintings. The Reserva Natural Pichi Mahuida protects ten kilometers of riverbank along the Río Colorado.

History and cuisine are also part of the region’s appeal. In Toay, Casa Museo Olga Orozco is designated a national historic monument. Its collection includes the writer’s personal library of 4,500 books and 500 magazines. Asado criollo, made with beef, sheep, or goat, is considered a typical dish of the Pampas plain. These examples provide a broader picture of the province; the Reserva and cultural attractions in General Pico are the local focus.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: General Pico, Pulen, Loventué, Hucal, Conhello, Rancul, Capital, Chapaleufú.

For the main travel overview: La Pampa.