Mar Chiquita, Salt lake and national park in Córdoba Province, Argentina
Mar Chiquita is a salt lake and national park in Córdoba and Santiago del Estero provinces in central Argentina. The surface shifts between roughly 2,000 and 6,000 square kilometers (770 and 2,300 square miles), depending on rainfall and the inflow from the Dulce, Primero, and Segundo rivers.
The lake served for a long time as fishing ground and destination for spa visitors seeking the saline waters. The Gran Hotel Viena opened in the 1940s and drew guests until dropping water levels and economic shifts ended its operation.
The name means 'little sea'; until the mid-19th century it was called Laguna de los Porongos, after a gourd (Lagenaria vulgaris) common in the region. The surrounding wetlands and lake became Ansenuza National Park in June 2022, protecting over 19,000 km2 of lagoons, marshes and forests.
Access follows unpaved roads that can become difficult in wet weather. Water and sun protection are necessary for outings, as shade around the shore zones is scarce.
The Gran Hotel Viena, a lakefront establishment open from 1945 to 1980, stands abandoned near Miramar and has drawn mystery-seekers ever since. Its story runs alongside the lake's own shrinking volume, as evaporation and a rising bottom slowly push Mar Chiquita toward becoming a salt flat.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,532 contributors worldwide.
