Subsecretaría de Turismo de Neuquén

San Martín de los Andes

It is a typical mountain village located in the southwest of Neuquén Province, within the Lacar department. It is surrounded by a privileged and amazing place: Lanín National Park. It is part of the Patagonia of Lakes tourist area, and it lies 1,020 miles away from Buenos Aires, and 270 miles away from Neuquén Capital City. The “valley of the Gods”, called like this by the indigenous people that inhabited the place, is waiting for you to discover it.

San Martín de los Andes was founded on 4th February 1898, on lands that belonged to the Curruhuinca mapuche community. Today, with more than a hundred years old, it continues to preserve some aspects of a traditional mountain village. Its inhabitants have contributed to keep a balance between the urban development, specially its architecture, and the natural environment, by the use of materials characteristic of the area, like stone and wood, essential for the imagery of its fairytale scenery.

Only 12.5 miles away, it has an airport for international flights called Chapelco. There are also several entertainment places, like cinemas, casinos, discos and bars.

With a mountain spirit

Currently, this beautiful village on the Andes Mountain Range is a tourist centre with almost 25,000 inhabitants. Its economy depends almost exclusively on the tourist activity and it is the most important service lender town in Lanín National Park, the largest park in the province and the place where its intendancy lies. San Martín de los Andes is a world-class tourist centre to visit all year round: hills, rivers, streams, cascades, native forests and lakes offer tourists their noble nature to do different activities, take tours and practise sports. Hospitality and warmth of the mountain spirit can be perceived in all its services: hotels, cottages, inns, pubs, cafés and restaurants where visitors can enjoy a delicious dish made with venison, wild boar, trout, fine fruits, chocolate or handmade jam.

Places to visit

The city is the starting point that many tourists choose to take a long tour around the lakes area, since it is located on one of the ends of the Seven Lakes Route that joins it with Villa La Angostura, one of the most fascinating circuits to admire the local scenic beauty.

There are different tours around the city and its outskirts, which include a walk along the banks of Lacar Lake, or a visit to museums, historical buildings, art galleries, agricultural tourism sites, cafés, and cinemas, all options tourists can enjoy throughout the year. There are also different tourist circuits and rides that follow trails on hills, going by scenic overlooks, from which you can admire the magnificent Lacar Lake, amazing cascades and centenary forests.

Villa Quila Quina, Lolog Lake, Epulafquen thermal springs, Catritre beach, Centenary Reserve and Hua Hum, are all places you shouldn’t miss.

Throughout the year

During spring or summer the possibilities are more varied: horseback riding, trekking, mountain biking, hiking through nature interpretation trails, and lake excursions, among others.

In summer, the rivers and lakes of the area invite visitors to practise different water sports: canoeing, rafting, sailing, and sport fishing by all its methods (fly casting, trolling and spinning). Some rivers like Caleufú, Hermoso, Collón Curá, Meliquina, Aluminé or Quilquihue are the most visited ones. Besides, you can stop by to the beaches of Catritre, Quila Quina and Yuco Lakes, where you can spend the afternoons in a natural environment.

In winter, the main attraction is Chapelco Ski Centre, which in mapuche language means “waters from Chapel”. It has 120 hectares of skiing surface and 20 runs where it is possible to practise downhill, cross-country, and telemark skiing and snowboarding. It also offers different services and attractions for you to live a unique experience.

There is also the possibility to go big game hunting in ranches of the area, and go bird and deer watching.

Argentina