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The city of San Martin de los Andes is the main
tourist center of the Neuquén Province. Its origin dates
back to 1883, when a fort was established in Vega Maipú (Maipu
lowland). Today it is an active community of 18,000 people. The
city, situated between the eastern border of Lake Lácar and the
fertile Vega Maipu Valley, is picturesque in its alpine appearance
with buildings made abundantly of wood and wide, neatly-paved
streets.
Its the most significant locale near the Lanin
National Park and possesses an excellent tourism infrastructure.
Because of this, San Martin has become the base for touring the
region. The summer season extends until the month of April and
once again in June the tourists and skiers arrive to visit or ski
the slopes of the Chapelco Hill ski center.
The heart of the city is its Civic Center, located
around the Plaza San Martin. Here you will find the headquarters
of the Lanin National Park, the Municipality, the post office, and
a few banks. The most interesting places to visit in the city are
the First Settlers Municipal Museum and the Private Museum of
Natural Sciences.
Lake Lácar has a surface area of 50 sq. km
(31 sq. mi.), is 25 km (16 mi) in length, and has a depth of 58 km
(36.25 mi). It is surrounded by abundant native forests, that are
being commercially exploited.
Close to the city, it is worth visiting the Mirador
Bandurrias (Bandurrias Overlook), along the path towards Hua Hum
International Pass. It is located at the highest part of the hill
with the same name and from there you have a beautiful view of
most of the lake and the city.
From the road that goes to Junín de los Andes,
you can get to the Lolog Lakes, Curruhué Chico (Small
Curruhué), Curruhué Grande and Paimún. The Lahuen-Co
Hot Springs, also known as the Epulafquen Baths, are found 6 km
(3.75 mi) from Pesquero Port, which is on the coast of the
Epulafquen Lake.
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Location
About 1,607 km (1,004.3 mi) from Buenos Aires and 443 km
(276.8 mi) from Neuquén.
When to go
Open season year-round..
Attractions
It is the ideal location to go camping, strolling and trekking
in the mountains and forests. Rafting and canoeing in the
rivers, horseback riding, walking or mountain biking on
the trails, navigating the Lácar and Nonthué
Lakes. Tea and coffee tasting with homemade cake, red
deer and wild boar hunting. You can fish for salmon and
trout up to 11 kg (24 lbs).
How to get there
By plane: From Buenos Aires to Carlos
Campos de Chapelco Airport.
By bus: From Capital Federal to Neuquén, Zapala,
Junín de los Andes and San Martín de los Andes
by way of El Petroleo, La Unión del Sur, La Puntual, La
Estrella, Chevallier and TAN.
Activities
Sport fishing for salmon, trekking, rafting, mountain
climbing, photographic safaris and excursions in 4 x 4
vehicles.
Services
San Martin boasts a significant amount of hotels and a
variety of restaurants, with several recommended tourist
services. It offers a great infrastructure of accommodations
and services throughout the entire year, with more than
4,000 qualified plazas, distributed into hotels between
three and five stars. You can choose from hotels, hostels,
and cabanas, accompanied by excellent food and night life.
At the Kadugodi Spa Center, become reborn in the mountains
and lakes of the south, harmonize the body and soul, eat
good, healthy food, where there is no pollution, located
among real natural beauty.
Surroundings
Lanin National Park, Lanin Volcano. Las Bandurrias Overlook, Villa Quila
Quina, Chapelco Hill, Lake Lácar, Lake Lolog, Curruhue, Verde,
Epulafquen, Lahuén Co Hot Springs, Villa La Angostura
and
Junín de los Andes.
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