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MENDOZA: THE CITY
Mendoza city main features lie on its wide clean sidewalks view, its citizens hospitality, its leafy
trees, its squares and parades, its low-buildings, and its quiet road traffic. All these conditions lead you to feel far from a big city, due to the lack of crowds, noise and pollution within a big city lung.
The capital city (110.447 inhabitants, 750 metres above sea level and 54 km2) is the commercial and administrative center of Mendoza, which offers a wide range of cultural events through its museums, universities, churches, art galleries, theatres, congresses and conventions.
The city, founded on March 2, 1561 by Pedro del Castillo, makes up the area called Great Mendoza (982.449 inhabitants) together with Las Heras, Guaymallén, and Godoy Cruz neighbor districts
MENDOZA CITY: WHAT´S TO SEE
MENDOZA: THE PROVINCE
Its vast calm and varied lands, the purifying contrast among its green oasis, the penetratinv strength of its deep rivers, the sounds of silence on its plains, and the pleasure caused by an ever-seeing horizon cuut by the imposing highest mountains in America make Mendoza´s visitor an insatiable conqueror.
Millions of years ago, most of this province lay under the sea water. However, when the Spanish arrived in the middle of the sixteenth century, these lands, exhibiting mild continental half-dry climate conditions were inhabited by three native groups: Incas, Puelces and Huarpes, the lastest represented the greatest in number.
Nowadays, Mendoza (148.827 km2 and 1.474.961 inhabitants), the land that sheltered San Martin during the heroic deeds to free Argentina, Chile and Perú at the bebinning of the nineteenth century, is worldwide known for its economic activities, such as agriculture, mining, tourism, industry, and cattle raising, among others.
Its quiet cities and towns embellished by the drains carrying water from the mountains, its citizens hospitality and the beauty of a unique landscape that allows you to see far, beyond will raise your wish to come back to Mendoza.
MENDOZA: THE HISTORICAL AREA
This historical area develops around Pedro del Castillo square (Plaza Pedro del Castillo), where the first stone of the city was set, place which was built down by the earthquake that hit the area in 1861.
In front of this square, in the Foundation Area Museum (Museo del Area Fundacional), on which there used to be the old Council building, you will find archeological excavations, the sculpture modules path and other components of Mendoza´s History, escorted by professional guides.
On the square corner, you will find the San Francisco Ruins (Ruinas de San Francisco), a church build in the seventeenth century that belonged to the Jesuits order until 1767, and from then on to the Franciscan one.
It was in this church where the Flag of the Andesw Army was first blessed and sworn.
MENDOZA: THE CIVIC CENTER
The wooded sides on Pedro Molina Avenue gather the Civic Park (Parque Cívico), Emilio Civit Convention and Exhibition Center (Centro de Congresos y Exposiciones Governador Emilio Civit), where you may visit the Wine Museum (Enoteca Museo del Vino), the Customs Office (Aduana), the Judiciary ()Poder Judicial) anbd the Governor´s House (Casa de Gobierno de Mendoza) on its ground floor, the Flag Room exhibits the emblem San Martín´s army bore at the expedition to free Chile.
Nearby, you may visit the Municipal Palace (Palacio Municipal), whose terrace, at 30 meters high, offer you the possibility to view the surrounding area through a 50 km distance viewfinder.
MENDOZA: SHOPPING TOUR
Mendoza is the ideal city to match walds and shops: wide sidewalks, intense commercial activity in an extensive number of shops concentrated in an area, galleries and excellent customer service make it so.
Thus, you may walk along Sarmiento pedestrian way, San Martín, Las Heras and Godoy Cruz avenues or the adjoining streets to meet you needs, from regional goods to fashinable ones. If you are interested in the regional products do not forget to visit the Central Market (Mercado Central).
Besides, have a rest and benefit from our sidewalk bars and restaurants and get into San Martin, Passageway (Pasaje San Martín) to delight yourself by looking at its roof.
Some minutes away from the center of the city you reach the most important shopping malls: Mendoza P laza Shopping and Palmares Open Mall, which offer an extensive range of goods, bars and restaurants in a fancy and safe scenery. Both malls aoffer the lastest released movies and the highest technology.
MENDOZA: THE SAN MARTIN PARK
Going to the west on Emilio Civit avenue, one of the most beautiful avenues on the city, you reach the imposing early-twentieth century French gates, that welcome tou to the 419 hectares Jose Francisco de San Martín Park. Designed by Carlos Thays in 1897, this city lung has more than 50.000 trees from 700 different species, a big lake and Regattas Club on its shore, water fountains, and a great rose garden with at least 500 types for visitor to deligh in. Besides, on the so-called La Olla depression lies the Islas Malvinas Stadium, one of the Stadiums where the 1978 World Cup was played. At the end of this park, you may visit the Zoo, with more than 700 autochthonous and exotic species, this Zoo is well-known for the high quality environments where the anomals are kept. At the top of the hill Cerro de la Gloria, a natural viewpoint of the area and the city, the monument to the Andes Army was build by Juan Ferrari, and Uruguayan artist. From that point, at night you can look at the city as drawn by the roads lights. Behind the hill, you will find the Frank Romero Day Greek Theatre, big enough for 21.686 people, where our traditional grape harvest party is held.
MENDOZA BY NIGHT
Mendoza offers an extensive diining opportunity including typical food from this region and national cuisine, supplemented by an excellent customer service, which leads you to feel at home, it you feel comfortable there. You may also choose Italian, Spanish or Arabian food , among others.
The bars, pubs, restaurants and discos are located either in the center of the city (Aristides street or Sarmiento street) or in Chacras de Coria, the best place to enjoy night life before being delighted by dawn.
If you feel like gambling, Mendoza city offers you two options in Casinos: Regency, on Espejo and 25 de Mayo, and Provincial, on San Martin avenue and Irigoyen Street corner. Also, have a look at theatre boards to know about plays and shows in the city.
A STREET TO MEET IN MENDOZA
All week long, when crossing the obsolete rails on Belgrano Avenue, you reach a place to relax and clear your mind from daily activities: Aristides Villanueva Street.
When walking up and down this road, you will find lots of pubs and restaurants, which place their tables on the sidewalk to let you enjoy the beautiful city nights.
When the night starts and the Spring weather make you feel like continuing your day, Aristides Villanueva with its lights is the meeting point within the city. Here, you may visit restaurants and bars with pleasant atmosphere.
EXCURSIONS FROM MENDOZA CITY
HIGH LAND: THE ANDES
In Mendoza, you are constantly surprised by its great landscapes, including the road to the high lands: The Andes.
Along the highway, you will cross Cacheuta thermal water center of international fame, at 1200 meters above sea level, and Potrerillos to reach to Uspallata. In the so called town, which used to be a military town , you can visit the vaults (peculiar structures with dome-like roof from the eighteenth century) This valley served as natural stage for the movie: Siete Años en el Tibet (Seven Years on Tibet)
Further up, you will cross the Colonial bridge (Puente Colonial), over Picheuta river, to delight at Tambillos with the Incas Ruins. When reaching Punta de V acas as an introduction to what you will see, have a look at the Tupungato Volcano (6800 meters high).
Along the highway to the Andes mountain range (Cordillera de los Andes), you will reach Penitentes ski center. Ten kilometers further, you will be able to admire the Bridge of Inca (Puente del Inca), an ochre calcareous structure over Las Cuevas river, with thermal water springs. The resort commercially in charge of these springs was built down by an avalanche in 1965.
On your way to the mountains range, you arrie at the Argentina Customs Office (Aduana Argentina) and the road to Aconcagua Park (Parque Provincial Aconcagua), where you should stop and enjoy the view of the Aconcagua Mount (6959 meters high).
Should you continue driving on the highway, before crossing the International Tunnel (Túnel Internacional). To get into Chilean territory, you will reach Las Cuevas, the furthest Argentine town at 3151 meters above sea level.
THE ACONCAGUA MOUNT: ACONCAGUA PROVINCIAL PARK
Once of the many argentina wonders is the Mount Aconcagua (6959 mts), protected by the not less impressing Aconcagua Park. Travelling by the hearth of the mountains greatness means understanding how trivial the man is in this world.
The Horcones Lake (Laguna de los Horcones) composed by 75.000 hectares, is the door to the natural reserve where the "Stone Sentinel" is held. Because of the aggressive weather conditions in the mountains, the begetation and animals are scarce and summer is the best season to visit this wonderful place.
POTRERILLOS
Close to the capital city, Potrerillos will invite you to practive activities so different as relax and adventure. Allocation includes campingroudns, cottages and hotels. Here, adventure activities are available all year long: rafting, horse riding, trekking, mountain bike, and so on.
Nearby, you may visit El Salto and Las Vegas Villages, The Potrerillos Dam (Dique Potrerillos) enlarges the options to enjoy even more the place. Here you may take the road to Vallecitos Ski Center.
VILLAVICENCIO
Encourage yourself to spend half a day to go along a 57-kilometre-way that takes you to the magic Villavicencio Area, named after the Captain who discovered it about 300 years ago. Within a breathtaking frame with frondose vegetation you may view a beautiful hotel opened in 1940 but not in activity nowadays and its paths joining gardens and resting stops, all of which will lead you to go back in time.
Some kilometers away, you will reach the modern mineral water facilities, where therapeutic and healing water from the heart of the Andes is served.
After Villavicencio Area, you may go along the former road to Uspallata, a breathtaking 365-turning road called Snail Road (Camino del Caracol), from which you may view the Tunduqueral hill (Cerro Tunduqueral) exhibiting 1000 year old petroglyphes.
On your way from the hotel to Uspallata, make a stop at El Balcón (The Balcony)
ny attractions such as Pierre Auger Cosmic, the Park of Yesterday (el Parque de Ayer), Malargüe Regional Museum, which has pieces of great archeological and paleontological importance, and the Thesaurus Conventions and Exhibitions Center.
Nearby, you may visit provincial reserves such as: Pincheira Castles (Castillos de Pincheira) to delight with the effects of erosion, the unforgettache Wiches´ Cave (Caverna de las Brujas) to see stalactites and stalagmites of great size, La Payunia, to view the desert half-moon landscape formed by volcanoes, and the Llancanelo Lagoon, to enjoy the presence of birds. All of these attractions are subject to weather conditions.
On your way to Las Leñas, the most important ski center in South America, encourage yourself to stop at the lake called Laguna de la Ñiña Encantada, Los Molles thermal water spring facilities, and the Pozo de las Animas, fresh and pure water holes.
Further on a difficult but not impossible road, getting into the mountain range, you will reach Valle Hermoso, where lifetime is not enough to admire its beauty.
SAN RAFAEL AND THE ATUEL CANYON
SAN RAFAEL
In San Rafael (173.183 inhabitants), the wonderful natural landscapes live in harmony with the ones build by men. You may take Mariano Moreno Library and Bellas Argtes Museum, the Immigrants Square (Plaza del Inmigrante) and San Rafael Archangel Cathedral. To end up your tour, we suggest you to rest at Mariano Moreno Park, an island on the Diamante river whre you may visit a small zoo and the Natural History Municipal Museum.
Nightlife includes pubs, discos or gambling at the local casino.
The Atuel Canyon Circuit is one of the most important in the area. Alongside the road, from the city to Valle Grande dam, you will find hotels, cottages, campgrounds and mini markets as well as the opportunity to practice adventure tourism (such as rafting, horse riding and paragliding).
Heading north the Atuel Canyon stands (Cañón del Atuel), an imposing multicolored eroded rock structure on which different figures are represented, such as The Wax Museum, Rivadavias´s Chair, The elderly people (Los Viejos), The suspension gardens. On your way there, you will cross Los Nihuiles hydroelectric facilities.
This circuit ends up when reaching El Nihuil Village and dam, where water sports, fishing and adventuers tourism are practiced. Allocation is also available.
You can enjoy the Rio Diamante Circuit, visiting Agua del Toro, Los REyunos, El Tigre and Galileo Vitale dams, and the village called 25 de Mayo.
On the way to Malargüe, along route 144, you should stop at Los Terneros slope, to enjoy the view. Further on your way you will find the Diamond Salt Pits (Salinas del Diamante) and the town called El Sosneado
MALARGÜE AND LAS LEÑAS
MALARGÜE
Route 40 loses into an oasis that welcomes you to Malargüe, and where the sun hides the mountain range, always deeps a close watch on you.
The city, offers many attractions such as Pierre Auger Cosmic, the Park of Yesterday (el Parque de Ayer), Malargüe Regional Museum, which has pieces of great archeological and paleontological importance, and the Thesaurus Conventions and Exhibitions Center.
Nearby, you may visit provincial reserves such as: Pincheira Castles (Castillos de Pincheira) to delight with the effects of erosion, the unforgettache Wiches´ Cave (Caverna de las Brujas) to see stalactites and stalagmites of great size, La Payunia, to view the desert half-moon landscape formed by volcanoes, and the Llancanelo Lagoon, to enjoy the presence of birds. All of these attractions are subject to weather conditions.
On your way to Las Leñas, the most important ski center in South America, encourage yourself to stop at the lake called Laguna de la Ñiña Encantada, Los Molles thermal water spring facilities, and the Pozo de las Animas, fresh and pure water holes.
