San Martín de Los Andes

On the shores of Lake Lacar, at 640 m. above sea level, San Martín de Los Andes is only 40 km. from the Chilean border.

In 1883 a fort was built in Vega del Maipú, near the present location, but the 4^th. of February of 1898 was moved to its present place. This date was registered as the official foundation day.

Until 1911 it was mainly a military post consolidating argentine sovereignty in the region.

For many years its main activity was forestry. It was not until 1937 that tourist activity began, with the creation of the Lanin National Park. The great impulse came in the seventies thanks to the promotion by the provincial government.

Its 20,000 inhabitants almost exclusively live off the tourist activity. Its lakes, rivers, waterfalls and mountains make this place a paradise for the traveler.

A few km. away, you will find Chapelco, an excellent ski center that since its opening in 1946, has not stopped improving facilities and services offered to the lovers of the sport.

Salmon fishing and big game are other attractions of the Andean city and its surroundings.

The points of interest are in addition to its typical mountain architecture, the Secretaría Municipal de Turismo, Museo de Los Pioneros (Pioneer Museum), San José church exhibiting a real size reproduction of the Holy Shroud, Lanín National Park Administration and monuments like Los Ciervos on the shore of Lake Lacar.

How to get there

The shortest way to get to San Martín de los Andes is: "Acceso Oeste" Highway, National Route Nº5 until Santa Rosa (620 Kms), NR Nº 35, NR Nº 152, Provincial Route Nº 143 until Chacharramendi (190 Kms), there it starts the “Desert Route” (PR Nº 20), NR Nº 151 until Cipolletti, NR Nº 22 to Neuquén, once there take the “Multitrocha” avenue (that circumvents the city), then take NR Nº 237, NR Nº 40, NR Nº 234 until San Martín de los Andes

Distances in kilometers from San Martín de Los Andes