San Martín de Los Andes

V!VA User‘s Description

Set against a backdrop of the stunning Argentine lake district, San Martín de Los Andes, has a picturesque location on the easterly shores of Lake Lácar and is surrounded by woody hills. Like its westerly neighbor Villa La Angostura, San Martín was created with forethought. The buildings are built with the same rustic, warm charm that characterizes villages in Switzerland. The streets are clean and sidewalks taken care of. The grassy parks and sandy, public beaches are a welcoming place to enjoy the views with friends and maté.

The small village is located in the southeasterly corner of the Neuquén province, and boasts roads lined with trees and small, locally-owned shops offering hand-made treasures, sweaters and chocolate. The municipality often hosts outdoor concerts, activities and shows; check with the tourist office for more information.

Except for the summer months of mid-December, January and February and the Argentine winter holiday in mid-July, San Martín tends to not get overly swamped by tourists.

San Martín is an ideal spot for snow sports during the winter, and in the summer aside from wandering through the charming streets, decent hiking, boat trips and fishing are available. The village is centrally located for great access to the Parque Nacional Lanín (Lanín National Park) and Ruta de los Siete Lagos (Seven Lakes Route).