Travel Ruta del Mate

Family Travel Blog

  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Find all the information you need to plan your trip in these destinations. We're translating everything! Patience!

        • Argentina
          • Buenos Aires City
          • Buenos Aires Province
          • Central Andes Region
          • Cordoba Province (soon)
          • Northeast Litoral
          • Northwest Argentina
          • Patagonia Argentina
          • Argentina
        • Spain
          • Andalusia
          • Aragon (soon)
          • Asturias (soon)
          • Basque Country (soon)
          • Cantabria (soon)
          • Castile and Leon (soon)
          • Castilla La Mancha (soon)
          • Catalonia (soon)
          • Galicia (soon)
          • Madrid (soon)
          • Valencian Community
          • Spain
        • Europe
          • Andorra (soon)
          • Austria (soon)
          • Belgium (soon)
          • Bulgaria (soon)
          • Croatia
          • Czech Republic (soon)
          • Denmark (soon)
          • Estonia (soon)
          • Finland (soon)
          • France (soon)
          • Germany (soon)
          • Greece (soon)
          • Hungary (soon)
          • Italy
          • Ireland (soon)
          • Latvia (soon)
          • Lithuania (soon)
          • Luxembourg (soon)
          • Monaco (soon)
          • Netherlands (soon)
          • North Macedonia (soon)
          • Poland (soon)
          • Portugal (soon)
          • Serbia (soon)
          • Slovakia (soon)
          • Slovenia (soon)
          • Switzerland
          • Russia (soon)
          • Turkey
          • United Kingdom (soon)
          • Vatican City (soon)
          • Europe
        • Asia
          • Afghanistan (soon)
          • Armenia (soon)
          • Cambodia
          • China (soon)
          • Georgia (soon)
          • Hong Kong (soon)
          • India (soon)
          • Iran (soon)
          • Kazakhstan (soon)
          • Kyrgyzstan (soon)
          • Laos (soon)
          • Malaysia (soon)
          • Myanmar (soon)
          • Mongolia (soon)
          • Nepal (soon)
          • Philippines (soon)
          • Russia (soon)
          • Sri Lanka (soon)
          • Tajikistan (soon)
          • Thailand (soon)
          • Turkey
          • Turkmenistan (soon)
          • Uzbekistan (soon)
          • Vietnam (soon)
          • Asia
        • Africa
          • Kenya (soon)
          • Morocco (soon)
          • Tanzania (soon)
          • Africa
        • America
          • Argentina
          • Bolivia (soon)
          • Chile (soon)
          • Dominican Republic (soon)
          • Peru (soon)
          • United States of America (soon)
          • Uruguay (soon)
          • America
  • Routes
    • NEED TRAVEL INSPIRATION? TAKE A LOOK AT THESE SECTIONS OF OUR BLOG

    • Roadtrip
    • Route 40 Argentina
    • Interrail Eurail (soon)
    • Our RTW trip #matetrip
    • Extraordinary Destinations
    • Trans-Siberian and Trans-Mongolian (soon)
    • Curiosities and others (soon)
    • Hiking
    • Beer places (soon)
    • Beach Destinations
    • The Beatles in the World (soon)
    • World Heritage Site
    • Best Travel Insurance 2022
    • Travel deals and discounts
    • Traveling with kids and the family
  • About Us
    • Hello! Welcome to our destinations and travel blog!

    • About us
    • Join “La Materita”, our newsletter
    • Work with us
    • Contact
  • Spanish

8 Things to Do in San Martín de Los Andes

29 August 2022 - Flor Leave a Comment Filed Under: America, Argentina, Patagonia Argentina

Surrounded by places of great beauty, such as lakes, volcanoes, high snow-capped mountains and a couple of mythical routes passing by, we show you things to do in San Martin de los Andes.

The city of San Martín de los Andes is well known for being the starting point of the 7 Lakes Route, a journey along Route 40 that links this city with Villa La Angostura through (obviously) 7 lakes and dreamlike landscapes.

What do you need to know about San Martín de los Andes before traveling?

  • Any time of the year is ideal to travel to San Martín de los Andes. In summer (December to February), you can enjoy the lake and many outdoor activities. In addition, it is the dry season. And in winter, snow and mountains. In the rest of the months, the landscapes are still as beautiful and the best thing is that there are less people walking around, while the prices of everything is cheaper.
  • The mythical Route 40 passes through San Martín de los Andes, so much sought after by many travelers (including us) to travel from end to end.
  • It is the gateway to Lanín National Park, a spectacular volcano, although the best way to visit it is from Junín de los Andes. Another thing we have in our #matelistviajero.
  • Lake Lácar, on the shores of which San Martín de los Andes is located, is one of the Argentine lakes whose waters flow into the Pacific Ocean. For this reason, for a long time, this area was claimed by Chile. Two criteria have been used to make the territorial boundary division between Argentina and the neighboring country, that of waters and the high peaks. In this case, the high peaks took precedence.
  • Many of the houses will look very similar because there is a municipal ordinance that regulates the architecture of the city, especially in terms of facade, height and in some cases, construction material (stone or wood).
Things to do in San Martín de los Andes IMG_6203

📜 TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • Things to do in San Martín de los Andes and surroundings
  • 1) Strolling around downtown San Martín de los Andes
  • 2) Walking along the shore of Lake Lácar.
  • 3) Trekking or ascent to Bandurrias Viewpoint
  • 4) Trekking or ascent to Arrayanes viewpoint.
  • 5) Enjoying some of the beaches of Lake Lácar.
  • 6) Things to do in San Martín de los Andes in winter, skiing in Cerro Chapelco
    • San Martin de los Andes Ski Pass
  • 7) Do the 7 Lakes Trail
  • 8) Excursions to do in the surroundings of San Martín de los Andes
  • Where to stay in San Martín de los Andes?
  • How to get to San Martín de los Andes?

Things to do in San Martín de los Andes and surroundings

Take a look at these excursions that we recommend you to do from San Martín de los Andes.

1) Strolling around downtown San Martín de los Andes

From the lake, the city grows along three of the most important avenues: Gral Villegas, San Martín and Gral Roca. They are home to most of the businesses that delight tourists who visit the city, such as restaurants, bars, breweries, chocolate shops, souvenir and clothing stores. Although there are also squares to enjoy the outdoors and other representative buildings of the city.

📷 Check here the Free Tour in San Martín de los Andes and reserve your place.

One of the things to do in San Martín de los Andes is to visit the parish church of San José, the patron saint of the city and of carpenters and woodworkers. This is how you will find that the entire interior of the chapel is covered with wood, from the walls to the ceiling, called barrel vault because of its shape. It is relatively new and young, very young, of course, it is our age, it is from 1979/1980. The bell tower is somewhat later.

Things to do in San Martín de los Andes IMG_6183
Things to do in San Martín de los Andes IMG_6181

If you continue walking towards the lake side, you will find San Martin square which, following the line of most of the Argentinean squares, has in the center a monument to whom it honors. In this case, Don José de San Martín riding his white horse.

Things to do in San Martín de los Andes IMG_6185

Just across the street is another park, which houses the Lanín National Park Visitor Center and Museum. There you can find information about the park and its visit, as well as information about its creation, the history of the first settlers in the area, and the flora and fauna that can be found in the park.

At the back of this building, there is a small Artisans Fair where you can buy souvenirs and gifts.

Things to do in San Martín de los Andes IMG_6187

San Martín de los Andes has a very special museum, La Pastera Museum, dedicated to Che Guevara. In this place Che spent the night during one of his trips and from then on this place began to collect photographs and objects of this character to pay homage to him.

2) Walking along the shore of Lake Lácar.

Lake Lácar is of glacial origin but even so, in spite of the coldness of the water, you can enjoy some of its fine pebble beaches. In the summer some brave person is sure to fall. At the time we traveled (early September) it is an ideal place to take a short walk or drink mates.

When we arrived at the lake, we were greeted by the family of Deer, a monument located at one end of the beach. The evening sun left beautiful colors in the landscape and in our memories.

Things to do in San Martín de los Andes IMG_6193
Things to do in San Martín de los Andes IMG_6200

3) Trekking or ascent to Bandurrias Viewpoint

Undoubtedly, one of the activities to do in San Martin de los Andes is this hike or climb to the Bandurrias viewpoint. In it you can see how Lake Lácar extends to the west, until it disappears near the border with Chile. There are some places during the ascent from where you can observe the city.

What most people do is trek or hike up to the Mirador Bandurrias, but we, for “benjiobvias” reasons, went up by car very early in the morning. The road is gravel and the last stretch is not in very good condition. There are parts that are one-handed, which is complicated if there is another car in front of you. However, it is perfectly possible to do so.

📷 Book here the trekking to the Bandurrias viewpoint with guide. A five-kilometer hike through forests to reach the imposing viewpoint over the lake.

Things to do in San Martín de los Andes IMG_6225

This viewpoint is located in an area belonging to the Curruhuinca Community and, before entering the hamlet, there is an access barrier where an entrance fee is charged. The hike is easy and well marked. The views are a dream. There is no security whatsoever, so precautions must be taken if you climb any rocks.

Things to do in San Martín de los Andes IMG_6219

If you walked to the Bandurrias viewpoint, you can continue a few more kilometers to the Islita viewpoint through the forest. The trail is quiet. It is also accessible by car.

4) Trekking or ascent to Arrayanes viewpoint.

The hike up to this viewpoint is easier than the one to Bandurrias, although it is more difficult because it is on a gravel road, so you will always pass a car on the side that will kick up a bit of dust. That was our case, to go by car and to go up the land. 😉

This viewpoint is not located in any private area and there is no charge for climbing. In fact it is a secondary route that leaves you on the other side of route 40 to continue along the 7 lakes route. In order not to do so many stretches of gravel, we went to the viewpoint and retraced our steps to take the 40 in the city.

From the Arrayanes viewpoint you could see the whole city, the hill in front, which is where the Bandurrias viewpoint is, and the lake, which you can see how it curves and extends to the west. Its views make it one of the essential viewpoints to see in San Martín de los Andes.

Things to do in San Martín de los Andes IMG_6230
Things to do in San Martín de los Andes IMG_6234

5) Enjoying some of the beaches of Lake Lácar.

The City of San Martín de los Andes has a beautiful beach to enjoy. But when summer arrives and the days are nice and warm, both tourists and locals go to this pair of beaches on Lake Lácar:

  • Catritre Beach, very close to Route 40, where there is also a campground and picnic areas.
  • Quila Quina Beach, which can be reached either by car or by boat from the port of San Martín de los Andes. It is a bit more remote, but there are still cabins, camping, picnic areas and incredible scenery.

They are quiet and pleasant places to spend with the family.

📷 Book here the excursion to Villa Quila Quina and visit the Mapuche communities of Curruhuinca.

Quila Quina Pier

6) Things to do in San Martín de los Andes in winter, skiing in Cerro Chapelco

Skiing is one of the activities to do in San Martin de los Andes in winter and Chapelco is the ski center of the city. It also has a kind of villa where you can stay and restaurants to choose from. It has a good number of slopes, while the means of elevation are adequate. Many agree that if there are a lot of people, they are a bit overwhelmed.

📷 Book here your transfer from San Martín de los Andes to Chapelco Hill.

San Martin de los Andes Ski Pass

The ski season at Chapelco starts at the end of June and lasts until the end of September.

The price of the Chapelco ski pass varies according to the age of the person who hires it, the time of the year and the number of days. Discounts are available for children from 6 to 11 years old, university students and seniors from 60 to 69 years old. Children under 5 years old and adults over 70 years old have a free pass (they only pay an insurance of 200 pesos).

Half-day passes are also available, valid from 1:00 p.m. until closing time.

✏️ Due to high inflation in the country, pass prices vary from year to year. You can see the updated prices from here.

Where can I buy the San Martin de los Andes ski pass? It can be purchased online from Chapelco’s website (only if you have a chip card), or in person at Chapelco’s offices in the city center (Moreno 859 from 9 am to 1 pm and from 5 pm to 9 pm daily). In addition to the pass, the cost of the chip card of about 500 pesos per person must be paid, which is reimbursed once it is no longer used.

Chapelco

7) Do the 7 Lakes Trail

Route 40 has unique landscapes along the more than 5000 kms that separate the north from the south. One of the most awaited stretches are these 100 kms of road that go along the blue lakes and the Andes mountain range to Villa La Angostura.

📷 Don’t get complicated and visit the 7 Lakes Road and Villa La Angostura on an excursion in Spanish.

Road of the 7 lakes IMG_6236

8) Excursions to do in the surroundings of San Martín de los Andes

Finally, there are also many visits that can be made in the surroundings of San Martín de los Andes.

One of them is to visit the Lanín volcano, the symbol of the province of Neuquen, which is located on the border between Argentina and Chile, surrounded by lakes Paimún and Huechulafquen and Tromen. With its snow-capped peak, this imposing volcano is 3,770 meters high.

📷 Book here the excursion to Huechulafquen Lake and Lanin Volcano, two of the natural jewels of the province of Neuquen. It includes a stop in the town of Junín de los Andes.

The second visit worth making from San Martín de los Andes is to visit Villa Pehuenia, a charming village on the shores of Lake Aluminé and in the middle of the Andes Mountain Range. You will be amazed by the beauty that nature hides in this place.

📷 Book here the excursion to Villa Pehuenia with guide. A town that deserves to be visited for its natural environment and charm.

Take a look at these excursions that we recommend you to do from San Martín de los Andes.

Where to stay in San Martín de los Andes?

The city is small, so from wherever you stay you will be just minutes away from the lake or the city center.

Our recommendations for lodging in San Martín de los Andes are as follows:

  • Arrayan Mountain Hosteria and Tea House: considered as historical patrimony, the inn is located far from the center in a spectacular enclave to view the lake and the mountains. A homemade breakfast with jams and regional products is served daily.
  • Monteverde Inn: alpine style, this inn is located in the heart of the city. It has a swimming pool, sauna and barbecue. The staff is very helpful.
  • La Fontaine Inn: beautiful inn that has a park in the back, a swimming pool and a creek that borders it. Comfortable rooms, good breakfast and excellent service.

🏨 Do you want to look for other options? Find here the best hotels in San Martín de los Andes.

And take a look at our article on where to stay in San Martín de los Andes. You are sure to find more options.

How to get to San Martín de los Andes?

San Martín de los Andes can be reached by plane from Buenos Aires or Neuquen Capital during the high season. The airport is located about 20 kilometers from the city center.

📷 Book here your transfer from San Martin de los Andes airport to downtown.

There is also the alternative of arriving by bus to San Martin de los Andes, mainly from nearby places such as Villa La Angostura or Bariloche, although it is also possible from Buenos Aires in a trip of about 22 hours.

If you reach San Martin de los Andes by car from Buenos Aires, it is necessary to make the route up to Neuquen capital and then there are two possible alternatives: Route 22 to Zapala and then Route 40 to San Martín de los Andes, or Route 237 through Piedra del Aguila, then Route 234 and finally Route 40.

If you are going to cross to San Martin de los Andes from Chile by car, the closest pass is Huahum, but on the Argentinean side the road is gravel. To access from Chile by paved road, you must cross the Cardenal Samore pass at Osorno and Villa La Angostura in Argentina.

Discounts and useful resources to save on your trip

Transport
  • Cheap flights with Skyscanner
  • Rent a car with Auto Europe
  • Interrail Pass
  • Eurail Pass
  • Train Tickets with OMIO
  • Bus tickets with OMIO
  • Ferry tickets with OMIO
  • Asia tickets with 12Go
Accommodation
  • Hotels with Booking
Activities and Tours
  • Tours in English with Civitatis
  • Free tours with GuruWalk
Travel Insurance
  • HEYMondo (5% discount)
  • Chapka (7% discount)
  • Safety Wing Nomad Insurance

– Comparison of Travel Insurance 2023 –

Others for your trip
  • Claim Canceled Airhelp Flight
  • Sim Card or eSim with HolaFly
For your travel blog
  • Hosting with Webempresa
    (25% discount with the code “gracias25”)
  • Web translation plugin with WPML

More articles about Patagonia Argentina

  • 10 Things to Do in Trelew and Surroundings
  • 12 Things to Do in Ushuaia, at the End of the World
  • 17 Best Places to Visit in Patagonia Argentina (Must-See + Map)
  • 7 Things to Do in Bariloche in Summer
  • Bariloche in 4 days, the best travel itinerary
  • Best Beaches in Southern Argentina
  • Best Hotels in El Calafate: Where to Stay
  • El Calafate in 4 days, the best travel itinerary
  • El Chaltén in 3 Days, Travel Itinerary
  • Guide to the Best Trekkings in El Chaltén
  • How to Do the Route of the 7 Lakes in Patagonia Argentina
  • How to Get From Bariloche Airport to the Center of the City
  • How to Get From El Calafate Airport to the City
  • How to get from Ushuaia airport to downtown
  • Perito Moreno Glacier: How to Get There and Things to Do
  • The Best Things to Do in Villa la Angostura
  • The Best Tours in Bariloche
  • The Best Tours in San Martin de Los Andes
  • The Best Tours in Ushuaia: Mountains, Lakes, Sailing and More
  • Things to Do in Bariloche: The Best Activities
  • Things to Do in El Bolsón in One Day (And Lago Puelo)
  • Things to Do in El Calafate, Glaciers and Much More
  • Things to Do in Esquel in 2 or 3 Days (And in Trevelin)
  • Things to Do in Las Grutas Argentina, Beach and Surroundings
  • Things to Do in Puerto Madryn: Sea, Whales and More
  • Upsala Glacier Tour and Other Glaciers
  • Ushuaia in 4 days, the best travel itinerary
  • Where to Go on Summer Holidays in Patagonia
  • Where to Stay In Bariloche: Cabins and Hotels
  • Where to Stay in San Martín de Los Andes
  • Where to Stay in Ushuaia, the Best Options
  • Where to Stay in Villa la Angostura, the Best Options

Pint it!

What did you think! Do you have any other recommendations for things to do in San Martín de los Andes or any other questions? Leave us a comment!

Note: Some of the links on our site are affiliate links. This means that we receive a small commission if you use them, and you will not be charged any additional amount. It is a way of thanking us for the info you have found for your next trip.

About Flor

¡Hola, soy Flor! Podría decir que el gran cambio vino de la mano de un viaje largo, unos 14 meses por Europa y Asia en el que hice clic. Colgué mi super traje de contadora pública (no más zapatos de tacón ni maquillaje) y salió a la luz un universo de cosas de las que era capaz: descubrir lugares recónditos, escribir sobre viajes y dedicarme a ello, hacer lindas fotografías, dibujar, pintar, coser, cocinar rico y ser madre, con toda la paciencia y amor que esta tarea requiere. Puedes ver más en nuestro blog Ruta del Mate.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Attention!

Travel to these destinations

Travel to Europe
Travel to Spain
Travel to Asia
Travel to Africa
Travel to America
Travel to Argentina
Plan your Trip around the World

The best travel guides

Country Travel Guides
City Travel Guides
Regions Travel Guides
Local Travel Guides

Thematic Trips

Unusual Destinations
Curiosities of the World
Beer Places
Let's Go to the Beach
Beatlemanía

Routes and Itineraries for your Trip

The Best Road Trips
Route 40 in Argentina
Interrail and Eurail Train Routes
Trans Mongolian and Trans Siberian
Silk Road
Useful Itineraries for your Trip
Beautiful Trekkings

This may interest you

Choose the Best Travel Insurance for you
Travelling with Kids and Families
The best Travel Tips
World Heritage Sites
Save Money in your Trip


· Ruta del Mate - All rights reserved© 2023 ·
Politica de Privacidad · Política de Cookies · Aviso Legal

  • Español