Before you go

Your trip to San Martín de los Andes.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

San Martín de los Andes – Neuquén Destination Bariloche and Rota dos Sete Lagos

How to get there

Aeropuerto Chapelco Aviador Carlos Campos (CPC) 22 km
Terminal de Ómnibus de San Martín de los Andes 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

The airport is about 22 km from the center. It's also possible to arrive via Bariloche and follow Ruta 40 via Villa La Angostura. San Martín's bus terminal is near the shore of Lago Lácar.

How many days

Two or three days allow you to walk along the costanera, choose the viewpoints and spend more time at Quila Quina. Add a day for the Sete Lagos drive if you're coming from Villa La Angostura.

When to go

From December to March days usually have more daylight for viewpoints and visits to the beaches of Lago Lácar. Between June and September cold and possible snow require attention to roads and trails. April and May typically bring autumn foliage to the region's forests.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

The costanera and downtown are visited on foot. For Arrayán, Quila Quina and the Sete Lagos stretch, a car or a guided tour makes planning easier. Bandurrias is reached by trail; the boat option for Quila Quina depends on services available at the time.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in San Martín de los Andes

Morning
Lácar waterfront
Walk along the lake between the urban beach and the pier. Observe the valley and the layout of the town before deciding on excursions outside the urban area.
Afternoon
Hike to Mirador Bandurrias
If trail conditions and your fitness allow, head to Mirador Bandurrias. Consider the time for the round trip and respect the guidance of the community responsible for access.
Late afternoon
Another perspective at Mirador Arrayán
With transport arranged, visit Mirador Arrayán to view the town and the lake from the opposite shore. Don't tie the visit to the expectation of a sunset.
Evening
Dinner in the central streets
Return to town and choose a meal on the streets near Avenida San Martín. Leave Quila Quina for another day if you want to spend more time on the lake's south shore.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Can you walk from the town center to the lake?

Yes. the costanera of Lago Lácar is at the edge of the urban center. The bus terminal is also in that area, but the distance from your accommodation depends on the street and its position in the valley.

Are the Bandurrias and Arrayán viewpoints the same excursion?

No. Bandurrias is reached by trail on land of the Curruhuinca community, while Arrayán is accessed by the path that climbs from the south shore. They offer different perspectives of Lago Lácar and have different travel requirements.

How to combine the town with the Rota dos Sete Lagos?

Use San Martín as one base and drive Ruta 40 to Villa La Angostura with time for stops. Staying overnight at both ends reduces returning over the same stretch in a single day.

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