San Martín de los Andes, Argentina: travel guide
A lakeside mountain town on Lago Lácar, start of the Seven Lakes Route
Charming Andean village on Lago Lacar — Lanín Volcano, fly-fishing, Chapelco ski resort, and the scenic Seven Lakes Route.
About San Martín de los Andes
San Martín de los Andes is a small town in Neuquén, built around the head of Lago Lácar and surrounded by Andean forest. The scale is gentle: timber-fronted buildings, a lakefront with a small beach, and views up to Cerro Chapelco and the volcano Lanín beyond.
In summer there are boat trips across the lake to Quila Quina, hiking to viewpoints like Mirador Bandurrias, and fly-fishing on nearby rivers. The Seven Lakes Route heading towards Bariloche begins here and is among the most scenic drives in the country. In winter, Chapelco is the local ski resort.
It suits couples, families and drivers who want quieter lake scenery than Bariloche. December to March is the main summer window.
- Country
- Argentina
- Currency
- ARS
- Time zone
- America/Argentina/Salta
- Nearest airport
- CPC
Last updated
Plan a San Martín de los Andes trip
Top places to visit in San Martín de los Andes
Lago Lácar
Nature · about 3 h · entry $35,000 (≈ ₹2,200)
The glacial lake San Martín de los Andes is built around — 25 km of deep blue water inside Lanín National Park, with the town pier at its eastern head and boat crossings west to Hua Hum and the Chilean border.
Cerro Chapelco
Activity · about 7 h · check the fee at the gate
San Martín's ski mountain, 20 km south of town — lift-served slopes to 1,980 m with Lanín volcano on the skyline, and a lift-served summer viewpoint out of season.
Mirador Bandurrias
Viewpoint · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The classic lookout over San Martín de los Andes — a wooded hour's walk from the end of Juez del Valle ends on a bluff with the whole length of Lago Lácar below.
Playa Catritre
Beach · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A grey-sand beach on the south shore of Lago Lácar, 4 km from town on the Siete Lagos road — shallow water, coihue forest behind, and one of the closest swimming spots to San Martín.
Quila Quina
Beach · about 4 h · entry $35,000 (≈ ₹2,200)
A Mapuche-community hamlet and beach on the south shore of Lago Lácar, reached by launch from the town pier or a winding 18 km road — swimming, a self-guided community trail and a waterfall walk.
Mirador Lago Escondido (Ruta de los Siete Lagos)
Viewpoint · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The signature stop on the Ruta de los Siete Lagos — a roadside balcony on RN 40 looking down onto Lago Escondido, hemmed in by forest between San Martín de los Andes and Villa La Angostura.
Lago Lolog
Nature · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
A quieter lake 15 km north of town inside Lanín National Park — fly-fishing for trout, black-sand beaches at Puerto Arturo, and far fewer people than Lácar in high summer.
Things to do
- Ski or snowboard day at Cerro Chapelco Skiing · 7 h
- Ruta de los Siete Lagos scenic drive Scenic Drive · 8 h
- Lago Lácar launch to Quila Quina and Hua Hum Boat Tour · 4 h
Where to eat
- La Reserva Patagónica argentinian, patagonian · about ARS 9,000 per person
Getting to San Martín de los Andes
Airport: San Martín de los Andes (CPC)
Getting around
- Bus
- Car Rental Self
- Taxi
- Walking