San Martin de los Andes

Patagonian Paradise by Lake Lácar

San Martín de los Andes sits in northern Argentina at the foot of the Andes mountains. The town has a quiet charm with wooden buildings and wide streets lined by trees. Local markets sell handmade crafts, cheese and honey made from nearby farms. Hiking trails lead into forested hills where visitors can see waterfalls and lakes surrounded by pine forests. In winter snow covers mountain peaks making it popular for skiing and snowshoeing. The community values outdoor activities year round with fishing in clear rivers and biking along scenic routes.

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City in Argentina

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.9

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	8

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3/5

While Spanish is the official language, many tour operators, hotel staff, and restaurant employees have a basic to moderate understanding of English.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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San Martin de los Andes Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
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Great for lakes and mountain adventures. Kayak clear waters, hike forest trails, ski in winter and explore scenic Patagonian landscapes.

Place score

7.1

Best at:

Natural sites

Cosy towns

Mountains

Spotless

Hiking

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

❤️ 9

Couples

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

Argentina – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type I Type C: Type I: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Argentine Peso (ARS) £1 ≈ ARS 2,048.06
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in larger cities, especially with credit and debit cards. However, cash is often preferred in smaller towns. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	In restaurants, a 10% tip is standard. Tipping in taxis is not required, but rounding up is common.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is legal but should be done responsibly. It is common in parks and beaches.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited indoors in public spaces, but allowed in outdoor areas.

Argentina Independence Day (July)	Expect public celebrations and some business closures.
Christmas (December)	Expect closures and holiday events.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 911 (Police), 107 (Ambulance), 100 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Cabify, Uber, BA Taxi
Other:	Argentina is known for its vibrant culture, tango, and excellent cuisine, including steaks and wines.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for San Martin de los Andes, Argentina

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - Feb., July - Aug., Dec.
Shoulder season:	March - April, Sep., Nov.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Ski season at Cerro Chapelco runs July to September, busiest during winter school holidays in July

Lanín volcano climbing season is December to March, Seven Lakes road (Ruta 40) can be snowy or icy in winter

Hiking, camping and boat trips on the lakes run November to April, many services close May to June

Don't miss

🛣️ Drive the scenic Route of the Seven Lakes
⛷️ Ski or snowboard at Cerro Chapelco Resort
🏖️ Relax and swim at Playa Quila Quina beach
🥾 Hike the Sendero al Mirador Bandurrias viewpoint trail
🛶 Kayak on peaceful Lake Machonico and nearby rivers
🏘️ Explore San Martín's charming alpine-style town center

You've been here?

Why travel to San Martin de los Andes?

If you're seeking a blend of serene landscapes and outdoor adventures, this town offers both. From hiking through dense forests to skiing on snow-capped peaks, there's something for every nature enthusiast. The local culture, infused with Patagonian charm, adds to the town's unique allure.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Chapelco Golf Club
2 La Pastera Museo del Che Guevara
3 Mirador Bandurrias
4 Museo Municipal Primeros Pobladores
5 Plaza San Martín

🎡Places for activities

1 Playa Catritre
2 Chapelco

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Río Chimehuin
2 Lácar Lake

🛍️Shopping

1 Paseo Artesanal
2 El Regional
3 Feria de Artesanos
4 La Anónima
5 La Costa del Pueblo
6 Paseo de Compras
7 Paseo del Sol

🎈Events

Fiesta Nacional del Montañés (August)
Chapelco Snow Festival (July)
Patagonia Run (April)
Mountain Film Festival (September)
National Trout Festival (November)
Winter Music Festival (July)
Andes Film Festival (October)
San Martín Anniversary Celebration (February)
Lácar Lake Regatta (January)
Mapuche New Year Celebration (June)

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Rent a car early; the Seven Lakes route is unmissable.
Pack layers and rain protection; Patagonian weather changes quickly around Lake Lácar.
Use the visitor center for trail conditions before hikes in Lanín National Park.
Hike Mirador Bandurrias for wide lake views, then continue to La Islita for a quieter swim.

How to travel to San Martin de los Andes

The nearest airport is Aviador Carlos Campos Airport (CPC), about 22 km from town, with flights from Buenos Aires. Alternatively, long-distance buses connect San Martín de los Andes with major Argentine cities. Driving is another option, offering scenic routes through the Andes.

Access summary

From Chapelco Airport (CPC): Taxi or shuttle to town, about 20–30 minutes.
From Bariloche: Scenic bus or self-drive via Route 40, roughly 4–5 hours.
From Buenos Aires: Direct flights to Chapelco in high season, around 2.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in San Martin de los Andes

Accommodations range from cozy hostels to luxury lodges. Many establishments are built in charming alpine styles, reflecting the town's mountain heritage. Booking in advance is advisable, especially during peak seasons.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Loi Suites Chapelco Hotel

9.6

Hotel Antiguos

9.3

Patagonia Plaza Hotel

8.3

Le Chatelet

9.3

Hotel & Spa La Cheminee

Hosteria Hostal del Esquiador

9.6

Hotel y Cabanas Le Village

9.2

Hosteria El Arbol Duende

7.2

Explore more accommodations

How to get around San Martin de los Andes

The town is pedestrian-friendly and many attractions are within walking distance. For destinations further afield, local buses and taxis are available. Renting a car is recommended for exploring the surrounding natural parks and lakes.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-49 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 49% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-80 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to ARS) is 80% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is a lot cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Bariloche, Argentina - 111 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£43	£87	£236
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£19	£45	£120
🍝 Food per day	£21	£37	£97
🚕 Transportation per day	£3	£5	£19

Notable additional fees: For skiing, Cerro Chapelco adult day pass about US$60 (£45.07). Ski, boot and pole hire runs roughly US$30 – 40 (£22.53 – 30.05) a day.

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£12.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£8.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£8
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£6.50
☕ Cappuccino	£2.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.80