Argentina - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 98

1

the forested Parque General San Martín ,
1km west of Plaza Independencia, is
one of the most impressive urban parks
in the country. Whether you're navigating
it by foot, bike, horse or public bus, be
sure to grab a map at the information
centre (daily June-Aug 8am-6pm, rest
of year 8am-7pm; T 0261 420 5052,
ext 221) just inside the park's grand gated
main entrance.
Within lie some fifty thousand trees, a
rose garden, tennis courts, an observatory,
swimming pool, lake, zoo, football
stadium, amphitheatre and, in the
southeastern corner, the Museo de
Ciencias Naturales y Antropológicas Juan
Cornelio Moyano (Tues-Fri 8am-1pm
& 2-7pm, Sat & Sun 3-7pm; AR$2;
T

Tourist information The city tourist o ce is on San
Martín, at Garibaldi (daily 9am-9pm; T 0261 420 1333,
W turismo.mendoza.gov.ar), and the provincial tourist
o ce is at San Martín 1143 (daily 8am-9pm; T 0261 420
2800). Ask staff for a list and map of wineries.

ACCOMMODAT ION
Mendoza has dozens of outstanding backpacker
hostels, the best of which have gardens and swimming
pools and fill up fast; all listed here include breakfast,
kitchen, internet and tour-booking services. Book
well in advance if travelling in early March, as the city
packs out for the Fiesta de la Vendimia wine festival.
Campers will find a shady spot to pitch their tents
at El Suizo on Av Champagnat in El Challao, 6km
northwest of Mendoza (per person AR$25; T 0261 444
1991, W campingsuizo.com.ar), with a swimming pool,
restaurant and outdoor cinema. Bus #115 runs there
from Av Alem, at San Martín.

0261 428 7666). This contains an
intriguing collection of pre-Columbian
mummies, fossils and stuffed animals.
Sweeping city views are to be had from
the top of Cerro de la Gloria (Glory Hill),
crowned by a bronze monument to San
Martín's liberating army.

HOSTELS
Hostel Alamo Necochea 740 T 0261 429 5565, W hostel
alamo.com.ar. On a quiet residential street, this yellow
mansion is a real godsend for those looking for a sociable
but well-mannered backpackers' retreat. The massive
supermarket opposite will delight self-caterers, as will the
hostel's glasse d-in di ning area looking onto a Zen-like
garden. Dorms AR$80 , doubles AR$180
Hostel Campo Base Mitre 946 T 0261 429 0707,
W campobase.com.ar. Although the dorms are a bit
cramped, this well-located hostel is a hit with party people
and Aconcagua climbers (treks are or ganize d through the
a liated tour company). Dorms only AR$80
Hostel Independencia Mitre 1237 T 0261 423 1806,
W hostelindependencia.com.ar. Boisterous party hostel in
a gorgeous mansion. The location and common areas are
among the best in the city; the bathrooms, sadly, are not.
If you're sensitiv e to noise or alcohol, go elsewhere. Dorms
AR$75 , doubles AR$180

ARRIVAL AND INFORMAT ION
By plane The airport ( T 0261 441 0900, ext 521) is 7km
north of downtown. A taxi or remise to the city centre
costs AR$40.
Destinations Buenos Aires (4 daily; 1hr 50min); Córdoba
(2 daily; 1hr 20min); Santiago de Chile (2 daily; 40min).
By bus The bus station ( T 0261 431 5000) is just east
of the centre on Av Gobernador Videla, at Av Acceso Este
(RN7); a taxi to the centre costs AR$12.
Destinations Bariloche (2 daily; 18hr); Buenos Aires
(every 30min; 17hr); Córdoba (hourly; 10hr); Salta (9 daily;
19hr); San Juan (hourly; 2hr 30min); San Rafael (hourly;
3hr 15min); Santiago de Chile (12 daily; 7hr).

MENDOZA TOURS
Mendoza province is not just about wine, and its mountains and rivers offer plenty of
opportunities for trekking and adventure sports, for which you'll need the services of the
region's highly professional tour operators.
TOUR OPERATORS
Argentina Rafting Potrerillos T 0262 448 2037,
W argentinarafting.com. Runs white-water rafting trips
down the Class III-IV rapids of the Mendoza River.
Aymara 9 de Julio 1023, Mendoza T 0261 420 2064,
W aymara.com.ar. Specializes in guided Aconcagua treks.
Bikes and Wines Urquiza 1601, Maipu T 0261 410
6686, W bikesandwines.com. Organizes bicycle tours

to wineries.
Campo Base Peatonal Sarmiento 229, Mendoza
T 0261 425 5511, W campobase.com.ar. Offers adven-
ture excursions that combine trekking, mountain biking
and abseiling in one action-packed day.
El Rincón de los Oscuros Av Los Cóndores,
Potrerillos T 0262 448 3030, W rincondelososcuros
.com. Horseriding specialists.