Argentina - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 110

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Tourist information The tourist o ce is opposite Plaza
San Martín (Padre Milanesio, at Coronel Suárez; open
8am-9pm; T 02972 491 160, W junindelosandes.gov.ar).
Fishing licences can be purchased here. Next door is the
helpful Parque Nacional Lanín information o ce (Mon-
Fri 8am-9pm; T 02972 492 748, W parquenacionallanin
.gov.ar).

in a peaceful valley wedged between
two forested mountains. The lake offers
great summer splashing, while hiking
and biking trails lead off to lakeside
viewpoints.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO
he Museo de los Primeros Pobladores
(Mon & Wed-Sat 2-6pm; T 02972 428
676; free), set in a 1930s wooden house
on the main plaza, puts the area in a
historical context and displays Mapuche
art and pre-Columbian artefacts. If you're
here in winter (June-Oct) and wondering
where all the people are, your answer
may lie 19km south on the slopes of
Cerro Chapelco ( T 02972 427 845,
W cerrochapelco.com), where there are 29
ski runs, excellent options for beginners
and a snowboard park and night skiing.
San Martín is also the northern starting
or finishing point for the Seven Lakes
Route (see box, p.116).

ACCOMMODAT ION
Hotel prices hit Andean peaks in the summer, when
advance bookings are recommended.
Chimehuín Coronel Suárez, at 25 de Mayo T 02972
491 132, W interpatagonia.com/hosteriachimehuin. The
rooms in this good-value B&B have windows that look
out onto a landscaped garden w ith porch furniture. Wi-fi
and breakfast included. AR$330
La Isla T 02972 492 029. This pretty campsite is within
easy reach of the main plaza, on an island at the eastern
end of Gines Ponte. It has hot showe rs and a shady
riverside setting. Camping/person AR$30
Marisa Rosas 360 T 02972 491 175. A neat and friendly
budget option near the bus termin al, this r esidencial is
peaceful, despite its central location. AR$250
Tromen Lonquimay 195 T 02972 491 498, W hostel
tromen.com.ar. A characterless but serviceable budget
option with a variety of dorm rooms and doubles scattered
around a larg e house. There is a TV room and kitchen.
Dorms AR$50 , doubles AR$150

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By plane Chapelco Airport ( T 02972 428 388) is 25km
from town, with minibus connections to the centre
(AR$50). If flying out of Chapelco, the hourly bus to Junín
(run by Castelli) will drop you off at the airport on request
(AR$5).
Destinations Buenos Aires (daily; 2hr).
By bus The bus terminal is on General Villegas between
Juez del Valle and Coronel Diaz.
Destinations Bariloche (3 daily; 4hr); Junín de los Andes
(12 daily; 1hr); Villa La Angostura (4 daily; 2hr 30min).

EATING AND DRINKING
Junín's culinary offerings are mostly mediocre pizza joints
and rotisseries, strung out along the main road. Stock up
on fresh produce at the supermarket on 9 de Julio, at Panil.
Panadería La Ideal Gral Lamadrid, at O'Higgins.
Seemingly the whole town gathers here each morning for
coffee, newspapers and fantastic sweets and sandwiches.
Daily 8am-1pm & 4-9pm.
Ruca Hueney Padre Milanesio, at Coronel Suárez W ruca
-hueney.com.ar. The best restaurant in town serves trout
alongside the traditional parrilla choices. Less expected
are the Middle Eastern dishes such as hummus , tabbouleh
and baklava .

INFORMAT ION AND TOURS
Tourist information The helpful tourist o ce is on San
Martín, at J.M. de Rosas (open daily 8am-9pm; T 02972
427 347, W sanmartindelosandes.gov.ar). For trekking and
camping maps as well as general park information, head
to the Intendencia del Parque Nacional Lanín, on Perito
Moreno, at Eduardo Elordi (daily 8am-9pm; T 02972 427
233, W parquenacionallanin.gov.ar).
Tour operator Pleasure boats run by Naviera Lacar
Nonthue ( T 02972 427 380), based at the lake pier, depart
for excursions to Paso Hua-Hum near the Chilean border
(daily; AR$360) and to the bay of Quila Quina on Lácar's
southern shore (10 daily; AR$120).

SAN MARTÍN DE LOS ANDES
Pleasant but pricey, SAN MARTÍN DE
LOS ANDES is a smaller version of
neighbouring Bariloche, albeit without
the gobsmacking vistas, tacky hotels or
packs of party-hard students. Alpine-style
chalets, boutique chocolate shops and
upscale restaurants line the holiday
town's impeccably clean streets. San
Martín is set on the shores of Lago Lácar ,

ACCOMMODAT ION
San Martín's prices reflect its popularity with the Argentine
elite. Advance reservations are recommended during the
height of summer and in the ski season, when prices can