Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
trout. But nonfishers will likely stay in windswept Río Grande for a few hours, before
hopping on a bus to Ushuaia, 230km southwest.
As the sheep stations of wool baron José Menéndez developed, Río Grande grew as a
makeshift service town. In 1893 the Salesian order, under the guidance of Monseñor Fag-
nano, set up a mission in an unsuccessful attempt to shelter the Selk'nam from the grow-
ing infringement. As a petroleum service center, the town has an industrial feel: even the
public art looks like giant, grim tinker toys. Geared to the business traveler, it's also
pricey for visitors. Duty-free status, meant to foster local development, has brought in
electronics manufacturing plants and wholesale appliance stores. During the Falklands
War (Guerra de las Malvinas) the military played an important role here; memorials pay
tribute to fallen soldiers.
Catering to high-end anglers,
Posada de los Sauces
( 432895;
www.posadadelossauces.com.ar
; Elcano 839; d $650; )
fosters a lodge atmosphere, with
fresh scents and woodsy accents. Opposite Casino Status,
Hotel Villa
( 424998; hotelvil-
larg@hotmail.com; Av San Martín 281; d/tr AR$495/570; )
has a popular restaurant, and a
dozen spacious and stylish rooms. Hosting both ladies having tea and cake, and boys at
(Belgrano 402; mains AR$60-120)
serves good cafe food, though service can be sluggish.
Most visitor services are along Avs San Martín and Belgrano. For tourist information,
grano 319; 9am-9pm)
on the south side of the plaza or the
Municipal Tourist Kiosk
(
431324; turismo@riogrande.gob.ar; 9am-8pm)
, a helpful kiosk on the plaza, with maps,
estancia
brochures and fishing details.
Mariani Travel
( 426010; mari-
ani@marianitravel.com.ar; Rosales 281)
books flights and represents nearby
estancias
.
THE TROUT ATLAS
You know a place takes fishing seriously when the tourism board posts a trout map
online (
www.tierradelfuego.org.ar/funcardio/trutamap.jpg
). Hollywood stars,
heads of state and former US presidents all flock to desolate stretches around Río
Grande with dreams of the big one. Usually they are in luck.
Rivers around Río Grande were stocked in the 1930s with brown, rainbow and
brook trout. It's now one of the world's best sea-run trout-fishing areas, with some
local specimens weighing in at 15kg. Rainbow trout can reach 9kg.
Fishing excursions are mostly organized through outside agents, many in the
USA. 'Public' fishing rivers, on which trips can be organized, include the Fuego,