Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Away
Buses depart regularly from La Cumbre's convenient
bus terminal
(General Paz, near
Caraffa)
, heading northward to Capilla del Monte (AR$11, 30 minutes) or south to
Cosquín (AR$15, 1¼ hours), Villa Carlos Paz (AR$28, 1½ hours), San Marcos (AR$21,
one hour) and Córdoba (AR$45, 2½ hours). Minibuses (which take about half an hour
less) are the fastest way to Córdoba. There is also a direct service to Buenos Aires
(AR$650, 12½ hours).
TOP OF CHAPTER
San Marcos de las Sierras
03549 / POP 930 / ELEV 625M
Once a moribund hill town, San Marcos got an injection of life in the late '60s when the
hippies discovered its mild climate, way-off-the-grid isolation and good farmland, and
began flocking here. Over the decades, curious tourists began appearing, having heard
about the hippie town in the Sierras, and eventually the town's emphasis shifted from ag-
riculture and handicraft manufacture to tourism.
Taken aback by the swing towards capitalism, many of the old crew moved out but
traces of San Marcos' hippie heritage remains - the community has successfully cam-
paigned against the use of genetically modified crops in the valley as well as sealed roads
and even a gas station in town. These days the town makes for a pleasant getaway and
the creekside location in a pretty valley is as enticing as ever.
There's no bus terminal, but buses arrive and depart from a stop near the main plaza.
9am-6pm)
has a good map of the town and surrounds and decent info on walks and
upcoming events. There's an ATM in the Municipal building on Sarmiento, but bring
cash in case it isn't working.
Sights & Activities
San Marcos enjoys a fabulous natural setting, and there are some excellent walks just out
of town, including the riverside walk to the
Viejo Molino
(admission AR$5; 9am-3pm)
,
a 17th-century flour mill that was used to grind the town's cereals until the 1950s. The
tourist office has a good area map.
Museo Hippie
MUSEUM
