Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The
municipal tourist office
(
02652-476078;
www.villademerlo.gov.ar
; Coronel Mercau
605;
8am-8pm)
has maps and information on hotels and campgrounds.
Sights & Activities
For a sweeping view of the town and valley, head up to the
miradores
(lookouts) over-
looking town. Taxis charge around AR$400 to take you to the Mirador del Sol, halfway
up the mountain, and then another 12km to the Mirador de los Condores, which is on top
of the mountain ridge and gives views in both directions. There's a
confíteria
(mains
AR$60-90; 8am-7pm)
up here and, if the wind is right, you can watch the parasailing
maniacs taking off from the nearby launchpad.
Two kilometers from the center, in Rincón del Este, on the road to the Miradors, the
Reserva Natural de Merlo
(admission free; daylight hr)
is a lovely spot for creekside
walks up to a couple of swimming holes. Tour operators in the park offer a range of
activities including guided walks, ziplines and rock climbing.
El Rincon del Paraiso
(set
meals around AR$70; 8am-6pm)
, about 400m from the park entrance, is a beautiful,
shady restaurant in the middle of the park - a great place for lunch or a couple of drinks.
Serranias Tour
( 02652-474737; serraniastour@merlo-sl.com.ar; Avenida del Sol 186;
9am-1pm & 3-8pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat)
is one of the many established tour operators in
town. It offers tours to the nearby archaeological/paleontological park at Bajo de Veliz
(half day AR$200), and a trip combining the nature reserve and Miradors de Sol and de
los Condores (half-day AR$150). This company can hook you up with parasailing oper-
ators - flights cost around AR$600 and last 20 to 30 minutes, depending on wind condi-
tions.
Sleeping
Merlo Hostel
HOSTEL $
( 02652-476928;
www.merlohostel.com.ar
; Av del Sol 1025; dm AR$95; )
A sweet
little family-home-turned-hostel. Dorms could be bigger, but there are good hangout
areas, it's an excellent central location and this is one of the few true budget options in
town.
Hostería Cerro Azul
HOTEL $$$
