Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the edge of town. A lovely seminatural rock swimming pool out the back completes the
picture. The hotel is open mainly in summer, so if you're set on staying here, call ahead.
Rincón del Oro Hostel
HOSTEL $
( 02651-490212; Pringles s/n; dm/d without bathroom AR$80/170; )
Set on a hilltop over-
looking town, this great little hostel has a rustic, intimate feel despite its 57-bed capacity.
La Tomalasta
CAFETERIA $
(mains AR$35-60; 8am-11pm)
Good-value home-cooked meals. If it looks like it's
closed, go around the back to the general store and ask them to open up.
Getting There & Away
Regular buses run from Carolina to San Luis (AR$18, two hours), passing through El
Volcán. Some continue on to Inti Huasi (AR$5, 30 minutes).
Around Carolina
INTI HUASI
This wide, shallow
cave
(admission free; daylight hr)
, the name of which means 'house
of the sun' in Quechua, makes an interesting stop, as much for the gorgeous surrounding
countryside as for the cave itself. Radiocarbon dating suggests that the cave was first in-
habited by the Ayampitín some 8000 years ago. There are regular buses here from San
Luis (AR$20, 2½ hours), passing through Carolina (AR$5, 30 minutes).
LA CASA DE LA PIEDRA PINTADA
Coming from Carolina, 3km before the Inti Huasi cave, a dirt track turns off to Paso de
los Reyes. From the turnoff, it's an easy walk to
La Casa de la Piedra Pintada
(admis-
sion free)
, where more than 50 rock carvings are easily visible in the rock face. Follow
the road until you reach an open meadow at the base of Cerro Sololasta and you'll see
the new cable-and-wood walkway up the cliff face that gives you access to the site. Once
you're finished with the rock art, continue up the hill for spectacular views out over the
Sierras Puntanas.
The road used to be signposted, but isn't any more, making finding this place a little
tricky - you can ask for directions at Inti Huasi, or pay someone to guide you for a nom-
inal fee.
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