Trying to find a driveable trip outside Mendoza (where we are flying into). Have read about San Juan, Barreal and some other National Parques that have stunning landscapes. Any info on these areas -- your input, specific sites, driving routes/distances, lodging. We were hoping to do Salta, but based on the travel limitations, it doesn't seem workable this visit. Thanks!

We went to Velley of the Moon and it's a very interesting park where they have found dinosaur bones. It's a good drive from Mendoza. I think we left Villa Union after breakfast, drove to San Juan in time for lunch, then it was another 1 1/2 hours or so to Mendoza. If you are looking for something surreal, this would be the park to go to.

Hello again kacollier:

Woodie again. We visited this park with Marcelo [Money Tur]..

It is desert country and very interesting. We live near the Rocky Mountains in Canada so we found this tour interesting and different from what we have at home.

The scenery was worthwile for us.

Woodie.

Ishigualasto Park is 200 miles north of San Juan and a 4 hrs drive. It's reminicent of the Bad Lands of South Dakota. Talampaya Park is closeby and is impressing with its huge canyons, echo chambers and petroglyphs. From San Juan you can probably see both places in one day.

June

June

If San Juan is a good base, does anyone have great hotel or lodge recommendations for this area? My husband does not mind driving so 2-3 hours is nothing for him (we just put on 800 miles in the US for a weekend getaway). Thanks!

Hi Kacollier,
Try Alkazar hotel in San Juan, the best hotel in the area and centrally located. It is rated as a 4-star but is more like a 3-star hotel.
You can also try Hosteria del valle Fertil, in San Agustin, which is a small town along the way to Ischigaulasto Park.

June

it might be easier to stay in valle fertil. i went to ischigualasto (valle de la luna) and talampaya the following day. i think tryhing to see both in one day would be exhausting. just seeing the diversity between those two parks was something special. very off the beaten path i loved san juan

ttt

Hello kacollier:

We stayed at the Vinas del Sol hotel in San Juan. It is at the edge of town, not really far from the centre.

It is officially rated as a 3 star but should be 4 or 4.5. We found it that good.

Also we stopped at La Querencia Posada de Campo in Barreal, San Juan, also a great place to stay. Here we had a fantastic unobstructed view of the Andes and one of the best breakfasts ever. This posada is a further distance from the town of Barreal which is much smaller than San Juan. At La Querencia a bit of Spanish language would be important. The host here does not have a dining room other than for breakfast.

If we were to go again, we would certainly visit La querencia for a rest stop for a short break, it was that good.

Actually, both of these hotels were very very good.

Barreal is a popular spot for land based sailing. They have a large area of hard packed silt with strong winds in the early afternoon, for those who find this interesting. People come from far for this activity.

There is also a world class astronomy station [with tours] near by.

Woodie.

Dear Kacollier: I am very sorry to hear you are not coming to Salta and Jujuy... The NW of Argentina is really impressive, something you can not imagine... Purmamarca, for instance, is a tiny town framed by colourful mountains and wher the time has stopped. Cafayate is the area of the wines, sun shines 347 days in the year and the unique torrontes has the falvour of the sunshine while you drink it... well, maybe some other time... an excuse to come back, but first in your next list!
Flintstones