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[title]Mendoza has a myriad of plans to offer: wine and gastronomic tourism represent it worldwide, but there’s much more to discover in every corner. Adventure, cultural, and religious tourism; incredible natural landscapes with water mirrors, rivers, and mountains; experiences, circuits, and accommodations for every travel style, in each of its five regions.
In fact, this is what Mendoza will present at the 28th edition of the Latin American International Tourism Fair (FIT), which will be held at La Rural. On Saturday, September 28, and Sunday, September 29, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., the general public can visit the booth, which, for the first time in a long while, will be integrated by the Cuyo Region Tourism Entity (Mendoza, San Juan, and San Luis). Tickets can be purchased here.
“We will showcase a comprehensive Mendoza, with options for all tastes and for all tourist segments. It’s a destination with countless high-quality services and products, catering both to tourists seeking high-end offerings and those desiring more relaxed experiences,” says Cristina Mengarelli, Director of Tourism Promotion and Market Intelligence at the Mendoza Tourism Entity.
"At the FIT Fair, we will showcase a comprehensive Mendoza, with options for all tastes and all tourist segments"
Southern Mendoza: Adventure and nature in San Rafael, General Alvear, and Malargüe
This region offers a range of activities, both in summer and winter. Its vast and majestic expanses allow visitors to escape the city and immerse themselves in the serenity of the Andean valleys.
Destinations such as the Las Leñas ski resort in Malargüe attract the most adventurous tourists, as well as the Witch's Cave, the Llancanelo Lagoon with its flamingos, and La Payunia with guanacos. Scientific tourism is also highly present in this department, where visitors can explore the Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory and a modern planetarium.
"Scientific tourism is also highly present in this department"
In San Rafael, the Los Reyunos hydroelectric complex or the fabulous Atuel Canyon, framed by the Nihuil and Valle Grande dams, are ideal for rafting, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, mountain biking, fishing, boating, and ecotourism. In General Alvear, beaches and campgrounds allow for special recreation with their clubs around the rivers and the El Trapal Lagoon.
Tip: Don’t miss the National Goat Festival and the Provincial Lamb Festival in January in Malargüe, as well as the National Livestock Festival of Arid Zones in May in General Alvear.
Uco Valley: Mountains, vineyards, and history in San Carlos, Tunuyán, and Tupungato
The emblematic Route 40 serves as the main tourist access to this region, which comprises three departments. This route offers a genuine postcard-like scene, surrounded by the majestic Cordón del Plata and the Portillo, with views crowned by Mount Tupungato, along with vineyards and wineries on both sides of the road.
The impressive Condor Gorge (La Carrera, Tupungato) is one of the places to enjoy horseback riding and observe condor nests. The Historic Manzano (Tunuyán), a site of one of the historic routes of the Army of the Andes, has a remarkable monument, as well as campgrounds, fish stations, artisan fairs, horseback riding, and hiking trails.
While in San Carlos, peace reigns with bird and guanaco watching alongside lagoons and volcanoes, sport fishing, and nature tourism in the Laguna del Diamante Reserve, with the imposing silhouette of the Maipo Volcano in the background.
Tip: There are two must-see events: the National Tonada Festival in February in Tunuyán and the Tradition Festival in November in San Carlos.
Greater Mendoza, the urban heart of the province
This urban cluster includes the departments of Ciudad, Godoy Cruz, Las Heras, Guaymallén, Maipú, Luján de Cuyo, and Lavalle. It offers a wide range of tourist services and accommodations, from luxurious five-star hotels to hostels. There is also a diverse gastronomic offering, featuring both national and international cuisine.
The city's plazas beautify the urban landscape and are all within walking distance: Plaza San Martín, Plaza España, Plaza Italia, Plaza Chile, and Plaza Independencia, which boasts an impressive water fountain, a museum, a theater, and artisans.
The General San Martín Park is the city's green lung, which can be explored on foot or by vehicle, leading to the Ecopark and the Cerro de la Gloria. To engage in ecotourism activities, discovering the sand dunes of the Altos Limpios and the Telteca Forest Reserve in Lavalle is ideal.
"For ecotourism activities, it’s ideal to discover Lavalle’s Altos Limpios dunes and the Telteca Forest Reserve"
The cultural spaces distributed across the various departments, such as the Independence Theater, the ECA, and the Julio Le Parc Cultural Space, feature a varied event agenda. Additionally, the National Wine and Harvest Museum (Maipú) showcases artistic and cultural expressions.
Tip: Mendoza celebrates wine and its makers during January and February with local festivals, culminating in the National Harvest Festival on the first weekend of March. The Greek Theater Frank Romero Day hosts the province's biggest event.
Pre-cordillera and High Mountains: Adventurous activities in Luján de Cuyo and Las Heras
The Andes Mountains, with its imposing snow-capped peaks such as Mount Aconcagua, and the winding rivers, like the Mendoza River, offer an impressive panorama. The mountain showcases its best tourist face in spots like Cacheuta with its hot springs, offering massage services, hydrotherapy, or simply the chance to relax outdoors.
The Potrerillos Valley with its dam is emblematic for lovers of adventure, nature, and chill afternoons. Rafting, trekking, canopy, and horseback riding are among the activities, along with sunsets at Las Palapas and other bars.
A few kilometers from Penitentes is the Puente del Inca, a unique geological formation with colors resulting from mineral oxidation, such as sulfur and iron. Visitors can also view the remains of the thermal baths of the homonymous hotel and the ancient chapel that still stands.
Tip: The Aconcagua Provincial Park is the flagship attraction from November to April. There are short treks for all audiences and longer, more advanced routes, as well as different paths to reach the highest peak in the Americas.
Eastern Zone: History, religion, and vineyards in San Martín, Junín, Rivadavia, Santa Rosa, and La Paz
In this region, the impressive geometric patterns of farms, ranches, and vineyards outline a distinctive landscape. It extends from the Mendoza River to the Desaguadero River, bordering the province of San Luis, and constitutes one of the widest oases in the area.
The Sanmartinian Route unfolds both in the path of colonial posts and in sites like the Chacra de Los Barriales, the Vaults Museum in San Martín, the Paseo de la Patria, and the city of San Martín itself.
It’s a particularly attractive area for sports competitions and mass sports events. Here lies the Jorge Ángel Pena Racetrack, which has hosted the TC 2000 and Top Race.
The encounter with nature amazes in Santa Rosa at the Ñacuñan Biosphere Reserve. This area is protected by UNESCO and includes thousands of hectares of carob and jarilla forests alongside herders with their typical customs.
"The Ñacuñan Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO-protected area"
Tip: Don’t miss the Cueca and Apricot Festival (Santa Rosa), Rivadavia Sings to the Country (Rivadavia), the Festival of Nations (Junín), and the Peace Festival and Cuyo’s Song (La Paz).
In summary, Mendoza reveals itself as a fascinating and diverse destination that offers something for every type of traveler, from adventures in its mountains to cultural and gastronomic experiences in its cities, natural beauties, and entertainment. Whether you're seeking relaxation, exploration, or fun, this province is the ideal place to discover and enjoy year-round.