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Mendoza

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For other places with the same name, see Mendoza (disambiguation).

Mendoza is a city in western Argentina, in the desert Cuyo region. Mendoza is the center of the Argentinian wine industry, for which it is world renowned. It is also near the Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas. Mendoza is the capital of the province of Mendoza.

[edit] Get In

The bus terminal is about two kilometers from the city center. Taxis and remis (private taxis) are readily available (US$ 2-3 to the center).

There are daily bus connections to all major destinations including Bariloche and Santiago de Chile, a beautiful 8-hour bus ride crossing the Andes. Santiago de Chile is not always reachable by bus as the Andes pass closes after the first heavy snowfall in the winter months, normally around late April. (Check the following website for pass conditions [1] (Spanish).

Mendoza has a small airport, El Plumerillo (airport code MDZ), with flights to Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile, but tickets are very expensive as compared to bus fares.

Mendoza is a travel hub of sorts for Argentina, with connections to nearly every major city in the country.

Bus travel times to/from Mendoza:

Buses from Buenos Aires: Micros de Retiro [2].

In the winter, the mountain passes to Chile can be closed if weather is bad.

[edit] Climate

Summers are extremely hot and dry in the city. January is particularly hot; temperatures of 40C (104 F) are not uncommon. The nearby mountains are cool, though, even in the summer.

Winters are moderately cold in the city and very cold in the mountains. Many ski centers are located near Mendoza.

[edit] Information

Although it is situated in an extremely dry desert region, Mendoza has an extensive artificial irrigation system, which allows for greenery throughout the city as well as the growth of the grapes used to make its famous wines. Most streets have irrigation channels on either side, with bridges for pedestrian and vehicular traffic. These are periodically flooded with water diverted from the river.

A useful tourist kiosk is located at Garibaldi y San Martín. It is open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m., and English is spoken. They can provide information on many specific aspects of the city.

Siesta (afternoon nap) is still taken in Mendoza. Most businesses close from approximately 1 PM until 4 PM, then re-open until about 9 PM.

[edit][add listing] See

  • Parque San Martín. This huge park is nice for walking or biking around. From Cerro de la Gloria there is a nice view over the city. There is also a zoo with animals in small cages.
  • Many bodegas (wineries) offer tours. Wine-tasting events are common; check the culture section of local newspapers or ask around. A good period to visit is during harvesting in March and April. Visiting wineries often requires reservations booked in advance, (Many are closed during weekends). Some major wineries (Norton, Rutini etc.) have regular "walk in tours".
  • Festivals occur often and are usually free. Each has a different theme, and they usually have a stage with singing and dancing and booths that sell food around a plaza. The harvest festival at the end of February is a major event.
  • Plaza Independencia. The central main square of the city is the best starting point to explore downtown Mendoza. It boasts some nice buildings around, restaurants and even some street shows. It is best visited at night, where you can see some nicely illuminated buildings and mostly, a beautiful big coat of arms of the city that is made of lights.  edit
  • Plaza España. Possibly the most beautiful square in the city, this square is an artistic expression of the special relationship that this city (and all others in Hispanic America) has with Spain. It is decorated in a splendid way with typical Andalusian and Spanish motifs all around the place. The central wall depicts some images and texts of the Spanish colonization and it is crowned by a gorgeous statue.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

  • Campo Base Travel and Adventure, Peatonal Sarmiento 229, Mendoza City, ☎ +54 261 425 5511 (), [3]. Trekking-Rafting-Horseriding-Paragliding-Mountainbike-Aconcagua Trekking and Expeditions-High Andes tour-Wine tasting tours.  edit
  • Termas de Cacheuta (Spas of Cacheuta), 2624 490 139, [5]. Cacheuta, located about an hour outside of Mendoza, has a very large network of natural hot-tubs [6]. During high season and weekends, you will pay AR$20 for entrance, and during low season the price is closer to AR$15. For easy transportation, inquire regarding Cacheuta at the Bus Terminal; busses depart mendoza in the morning (before noon) and return in the evening (last bus departs Cacheuta at 6:50pm). You will pay AR$4 for each way, and it is recommended that you purchase both directions before departing. If you're in for the full day adventure, consider bringing some food to cook on their plentiful and free grills.  edit
  • Karamelo Santo (Mestizo rock band), [7]. Karamelo Santo is the most famous band in Mendoza.They play a mix music with cunbia, rock, salsa & originalfolk music. You can see them play in the mail festivals of Europe like Roskilde, Hurricane, Gurtenfestical, Southside Festival, Viñas Rock, Rock For People,ect.  edit
  • Aconcagua - America's highest peak Aconcagua (highest in the world outside the Himalayas) provides trekking and climbing possibilities.
  • Wine tour - The nearby vineyards will let you taste wine if you show genuine interest. It's possible to do a tour by bike, but there are also fully organised tours going from Mendoza. The most popular destination for biking and wine tasting is Maipu, a short bus or cab ride out of Mendoza. Many outfits rent bikes and provide a map of the standard route. Do yourself a favor and choose your bike company carefully. For example, Mr. Hugo has well maintained bikes, but Bikes and Wines had terrible old clunkers and there is no better wat to spoil your day than to battle with an awful bike. There are several excellent wineries on the typical route, including Tempus Alba, Viña El Cérno, Familia Di Tommaso, and Carinae. As an alternative, Bachhus Wines runs bike tours out of Chacras and will rent bikes for about $40, provide a map and call ahead to several vineyards.
  • Paragliding can be done in Mendoza every day of the year. Tours include a tandem flight of about 20 minutes with an experienced pilot. Costs are about 35 US$.
  • Many companies organize trekking expeditions, horseback riding, and whitewater rafting in the desert and mountains.
  • Mountain cabins in areas with spectacular scenery are easily rentable in the city. Check the classified ads in the newspaper.
  • Skiing is popular in the winter.

[edit][add listing] Buy

  • The wine is excellent and extremely inexpensive. There are several wine boutiques which offer wine tasting. In general, you can buy the same bottles of wine at local supermarkets at lower prices.
  • Clothing tends to be fashionable and cheap for those paying in US dollars or Euros.
  • Electronics are imported and thus expensive.
  • Many unique home decor items are available at good prices.
  • Leather goods are also readily available and inexpensive. There are many shops on Las Heras Av.
  • Andes and More, [8]. For expeditions up Aconcagua with a local guide who has been working on the mountain for 16 years.  edit
  • Monkey Hostel, Sarmiento 681, ☎ 4231148. Has a pool. 35.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

Good restaurants abound. Try world-famous Argentinian beef asado (roasted) from a parrilla (grill) restaurant, with a bottle of Mendoza's excellent wine. Mendoza's most famous varieties are the Malbecs from Maipú and Luján de Cuyo. Other good options are Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots.

  • The Green Apple, Avenida Colón 458. A good vegetarian all-you-can-eat buffet.
  • La Casa de Ofelia, +54-0261-4990159, lacasadeofelia@gmail.com, [9]. Located in the peaceful valley of Lunlunta, this house is a perfect stop while you're visiting wineries and vineyards. Meals are prepared with traditional recipes and served personally by the house's owners. You can get the best specialties calling some days earlier to make a reservation.
  • 1884, Belgrano 1188 in the Godoy Cruz neighborhood. One of Francis Mallman's famous restaurants. The food is expensive but excellent and focuses on local meat and produce.

Tenedor Libres: (literally, free fork) Mendoza has many good buffets that serve reasonably priced lunches and dinners. Most offer 5-10 meat dishes freshly cooked on a giant grill and a variety of side dishes and desserts. The quality of the food can be quite good and it's an excellent way to try a selection of Argentine food.

  • Onda Libre Av. General Las Heras 446

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

  • Cuyum Mapu Hostel http://cuyummapu-mendoza.minihostels.com Av San Martín 2348, Mendoza. Located right in the center of the city, just seven blocks from the downtown area +54 261 4201147 $10/person/night A cozy, friendly hostel with big rooms, hot water 24/7, and a huge beautiful garden with bbq and pool in an old mansion. It's close to downtown, but on a shady pedestrian street so there is no traffic noise. The staff is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable, and they can arrange tours all over Mendoza for you. If you are a Minihostels.com member, you get a 10% discount each night!
  • Hostel Lagares http://www.mendoza-hostels.com Corrientes 213 Downtown Mendoza; ten minutes from the bus station and 2 blocks from Ave. San Martin +54-261-4234727 $7.80-$18.20 A very friendly, welcoming hostel with big, bright rooms, each with a full bathroom, thick mattresses, daily cleaning service, lockers, wifi, breakfast, and large common rooms stocked with fun things to do. The owners run it and are full of knowledge about the area and happy to answer any questions. Very close to all the downtown restaurants, bars, clubs, shopping, and more. Minihostels.com members get 10% off per night.

[edit] Middle Range

  • Campo Base, Av. Mitre 946, ☎ (54-261) 429-0707 (), [10]. A hostel with discounts for HI-members. Its definitely a party hostel. Well located, near Plaza Independencia. Excellent atmosphere for backpackers. Tourist information also available.  edit
  • Hostel Internacional Mendoza, Av. Espana 343, ☎ 0261-4240018 (), [11]. A comfortable hostel, with excellent facilities, four beds rooms with private bathroom, excellent price. Also with great options for tours, including wine tours, horseback riding, rafting and excursions into the mountains. Expect to pay between AR$35 and AR$45 per night.  edit
  • Hostel Mendoza Inn, Aristides Villanueva 470, ☎ (0261)4380818 (), [12]. checkin: 12:00; checkout: 10:00. Ideal location on the pubs and bars street if you are looking for nightlife. Located in a beautiful house with large open spaces, couches and big garden with swimming pool and hammocks for you to chill out. Spaceful and equipped kitchen for guests and a bar to buy beer and wine. Bedrooms are comfortable. The beds have new thick mattresses and lockers. Friendly and helpful staff that can recommend you lots of activities to do in Mendoza. 35-43.  edit
  • Break Point Hostel, Av Aristides Villanueva 241, ☎ 0261-4239514 (), [13]. Excellent Resto Bar, comfortable rooms, swimming pool, breakfast & friendly atmosphere.  edit
  • Damajuana, Av Arítides Villanueva 282, ☎ 0261-425858 (), [14]. Bit of a party hostel. With swimming pool and breakfast. Guests are put into small 6-bed dorms, while the cheaper 12-bed dorm remains mysteriously half-empty. Some staff a little interfering at times. Ar$50 to stay in a six bed dorm during the high season, and AR$0 during the low season.  edit
  • Hostel Lao, Rioja 771, ☎ 0261 438-0454 (), [15]. Rated very highly on hostel booking sites. Friendly, sociable and relaxed hostel. Attractive garden and pool. Runs weekly wine tasting events. AR$40 per night dorm, private accomodation also available.  edit
  • Alamo Hostel, Necochea 740, ☎ 0261 429-5565 (), [16]. Less of a party hostel than the hostels located on Av Aristides. Located just off Plaza Chile, and _very_ close to a large supermarket, you can expect to pay around AR$45 or AR$50 pesos per night.  edit
  • Microtel Inn & Suites, Corrientes 213, ☎ 011(54261) 432-0503 (), [18]. Enjoy consistency, quality, reasonable prices and great service each time you stay with Microtel Inns & Suites.  edit
  • Hostel Chimbas, Acc. Este y Cobos 92, (). Beautiful hostel, charming owners. Approx. Ar$18. There is access to a pool, BBQ, brick oven, bike rental, and extensive excursion information.  edit
  • Hostel Parque Central, 25 de Mayo 1889, ☎ +54-261-4251535, [20]. checkin: 12; checkout: 11. Located around 8 blocks from Plaza Independencia, is a decent point for exploring downtown Mendoza. Its staff is very friendly and helpful. They offer excursions and complete information what to do in the city. Breakfast and lockers are included. 10 to 36 U$D.  edit

[edit] Splurge

  • Club Tapiz, Lujan de Cuyo (in the centre of Mendoza), ☎ (54 11) 4005-0050 (), [21]. Kiwi Collection recommended boutique hotel in the outskirts of Mendoza.  edit
  • Park Hyatt Mendoza, Hotel Casino & Spa, Chile 1124 (in Plaza de la Independencia), ☎ +54 261 441 1234 (), [22]. The hotel offers spacious rooms and suites featuring wireless internet access, turndown service, marble bath and executive bar. Facilities include Regency Casino Mendoza, Kaua Club & Spa, an outdoor heated pool and garden sun deck.  edit
  • Sheraton Mendoza Hotel, Primitivo de la Reta 989, +54 261 4415500, 5 star hotel.
  • Cavas Wine Lodge, ☎ 54 261 410 6927 / 28, [23]. One of the nicest, if not the nicest lodge in the area. Outside of town, quiet. 5 star.  edit

[edit] Get out

[edit] Stay safe

Be wary of a dutch tourist asking you for help because he just got robbed: he's a fraud! He usually goes by the name of Kevin van Galen, but sometimes he uses slight variations. His usual story is that he just got robbed in the bus terminal, and that he hasn't got the money to travel to Santiago/Buenos Aires to go to his embassy/catch his flight. He won't ask you for money directly but his impressive acting skills will more than likely convince you to help him out. He has blond messy hair, has a bulky build and must be between 35 and 40 years old. More information can be found here [24] (in Dutch). Want to be a real hero? Take a picture of him and post it here.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!
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