Mendoza

Mendoza

Dinner in Mendoza. Photo credit: Eldon Boone

Mendoza has a very small airport. You will likely fly in on Lan Chile from Santiago or Buenos Aires. (Note that US citizens who stay over in Santiago for a visit will be subject to a $100 visa fee, which is good for as long you hold your passport. This used to be payable only in cash, but I'm told now that credit cards are accepted.) This is no gangway at the Mendoza airport, and just one international arrival gate. From this beginning one might expect that Mendoza is very small city, but in fact it's the fourth largest city in Argentina and has 1 million residents.

Mendoza is really a great city, once you learn your way around. It has a very European feel, with many outdoor cafes, and with a decidedly southern European custom of the siesta. Don't expect to go to the store between 12 and 5. Unless it's a restaurant, it will probably be closed. People seem to eat dinner at 9 or 10. One night, walking back from a late dinner and bar stop at 2am, we saw people still eating dinner with their children in a mostly full restaurant. Maybe a four hour midday nap is a good idea! Just be careful on those late night trips back to your hotel - the city has a rather strange setup of deep open trenches bordering the sidewalks, which are for drainage. During Feruary 2006 summer thunderstorms drenched the city, filling the trenches with water and flooding some streets.

Dining

For US and European visitors, the exchange rate is currently (Feb, 2007) very favorable. A decent single hotel room can be found for $30-$40 per night. An excellent meal with wine can be had for $10. Visitors who drink wine and eat steak are in for a real treat since one of the more expensive bottles on the menu of a good restaurant is about $15, and you can get filet mignon for under $5. An outstanding multi-course wine and steak dinner can be had at "La Barra" at 1086 Belgrano, just south of the corner of Belgrano and Sarmiento. "Sr. Buque" at 777 Sarmiento is also excellent and a great value.

A good winery to visit outside Mendoza is Hacienda del Plata. Juan Guevera also does a wonderful winery meal at his place - call 0054-261 155172244.

Other Services

Mendoza has most any of the services you will need. You can rent plastic boots, crampons sleeping bags and most climbing equipment in town. Be aware that while natively produced goods are very reasonable, imported goods will likely be more expensive than the same purchase at home. Labor is very cheap, so services are also reasonable. After your trip, have a local laundry clean all your gear for a few dollars (there are many laundries, but one good one is at the corner of Necochea and 25 de Mayo or the "5aSec" inside the Carrefour store at Belgrano and Av. Las Heras). I even had my backpack cleaned by hand. If your backpack or duffel suffered in transit, there is a shoemaker at 333 Colon who can fix it for you. The "El Refugio" shops at 625 Las Herras and 285 Espejo have most of the equipment one may need, and on Las Herras there are many other climbing shops.

Shopping

Plaza Independencia has many street vendors, selling inexpensive local goods from pushcarts. There are booths selling jewlry, handicrafts and clothing. It's a great place to get gifts for your friends and family. Argentinians don't seem to bargain much, but occasionally will lower a price if you are buying a number of items, and if you ask for a deal. Many vendors and service people speak at least some English, although it's not as common as you might find in resort cities in Mexico, for example. A little Spanish can go a long way. People are very understanding about limited Spanish ability, as long as you make an effort.

Hotels

I've stayed at the Montanas Azulas, Hotel Nutibara and El Portal. Nutibara has good common areas including a pool, exercise room and pool table. El Portal has nicer rooms and a better breakfast. Montanas Azulas is the fanciest and most expensive of the three. As of 2007 all had computers connected to the Internet and wireless Internet for free. Note that room rates vary dramatically depending on whether you book through a web site, from the US, or locally. Local rate can be 1/2 of the advertised rate. Your guide company may be able to get you the best local rate.

Permits

You will also need to get your permit for climbing or trekking from the provincial park service in Mendoza. Read more about permit prices and procedures.

On leaving Mendoza, you'll travel via route 7 to the park.

Mendoza Map

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