At the eastern tip of Lacár Lake, the small city of San Martín de los Andes is swaddled in snowy Andean peaks and dense forests. There’s no escaping the outdoors here: Mountain hikes, bike rides, and boat cruises are the most popular things to do in San Martín de los Andes. Once you’ve explored the wilderness trails in Lanín National Park and hit the ski slopes (depending on the season), take a road trip along the spectacular Route of the Seven Lakes that curls through the heart of Patagonia’s Lake District.
The summer months of December through February draw huge crowds of holidaymakers to the Lake District, but San Martín de los Andes is generally a quieter hub than nearby Bariloche. October through April is the best season for hiking and outdoor activities, with warm, dry weather and a kaleidoscope of colors sweeping the forested landscapes in fall. In winter, mountaineering is best left to the professionals, but you can hit the ski slopes at Chapelco ski resort from June through September.
It’s easy to get around on foot in San Martín de los Andes—the bus station is right by the waterfront, and you can walk across the town center in just 20 minutes. Public buses will only take you so far, and you’ll need a car to reach the surrounding lakes and trailheads. You can still get by without having your own transport—rent a mountain bike or kayak, hop on a boat cruise, or join one of the many tours.
San Martín’s quirkiest attraction is La Pastera, Museo del Che, a small museum dedicated to Argentine icon Che Guevara, who stayed there in 1952. Housed in a converted barn, you can even see the bale of hay where Che (allegedly) slept, a moment he wrote about in his book The Motorcycle Diaries. Afterward, head to the nearby Mamuschka, a branch of the popular Bariloche chocolatier, where you’ll find the town’s best gelato. Unsurprisingly, the chocolate flavor is a favorite.
