Amazing Things to do in San Martin de los Andes, Argentina

Hi all! San Martin is a beautiful town in the Patagonia region of Argentina. Located right on Lake Lacár, as well as at the base of the ski mountain Cerro Chapleco, there is a ton to do year round. In this post you will find the best things to do in San Martin de los Andes!

Sound good?

Keep reading for all of the information you need when planning a trip to the beautiful town of San Martin – summer edition!

Overview: Things to do in San Martin de los Andes

San Martin is a quaint town located near Lanin National Park in Patagonia, Argentina. Additionally, from San Martin, visitors can travel to the border with Chile in about 1.5 hours.

If you enjoy outdoor activities, San Martin is a great place for you. In the winter travelers can enjoy skiing at at Cerro Chapleco, and in the summer there are numerous beaches, hiking trails, fishing and National Park adventures to check out.

San Martin feels very much like a little European town.There are many Swiss influences, such as the wooden architecture, and you’ll also find a plethora of delicious chocolate shops.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, San Martin de los Andes is super safe.

Visit the Artisan Market in Plaza San Martín

Located in the main park, Plaza San Martín, you’ll find an artisan market with tons of crafts, jewelry and wooden items.

This is a fantastic place to visit and to wander around looking at all of the beautiful handmade items. If you’re looking for souvenirs or gifts to bring back home, you’ll definitely find them at the artisan market.

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Check out the Chocolate Shops

San Martin is known for its amazing chocolate and chocolate shops.

There is no shortage of chocolate in San Martin, and during your visit I highly recommend visiting a bunch of the chocolate shops.

Two of my favorites are Riche Patagonia and Mamuschka.

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Go to the Beach

On the edge of San Martin you’ll find the Playa de San Martín de los Andes (San Martin Beach), located on Lake Lacár.

Most hotels and lodges are walking distance to this beach, and it is a nice place to go to spend the day and have a picnic.

The water is a little chilly in all of the lakes near San Martin, but if it’s warm out you’ll definitely be able to take a swim!

This beach is great as it is located near the town center, and is therefore close to restaurants and restrooms. There are also many food trucks and carts that are set up near the beach, so you definitely won’t go hungry!

San Martin beach is a great spot to visit for a quick beach outing, or if you don’t want to drive to other beaches in the area that are a little further away. Keep in mind that during the summer this beach, like most others, will likely be pretty crowded.

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Visit Quila Quina Beach

If you’re willing to drive, about 40 minutes from San Martin, I highly recommend visiting Quila Quina Beach, also located on Lake Lacár. The drive is partly on a dirt road, but it’s very scenic.

If you prefer not to drive, there is also a ferry that leaves from San Martin and brings you directly to Quila Quina Beach. Taking a ferry offers less flexibility for your plans, but is still a great option.

At Quila Quina Beach you will find both a restaurant with wifi as well as a small shop with snacks and drinks. There is also a small artisan market where you can buy local crafts. Additionally, you can rent chairs and umbrellas to keep you out of the sun, and there are also kayaks, canoes and paddle boards for rent by the hour!

Overall, there are more than enough activities to fill up an entire day at Quila Quina Beach, and I highly recommend making the trip.

Note: There is a small fee to enter Quila Quina Beach, as it is on Mapuche property. The fee goes directly to the Mapuche community!

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Visit Lago Hermoso Beach + Go Fishing

Lago Hermoso is about 30 minutes away from San Martin by car, again on dirt roads. This is a great beach to visit if you’re looking for a more relaxed, rural option.

Once you arrive at the beach there aren’t any bathrooms or restaurants, so be sure to bring all of the food, snacks, water and sunscreen that you’ll need.

This beach, like most of the others in the area, is pretty rocky, so be sure to bring flip flops. Finally, this lake is great for fishing, so if you like to fish definitely check it out!

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Go Horseback Riding

San Martin de los Andes is a beautiful spot to go horseback riding. The landscapes and scenery are breathtaking and horseback riding through the mountains is so much fun.

There are many options for horseback riding tours in the area:

• Corbett Rides
• Tangol Tours Horseback Riding
• Cabalgatas Karvwe – contact via Facebook for reservations

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Go White Water Rafting

I love white water rafting, and while I wasn’t able to go during my time in San Martin, it’s definitely on the list for my next trip.

For this adventure you’ll head out on a raft down the Chimehuín River, looking out for wildlife along the way.

Take a Day Trip to Lanin National Park

San Martin is located close by to Lanin National Park, and it is definitely worth a visit.

If you’re into camping and fishing, I recommend sending a few nights in the park, but if you’d prefer to visit just for the day, that’s also an option!

While exploring the park on your own is definitely possible, you can also take a guided tour where you’ll learn about the history of the area. Personally, I enjoy guided tours that allow me to visit multiple sights in one day, while also learning more about each location.

Check out the Lupins

In the summer, San Martin is filled with beautiful lupins, and as you drive through the mountains you’ll see thousands of them growing on the sides of the road!

Once you’ve spent a few days in San Martin, I recommend driving to the town of Bariloche (3 hours) along the Road of the Seven Lakes. This scenic drive is beautiful, and you’ll see tons of beautiful lupins, lakes and forests along the way!

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Tips for Visiting San Martin de los Andes

• Rent a car
  • The town itself is very walkable, but you’ll need a car to visit the beaches, to drive to Lanin National Park, and to get to/from the airport
• Exchange money at non-official change sites – more information here
• Visit the nearby beaches for day trips
• Drive the Seven Lakes Road and spend a few days in Bariloche

Restaurant Recommendations in San Martin

You will find no shortage of delicious restaurants in San Martin. Throughout the town you’ll find a wide selection of different cuisines to choose from all throughout the day.

• Almacén de Flores – an adorable cafe for breakfast or lunch
• Pan con Chocolate – a great place to grab pastries + coffee
• La Casona – a cozy restaurant for a great dinner
• Doña Quela – this restaurant has an old-world feeling and lovely antique decorations – they also have live piano music on select evenings
• El Caldero – a quick and delicious empanada spot with lots of veggie options, they also deliver!
• Mamuschka – one of the best chocolate shops ever, they have locations across Argentina
• Riche Patagonia – another great chocolate shop with great treats and coffee

Hotel Recommendations

When visiting San Martin de los Andes you’ll find lovely hotels to stay in. Many of the hotels feature Swiss wooden architecture and you’ll also find numerous lodges and cabins.

• Hotel Antiguos
• Latitud Cuarenta
• Patagonia Plaza Hotel 
• Cabañas Woodland (great for families)

In Conclusion

So there you have it! I hope you found guide for fun things to do in San Martin de los Andes to be helpful.

Summer is a fantastic time to visit San Martin. The beaches, fishing, hiking and places to explore really make San Martin de los Andes the ideal vacation destination.

If you have any questions, or any recommendations to add, let me know in the comments!

Lastly, I appreciate you sharing this post with someone you know who needs a trip to San Martin!

pin me!

♡Kate

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