Mendoza Travel Guide

Various indigenous groups occupied Mendoza before the Spanish arrived. The Incas, the Puelches, and most notably the Huarpes, a peaceful tribe who developed a sophisticated system of irrigation and agriculture. The city was first colonized by Chile in 1561 and was named Mendoza by Pedro del Castillo. At first the Spaniards had difficulty continuing agricultural traditions of the natives. With the introduction of vineyards and olive groves, however, it soon became commercially possible to farm here. With trade the region flourished, the boon was also supported by slave labor and rerouting of rivers for irrigation.

After becoming governor of the newly created Cuyo state, the famous Argentinean José de San Martin formed an army that would lead to success in both the Chilean and Peruvian wars of independence against Spain.

An earthquake and fire all but destroyed Mendoza in 1861. Much of the modern city consists of low buildings and wide streets, in order to avoid future disasters. The new urban design in combination with the introduction of the railroad made the city the economic center for the region.

There is a bus terminal on the corner of Av R Videla and Acceso Este, Guaymallén where several services operate. Mendoza is a 13 hours bus ride from Buenos Aires and about 6 to 7 hours from Santiago, Chile. In addition to Santiago, there are a number of other international routes include Lima, Peru (60-70 hours) and Montevideo, Uruguay (22 hours) along with a few other destinations in Brazil.

Mendoza is also served by an international airport, located a short distance from the city. The two principal carriers are Aerolíneas Argentinas/Austral who have several daily flights from Buenos Aires (less than 2 hours) and LAN Chile who operate flights twice daily to Santiago, Chile (less than 1 hour).

Once in Mendoza you can choose to rent a car, take taxis or motorcycle taxis, rent a bike, or use local buses. The local buses cost around AR$1.10 and require a magnetic Mendobus card which can be bought at most kiosks in small denominations.

Accommodations in Mendoza range from luxurious, world-famous hotels to three-star comfortable but elegant establishments. Here are some excellent recommendations:

5-star: Hotel Sheraton Mendoza, Hotel Park Hyatt Mendoza

4-star: Huentala Boutique Hotel, Executive Hotel Park Suites, Hotel Aconcagua

3-star: Villaggio Hotel Boutique, Hotel Argentino, Urbana Class

Wineries: Cavas Wine Lodge, Finca Adalgisa Boutique Hotel & Winery, Club Tapiz, Lares de Chacras Casona Rural

All across Argentina and much of the world, the name Mendoza is synonymous with wine. With more than a thousand wineries, Mendoza has become a hot destination in South America. Some say it is reminiscent of Napa Valley twenty years ago, but as New York Times writer, Ann Marie Gardner, puts it, "Why go to the Napa Valley when you can drink more exotic and affordable wines, and go horseback riding across the magnificent Andes Mountains with sexy Latin meat eaters?" Aside from that, what sets Mendoza apart from their counterparts in Napa, Bordeaux, and Tuscany is that most Argentine vineyards are willing to share recipe and techniques with visitors. Most Mendoza wine tours are free and include a sample tasting but require reservations which will allow you to get up close and personal with barrels, equipment, and grapes.

March harvest, when the region turns into a weeklong party, is an ideal time to visit. There are also festivals like the Wine Fair, when big-name chefs from all over the world take over the kitchens of big-name vineyards. With that said, anytime you take a trip to Mendoza, the wine will be flowing and it is bound to be full of excitement. So take a few bottles down, take a few bottles home, or just have a glass with dinner.

Mendoza, as everywhere in Argentina, has a rich and varied culinary tradition. Below are just a few of the local specialities.

Asado - cooked on the barbeque

Asado de tira or tira de asado - barbequed spare ribs.

Bife de chorizo - the prime steak cut, meatiest slice with the lowest fat proportion

Bife de lomo - tenderloin or filet steak.

Cantimpalo - a peppery sausage used in pizzas, empanadas, soups and stews.

Choripan - Chorizo (Sausage) and pan (bread), quite simply put a sausage sandwich, sold by street vendors, at football matches and at festivals.

Chimichurri - A most delicious Argentine sauce, usually blending together olive oil, wine vinegar, garlic, parsley, roasted capsicum: an ideal compliment to succulent Argentine meat.

Dulce de leche - a rich and creamy caramel-like spread used in Argentinean desserts, most famously the alfajor, which sandwiches dulce de leche between two soft biscuits.

Empanadas - pastries filled with a meat and veggie mix, very similar to Cornish pasties. Popular varieties are carne (beef), pollo (chicken).

Escabeche - a popular condiment made with olive oil, wine vinegar and herbs.

Fiambres - pre cooked cuts of meat served cold.

Locro - soup or stew dish served with hominy, often made with a mix of various ingredients, including vegetables, sausage and cow intestine, topped with scallions and garnished with paprika, cumin, and chilli pepper.

Medialunas - semi circular, or "Half-moon" pastries. Popular at breakfast with a fresh coffee.

Parilla - a barbeque or steakhouse.

Mendoza is a laid-back city that is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. There are many green parks and plazas, perfect for walking, relaxing, and enjoying the atmosphere. There are a variety of cultural events throughout the year meaning that there will always be something keeping you busy during your Argentina vacation.

Attractions: Plaza Independencia, Parque General San Martin, Malvinas Argentinas football stadium, ampitheathre, The Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Cerro de la Gloria, San Francisco church, Plaza Espana.

Museums: Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno, Museo de Ciencias Naturales, Museo del Pasado Cuyano, Museo del Area Funcional

Outdoor Activities: Las Lenas ski resort, Los Penitentes ski resort, mountain climbing, trekking, river rafting, and wind sailing.

Shopping: Outdoor markets on Plaza Independencia, Plaza Espana, Calle Mitre, Plaza Pellegrini. Shopping on San Martin pedestrian street, Palmares open mall, Calle Arístides, Las Vinas, Los Andes.

It is best to drink bottled water while traveling in Mendoza, as with anywhere throughout South America, to prevent contracting any harmful parasites or water-borne illnesses. If no bottled water is available, travel with purification tablets or boil water for 15 minutes.

Mendoza is considered a safe city with good police presence. However, travelers should still be aware and on guard. Watch over your possessions to avoid being the target of pick pocketing or bag snatching.

For travelers who rent a car, take care to plan out a good route before setting off. When driving at night, stick to well-lit and populated streets and never stop in a darkened area.