Argentina Tours: Mendoza

Mendoza is Argentina´s fourth largest city and is famous for its wine and adventure activities in close proximity. The city was founded in 1561, named after the then Governor of Chile García Hurtago de Mendoza when Latin America was still under colonial Spanish rule.

The city´s prosperity and population increased over time increasing most from 1788 at the time local rivers were irrigated in to provide the city with a steady supply of fresh water, creating a green oasis in the desert landscape of the Andes.

The city was struck by a serve earthquake is 1861 which destroyed many of the buildings in Mendoza. During the city’s reconstruction a better city plan was devised, organizing the centre of the city around a block structure with a grand plaza in the centre – Plaza Independencia.

From here you can see the extent of the water irrigation that has given Mendoza its green appeal as the plaza has a huge fountain in the centre. The square is also surrounded by wide viaducts or stone ditches for water at each side. These viaducts then flow outwards from the Plaza to other squares located diagonally outward from the central plaza to other plaza and eventually to rivers in the mountains. This early form of irrigation is one of the main reasons for the city been so green, providing water to all the trees in the city. The surrounding plazas are worth a visit as each has its own theme with some very interesting art work.

Mendoza, like many towns and cities in Argentina come alive in the evening, particularly in the Summer Months (December to February). Argentines tend to shop and socialize in the evening and eat late; a normal time for dinner is about 10pm, even later at weekends. Street markets open about 7pm during the summer in Plaza. Surrounding Plaza Independencia there are a number of fine restaurants and also on Av Sarmiento coming off the Plaza. Here you can find what Argentina is famous for; a great steak dinner and wine. 

On the opposite side of Plaza Independencia to Av Sarmiento, you find the pedestrian street of Paseo Sarmiento where you will find the commercial district of the city as well as a range of street cafes and Mendoza hotels.

Outside of centre you can go to Parque General San Martin, a grand park which is home to the zoo, football stadiums and is near to the university. You also can arrange to go on a number of excursions and adventure activities such as trekking, rafting, paragliding and skydiving at all at extremely competitive prices.

Mendoza is also the gateway to the Andes Mountains and is where permits are issued for the most serious of treks in the Andes. The city sits underneath the highest peak in the western hemisphere – Aconcagua - which stands at a staggering 22,835 ft/6,960 m.