Daytours4u's travel guide has all the information you need to know if you're travelling to Mendoza, in the heart of Argentina's wine country. General information, where to go, what to see, weather and Mendoza's highlights and top activities.

 

Today, Mendoza is synonymous with high quality wines at the international level / Photo: Gfed

MENDOZA GENERAL INFO

Mendoza city is located in the western region of Argentina, nestled into the side of the eastern Andes and right in the centre of the Cuyo desert. It is the capital city of the Province of Mendoza, an area that was once known as "Tierra de Arena" (Land of Sand) during the Inca Empire. Today, Mendoza's name is synonymous with wine. It is responsible for over 70% of Argentina's entire wine production and is the 5th largest wine producing area in the world. Mendoza has been classified as one of the Great Wine Capitals of the world by the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, alongside other distinguished areas such as Bordeaux in France and Napa Valley in California.

The wine region in Mendoza has become a hugely attractive destination for both foreign and national tourists, as the beautiful landscapes near the Chilean border create a perfect mixture between cultures, spectacular nature and wines. In spite of being situated in a desert, the agricultural farms of Mendoza are surrounded by unique green landscapes with uninterrupted views of the Andean mountains. The Andes incidentally supply much of the water through a series of irrigation channels to both Mendoza city and the Mendoza wine region, creating a kind of oasis, hugely benefiting the growth of exceptional wine grapes and olives.

 

 

MENDOZA CITY HIGHLIGHTS

Mendoza city in itself is also a superb travel destination. With a population of approximately 110,000 Mendocinos (residents of Mendoza), it is a lively, cosmopolitan urban centre that often hosts international conventions as well as being a popular base for foreigners who want to study Spanish abroad. It is easy to be captivated by the laid back pace of the city, to sit back and enjoy one glass of fantastic wine after another but there are many other activities to do. You can certainly make a start by taking a Mendoza city tour that will give you a taste of the beautiful Mendocinean architecture and the city’s main cultural landmarks.

 

The Mendoza Wine Route

The rural regions outside Mendoza city are often referred to as the Wine Route or Camino del Vino, a trail that follows the most important vineyards and wineries in the Province of Cuyo. The most prestigious production areas in the Mendoza region are Lujan de Cuyo; Maipu; San Rafael; San Martin and Valle de Uco, all of which have an abundance of accommodation options for those wanting to be surrounded by peaceful vineyards during their stay in Mendoza.

It is also possible to rent a bicycle or book a popular Vineyards Bike Tour to these surrounding wineries, which are usually open daily but some of them may need an appointment booked in advance. The Mendoza wineries cater for all budgets; a wine tasting tour will normally include samples of 3 different types of wines as well as a guided tour of the winery with an explanation about the wine making process. From small wine boutiques to big wine producers, a visit to the wine region will allow you to delve into the world of Argentine wine culture. Some of the more traditional wineries are Bodegas LopezBodega NortonBodegas Trapiche and Bodega La Rural with its fascinating Wine Museum. However, if you prefer exclusive labels you can also visit distinguished vineyards such as Vina Cobos and Alamos Wines.

Of course there are a series of wine tours to choose from: There’s a tour that specializes in Malbec wineries, exclusive private full-day or half-day tours that take you into the high altitudes of Mendoza, to the spectacular regions of Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu.

 

To visit Mendoza is not to miss one of the most representative mountains of the Andes: Aconcagua / Photo: Gfed

 

Mendoza and its natural surroundings

Nature lovers can discover plenty of other outdoor activities on the outskirts of Mendoza. Mendoza is about so much more than just wine! Mendoza's diverse landscapes are shaped by the mammoth Andes Mountain range, which are home to the Alta Montana and Aconcagua, South Americas' highest peak and a favourite mountain tour circuit for mountain climbers from all over the world. Other wonderfully relaxing and historical excursions include the spa resort of Villavicencio, also located in the Andes, or the rocky ravine at Atuel Canyon and River. The Atuel Canyon and River is an area of incomparable natural beauty with nearby Dams and Reservoirs that offer the perfect opportunity to fish, hike, relax and try out some water sports.

 

Mendoza’s Wine Harvest

If you are lucky enough to be in Mendoza from late February to early March you'll be able to join in with Mendoza's traditional, annual festival, "Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia" (The Grape Harvest Festival). Proud Mendocinos from all around the province crowd on to Avenida San Martin in Mendoza city to watch Argentina’s largest traditional festival. The parade consists of individual floats passing by, carrying with them performers dressed in beautiful costumes specifically designed, celebrating the wine making tradition.

The wonderfully unique Mendoza Wine Harvest Festival, which has been known to attract 200,000 spectators (and many of them wine-lovers!), opens with the blessing of the grapes on the last Sunday of February. Followed by the Via Blanca de las Reinas, Carrusel Vendimial and the Central Act. Each of these celebrations feature fantastic shows with hundreds of performers, folkloric singers and energetic dancers, as well as the prettiest girls from each of the 18 departments of Mendoza parading through the streets in the hope of being crowned the "Reina Nacional de la Vendimia" (National Beauty Queen of the Harvest).

The week long Mendoza Vendimia celebrations are completed with a fabulous firework display and with many cultural activities such as classic music recitals, films and theatre suitable for all ages. The merriness and liveliness of the cultural Mendoza wine festival is the perfect opportunity to get to know the province of Mendoza, all it's people and all the wine!

 

To get to Mendoza do not forget to hire the best transfer service with Daytours4u / Photo: EAQ

 

HOW TO GET TO MENDOZA

By bus

From Buenos Aires the bus will take approximately 12 hours in comfortable coaches that range from standard to sleepers. Meals and drinks are served on board, all have toilets and films are also shown during the trip. Several bus companies cover this route daily: Andesmar, CATA Internacional and Nueva Chevallier.

Please Note: It is recommended to buy your departing bus tickets at the terminal at least a few days before you leave, especially during the high seasons - December to March, July mid-winter break, holidays and festivals - when the buses are especially busy. You can visit the Plataforma 10 website to check bus rates and timetables.

 

By Plane

Mendoza is located 1050km west of Buenos Aires which is approximately a 1 hour non-stop flight. Two airlines fly this route daily: Aerolineas ArgentinasandLAN Argentina.

Mendoza can also be reached from Santiago de Chile and is located only 400km from the Chilean capital! This route, named Paso Los Libertadores (Liberator's Path) is great for driving if you are renting a car, from Mendoza to Chile or vice versa, and offers spectacular views of the Andes.

Arriving at Mendoza International Airport? Book a reliable and convenient airport transfer service from Mendoza Gaberelli F.J International Airport (MDZ), to your hotel in Mendoza.

 

 

WEATHER IN MENDOZA

The weather in Mendoza is very mild and dry, with more rainfall in the summer months; however the annual rainfall is minimal, at only 223 mm.

Summer in Mendoza: The summer runs from November to March with temperatures during the daytime reaching, 32°C and falling to a mild 18°C at night.

Winter in Mendoza: June to August marks the winter months with average temperatures of 14.7°C during the day and 2.4°C at night. Snow is common between May and September, making it a popular location for winter sports.

 

In any season of the year you can enjoy the best variety of wines in Mendoza / Photo: Edsel Querini

 

MENDOZA USEFUL TIPS

Mendoza has an abundance of accommodation to suit every budget. There are a variety of upmarket hotels, boutique hotels and hostels in Mendoza. For March's Fiesta Vendimia, it is highly recommended to make reservations at least 1 month in advance.

Central Mendoza is relatively compact, therefore walking everywhere is not a problem. For example it is a 20-30 minute walk from Plaza Independencia to Parque San Martin. The Vineyards of Mendoza are roughly 10km away but some of them are easily reached by public transportation, particularly if you go to the urban areas of the Maipu wine route.

Renting a car is relatively affordable in Mendoza, even more so if you are a group of 4-5 people. However, it is recommended to book it from Buenos Aires, especially if you would like to collect the car from Mendoza airport. There are an array of amazing scenic routes along the Caminos del Vino which you can drive along and explore by yourself as well as crossing the Andean frontier to the Chilean side. By renting a car you can also enjoy more of the scenic lodging options in the rural areas.

You can hire bicycles in Mendoza city and in many hotels and lodging places within the wine circuit. Most hostels can put you in touch with a bicycle hire company. Just make sure you are careful whilst driving on the road, especially after enjoying a couple of glasses of wine in any of the surrounding wineries. If you are unsure about setting off on your own, there are a variety of Mendoza cycling wine tours, with a professional guide/wine expert who takes you around the local wineries.

To discover more trips and activities in and around Mendoza, browse our extensive catalogue of Mendoza tours.

 

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By: Daytours4u Team Content.