Villavicencio Tour

Villavicencio is 50 km northwest of Mendoza city. The drive takes about 1.5 hours each way along the historic Provincial Route 52. The drive itself is part of the experience, especially the famous 365 caracoles (hairpin curves).

The Villavicencio road was built in 1925 with 365 curves, one for every day of the year, as a symbolic feat of Argentine engineering. It's one of the most iconic stretches of road in the country. Each curve is numbered and many have lookouts with spectacular views.

Yes. The Villavicencio Nature Reserve covers 70,000 hectares with protected wildlife: large herds of guanacos, red foxes, Andean condors (with luck), eagles, falcons and many other birds. Guanacos are the easiest to spot, often by the roadside or in groups on the slopes.

The historic hotel, famous for appearing on the label of Villavicencio mineral water, has been closed to overnight guests since 1980. But the area is open to the public as a visitor center and museum. You can walk around the exterior and the gardens and learn the history of the place.

Yes.The standard Villavicencio Tour (this one) covers the areas reachable by regular road: the Caracoles, the historic hotel and the main viewpoints. The Villavicencio 4×4 Tour goes into more remote parts of the reserve on unpaved tracks, with better wildlife sightings and more adventure. It costs more, but the experience goes deeper.

Yes, completely. The road is paved and in good condition, and experienced drivers travel it every day. That said, the 365 curves can make sensitive people dizzy, so we recommend taking motion-sickness medication beforehand if you know you get carsick. Speeds are low because of the terrain, which adds to safety.

Spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May) are the best seasons, with mild weather and lots of wildlife activity. In summer it can be hot along the road. In winter the reserve occasionally closes due to snow, especially in the higher areas. Ask us about current conditions.

Yes, it's a very popular combination. Since Villavicencio is a half day (morning), you can add a winery tour in the afternoon. We recommend arranging a combined package with us to make the most of your time and budget.

There's a visitor center with a café and light food options (sandwiches, snacks, drinks). It isn't a proper restaurant, but it's enough for an afternoon snack or a quick bite. If you want a full lunch, it's best to plan on having it in Mendoza after the tour.

The full tour lasts 5.5 hours. We leave Mendoza at 9 am, reach Villavicencio around 10:30 am, tour the reserve with stops at viewpoints and for wildlife spotting, and return to Mendoza around 2:30 pm. Your afternoon is free.