Curator’s statement
When visiting Argentina, many travelers seek adventure and culture in Buenos Aires and tend to overlook visiting Mendoza. While on an adventure to Patagonia, we decided to make a stop in Mendoza to explore its quaint beauty and sip our way through this region well-known for its Malbec wine. Mendoza, Argentina is a wonderful place to take a little break on your vacation and spend a long weekend relaxing in the tree-lined streets and sipping on wine complemented by the Andes mountains.
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Things to do in Mendoza
Sipping wine in Uco Valley at Bodega Corazon del Sol
Cooking class with Mauricio. There are multiple cooking classes offered, but I will 100 percent attest that Asado Cooking class hosted by Mauricio is top-notch and cannot be missed! From beginning to end, this was one of my favorite experiences out of the entire trip. Mauricio is an amazing host and teacher with such a warm presence, lots of knowledge and experience to share. You can tell he loves to cook and host during this immersive cooking experience. What makes Mauricio’s cooking class so fun is how much work you actually get to do rather than sit as a spectator during a cooking demonstration. In addition to putting in the fun effort of preparing our delicious meal, we were served an endless rotation of homemade appetizers prepared by Mauricio. Of course, the wine was bountiful, and the conversation was so great! All of the meat, vegetables, and dessert knocked my socks off and I highly recommend this Asado Cooking Class to anyone in Mendoza!
Spend the afternoon at Termas Cacheuta. You can unwind and disconnect from everything with a relaxing afternoon or full day at Termas Cachueta. The Hotel & Spa welcomes travelers and locals to enjoy its fully equipped TermaSpa. There are more than 10 stone pools with different hydrotherapy treatments and is beautifully located next to the Mendoza River. Mud Therapy and the Grotto (natural vapor chamber) complement the program and make the TermaSpa Full Day experience a truly special experience. If you’re visiting for the day, you must set up transportation prior to arrival. The hotel and spa are a substantial distance from the main city center of Mendoza, so getting a rideshare from this location is not common. Also be mindful that there is a nearby water park (more family and kid-friendly) just down the road. These are different addresses, and require different types of passes and tickets you would need to purchase.
Ampora Wine tour in Uco Valley. Considered the new frontier of winemaking in Mendoza, Uco Valley has high-quality wines that are crafted by high-altitude wineries. You get to enjoy a scenic ride from Mendoza towards the Andes Mountains and visit beautiful boutique vineyards. Since this is a longer drive towards the mountain range, the Uco Valley tour includes three wineries. My absolute favorite winery was Corazon del Sol—I even bought a case that was shipped to my home in the United States.
City walking tour. Get a lay of the land with a city walking tour with a local guide. These are always a “go” for me when exploring a new city. Not only does this give you a geographic insight into your destination, but you also learn so much about the city from a local perspective. You can expect to learn about Argentina’s journey for independence and admire stunning historical buildings and vibrant plazas.
Stroll through Parque General San Martin. This is a massive urban park near the city center. You could spend an entire day here—it’s quite vast. Notable landmarks include the Fuente de los Continentes, Museo de Ciencias Naturales y Antropológicas Juan Cornelio Moyano, and Monument to the Army of the Andes. Depending on the day, you may find a local market taking place—perfect opportunity to buy local goods to bring home. I bought a beautiful cutting board crafted from local wine barrels.
Explore Aristedes neighborhood. Arístides Villanueva is a lively and notable street with many restaurants and bars, which makes this the perfect nightlife spot. My favorite restaurant on this street is Magnolia Restó.
Places to eat & drink in Mendoza
The entry way to Fuente y Fonda, a lovely establishment serving huge portions of delicious food
Breakfast
El Faro Bistro Mendoza: Serves global cuisine with lovely views of the entire city from up above.
Rama Negra Hogar de Café: Delicious coffee shop with open-face sandwiches.
Patio Lorenza: Coffee shop with food and a beautiful courtyard.
Lunch
Los Laureles: Family-run establishment serving an array of a menu like pasta, tomahawk, and lentil soup.
Mokka Coffee Store Mendoza: Super cute cafe serving coffee, sandwiches, and more. The place is very spacious, and service is great. Perfect spot if you need to work remotely.
Atípico Empanadas: Beyond delicious artisanal empanadas that worth going there at odd hours of the day.
Dinner
Fuente y Fonda. This may be my favorite restaurant in all of Mendoza. In an intimate setting with mouth-watering home-cooked style meals, this is a place you will want to take your time and enjoy every last morsel. Portions are huge, and yes, you’ll want to share everything.
Magnolia Restó. This multilevel establishment serves inventive and exquisite food that is prepared with the utmost care. Highly recommended the black spaghetti.
Need to know
For currency, bring the crispest, largest bills you can get from your own bank. Cash is the preferred method of payment, especially in small businesses or market stalls. Cash can also lead to potential discounts with some businesses and you and you can avoid potentially high fees or unreliable ATMs.
If traveling from the northern hemisphere, be mindful that the seasons in the southern hemisphere are opposite of the north.
Mendoza is very flat, but still be prepared with comfortable shoes so that you can explore the city on foot.
Travel Advisor
Tracy Delossantos
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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Mendoza page.