How to plan a perfect trip to Mendoza: a quick guide

I am not sure if I even mentioned it, but I was quite impressed by Argentina, its culture, food, people and obviously landscapes. I was lucky to discover many places from the north to south, but somehow I never (during the whole two years of living and traveling in South America) managed to go to Mendoza region, mostly known for its wines. Well, technically not never as I spend there a few lovely day last Hogmanay.

Use my favourite travel resources to plan your dream trips

Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
World Nomads travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money.
Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.

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What can you expect from traveling to Mendoza

And that’s how an unplanned trip become the best plan.

I really wanted to visit Mendoza. The idea of never-ending green fields of vines, wine tasting afternoons, long walks and the feet of the Andes was really quite appealing. The was one problem: South America if huge and full of amazing places, so somehow I was always choosing another destination. My list of places I would love to visits was long and I still haven’t finished it. I will have to go back to South America again, I guess.

So how I ended up spending New Years in Mendoza? Well, it was a positive outcome of something bad. After our road trip to Bariloche and Chiloé, we had a perfect, lazy-bum plan to spend Christmas and New Year’s in Brazil. The plan was simple: go to Brazil, put a bikini on, feel the sand on out feet, eat well, drink coconut juice, listen to samba sounds and simply enjoy the lovely Brazilian atmosphere.

The plan fell apart after losing my passport a night before the flight to Brazil. A long story short, we stayed in Santiago de Chile waiting for a new passport to be issued and me being able to leave the country.

When I finally got my new passport (squeaky perfect…which I did not like. There’s nothing better than an old passport full of stamps and miles traveled), we bought new flights to Buenos Aires and Mendoza as the last trip at the end of over two-year long adventure in South America.

How to get to Mendoza

By plane: Mendoza is easily accessible by air, with Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport serving as the main gateway to the region. From Buenos Aires, you can catch a direct flight to Mendoza, with several airlines offering daily services.

By bus: Alternatively, if you prefer a scenic route, you can opt for a long-distance bus journey from Buenos Aires, which takes approximately 14 hours.

By car: For those seeking flexibility and convenience, renting a car provides the freedom to explore Mendoza and its surrounding areas at your own pace. This is what we did. Actually, we drove around most of South America, so driving around Mendoza region was super easy and pleasant.

What to do in Mendoza: highlights

Wine Tasting: No visit to Mendoza is complete without indulging in its world-renowned wine culture. Spend a day exploring the region’s prestigious wineries, such as Bodega Catena Zapata, Trapiche, and Bodega Ruca Malen, where you can sample Malbec, Argentina’s signature grape, amidst stunning vineyard landscapes.

Aconcagua National Park: Embark on an adventure to Aconcagua National Park, home to the highest peak in the Americas, Mount Aconcagua. Hike through scenic trails, marvel at breathtaking mountain vistas, and explore the park’s diverse flora and fauna.

Maipu Biking Tour: Discover the picturesque Maipu Valley on a biking tour, pedaling your way through vineyards, olive groves, and historic villages. Stop at local wineries along the way to taste award-winning wines and learn about the winemaking process from passionate vintners.

Plaza Independencia: Immerse yourself in Mendoza’s vibrant culture at Plaza Independencia, the city’s main square. Admire the beautiful fountains, sculptures, and gardens, and soak up the lively atmosphere as locals gather to socialize and relax.

Termas de Cacheuta: Relax and rejuvenate at Termas de Cacheuta, a natural thermal spa nestled in the Andean foothills. Unwind in hot springs pools, indulge in spa treatments, and take in panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

When to visit Mendoza

On our arrival to Mendoza we got a big punch of heat on our faces. I did not think that it can get any hotter than in polluted Santiago, where a breeze is a rarity in summer. It was really hot! Even for me, the biggest heat lover. I’d say that December and January are not ideal.

The optimal time to visit Mendoza is during the region’s harvest season, which typically occurs from February to April. This period offers mild temperatures and clear skies, making it ideal for exploring the vineyards and indulging in wine tastings.

Additionally, you can witness the vibrant grape harvest festivities known as the “Vendimia,” where locals celebrate the culmination of the grape-growing season with parades, music, and traditional performances.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the spring (September to November) and fall (March to May) months offer pleasant weather for activities such as hiking, biking, and exploring the scenic landscapes of the Andes Mountains.

Independent travel or joining a tour?

There are many tour operators organizing the excursions around the region. There is also a hop on hop off bus (which many people complaint about) that does three different routes along wineries. We, as usually, wanted to be as independent as possible, especially that none of the tours and operators suited us well.

After a quick research we took a local bus to Tupungato, a little town south of Mendoza. The bus was full and hot. There was no space in the bus for a single mini person. The air was thick and hot and the air conditioning did not work. The windows were the ones that do not open and lifting up the small roof window resulted in dust, dirt and dry leaves filling up the interior of already uncomfortable bus.

After an hour and half we finally arrived to Tupungato. Without much knowledge about any buses from there or wineries nearby, we talked to a driver of so-called taxi. I am pretty sure that he just stands at the taxi stop from time to time with a suspicious sign to get some extra cash. The man was nice. His six-year old son was accompanying him. We asked to take us to a winery called Salentin. The price was reasonable and we headed to do our first wine tasting.

The man was very chatty, which was really great. Spending some time with the locals and listening to their stories provides much richer experience than any guide would. Do you like bonding with the locals on your travels?

I guess renting a car or a private tour would be better choice that day.

Visiting local wineries

Salentin is one of the biggest wineries in the region. It is also very modern, so the whole experience has been different from the ones I had before. The owner is a Dutch family that also has a great interest in art. Part of the winery (that also included a restaurant) was an art gallery. I liked the idea of combining wine with art.

The cellar itself was beautiful. With a piano in the middle it was full of romantic and mysterious atmosphere. I guess that any functions held there are quite an experience.

To ensure that you can visit the winery it is best to book it online before. We however, as I already mentioned, had no plan. When we arrived there was a waiting list of people who had a similar idea to ours. And it was the last tour in the old year. Luck did not leave us and we could promptly join a group.

While the man and his son waited for us to complete the visit, we had a chance to taste a few excellent wines, learn a little bit about wine making process and appreciate the art gallery.

Then we were taken to a few beautiful places where we could admire the landscape of the region, eat at the best local restaurants that serves home made food and some facts that we haven’t read anywhere. This what I like most about traveling slower and taking time to talk to locals, I get to see and experience places on a totally new level.

The number of wineries in Mendoza region is countless. I guess a few good weeks would be needed to see all of them (and a serious detox afterwards).

After visiting one of the most modern wineries, we decided to go for a small, organic one. Cecchin is owned by an Italian family and only a local bus ride from the centre of Mendoza (count at least an hour on the bus though). It is a small winery located in a really charming place. It also has a small outside restaurant.

You don’t need to book a tour before and they have a few price options for wine tasting (the visit is free if you don’t want the wine tasting option). I actually liked this winery a lot. The girl showing us around gave us so much information that none of the guides on my previous wine tasting tours ever provided. And the wine was excellent! We could really appreciate the flavours of organic wine, made traditional way which was a bit distinct from the wines produced now. I would really recommend you this place if you ever plan to go to Mendoza for wine tasting.

Charming excursion from Buenos Aires to Lujan. Argentina off the beaten path.

Walks in Patagonia. Searching for Bambi in Bosque de Arrayanes.

Mindful moment:

Do less. I am a big fan of slow travel. Recently there have been a lot of talking about traveling to get as many passport stamps as possible. I would like to encourage you though to travel deeper, not faster. Even if you have only a few days, the time spent to be in a place, get to know its culture, food and talking to the locals will give you much greater experience if you slow down. It is much better to sew fewer sights in greater depth than ticking all the must do boxes.

Give yourself the freedom to explore, get lost and discover. This way of traveling gets immediately a different meaning and you will get a totally new level of adventure.

If you’d like to learn some more about mindfulness and how to start using it in your daily life, even when you’re traveling, I’d like to recommend you this book.

Thank you for visiting. I would like to know what is your preferred way of traveling? Do you like slow travel or you rather go and visit as many places as possible?

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