Perito Moreno: Archaeology, Cultural Heritage and Nature
Accommodation in Perito Moreno
Perito Moreno is located at the junction of roads RP 43, RP 41 and RN 40. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in town, its cultural and scenic attractions can be the focus of your trip planning: these include Laguna de los Cisnes, the archaeological museum and historic sites.
Nature and Getting Around Perito Moreno
Laguna de los Cisnes is a protected natural area and is also designated as urban cultural heritage. It is a good place for birdwatching. A lit path passes information boards explaining its history and natural features. The Laguna therefore offers both a connection with nature and an insight into local cultural heritage. If you need current information about protection or access, check local notices.
Camping Municipal is on the shore of Laguna de los Cisnes. It is open year-round and has a 24-hour reception. If you plan to include this camping option in your trip, check the operating information before you travel, as such details can change.
Archaeology, the Museum and the Town’s History
The Museo de ArqueologĂa Carlos Gradin is part of the museum complex in Perito Moreno. It features exhibitions on archaeology and regional cultural heritage. On display are archaeological materials up to 9,300 years old. A play-based educational area for children complements the museum’s offerings.
Salón Iturrioz is a building dating from the 1920s. Asociación Identidad restored it in 2006 and put it to a new use. It has been designated local urban cultural heritage and a provincial historic monument. The Salón preserves contemporary furnishings from former general stores, as well as objects donated by residents. Its offerings include a café, souvenirs, regional products, temporary exhibitions and a varied cultural program. Individual offerings may change; check what is currently available before your visit.
The Paseo HistĂłrico passes by emblematic sites in Perito Moreno. These include Parroquia MarĂa Inmaculada Reina de las Victorias, an emblematic site on this historic route. Together with the museum and SalĂłn Iturrioz, the Paseo offers another way to explore the town’s cultural history.
Rock Art and Nature in the Wider Destination
Cueva de las Manos is located south of Perito Moreno. It was declared a National Historic Monument in 1993 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. In the wider Lago Buenos Aires Department destination, a 1.5-kilometer walking trail at the Cueva leads to rock overhangs, cliffs and a cave. They feature hunting scenes, hand stencils, animal depictions and abstract figures made with mineral pigments by hunter-gatherers more than 9,000 years ago.
Reserva Natural Silvestre La AscensiĂłn is also part of the wider Lago Buenos Aires Department destination. An extensive network of trekking trails runs from the shores of Lago Buenos Aires to the millennia-old rock formation of Meseta del Lago Buenos Aires. The trails pass through coirĂłn grasslands, mallines, scrubland and rocky slopes; along the way are viewpoints, shelters and campsites in the Patagonian steppe. There are two campsites in the La AscensiĂłn sector; the area also has a visitor center and shelters. Check the current availability of these facilities before you travel.
The history of the wider Lago Buenos Aires Department destination also includes the former Estancia La Ascensión. Founded in 1912, it was a sheep ranch producing wool and meat. Hundreds of farm workers lived there, shaped by the rural culture and folkloric traditions of southern Patagonia. The estate can be visited as part of the region’s history of livestock farming. A historic route passes buildings with original facades, the shearing shed, corrals, agricultural machinery and the Matera, which together tell the story of the place.
For the overview of the wider destination: Lago Buenos Aires Department.
