Hidden
in San Luis Province lies the perfect combination of climate,
vegetation, and scenery. A place to relax, learn, and venture into
the history of the country.
Little can be
said about its first inhabitants—the Comechingon Indians. They knew
about the magic of these sierras. It cannot be assured either that,
back in 1797, when the place was founded and named after the Rio de
la Plata Viceroy—Don Pedro de Melo—, Spanish conquerors knew
about the almost unique qualities of these lands.
The truth is
that Villa de Merlo, in San Luis Province, is one the world’s three
microclimates, together with Canarias Islands and some areas of
California coast.A barrier to the
wet air currents that come from the Atlantic Ocean, long-standing
rocks, and the oxygen release produced as a result of granite
decomposition are the fundamentals of the warm and comforting
environment that this place features all year long, which turn it
into a natural treasure.
Pepper trees,
tabaquillos, hackberries, and aromatic herbs are part of its
luxuriant vegetation because the temperature ranges between 18° and
33°C in summer, and the average temperature is 17 degrees in winter.
Apart from the
imposing landscape, that seduces any tourist with a painter’s soul,
Villa de Merlo offers a great variety of circuits for travelers.
In the last
years, the province government has promoted a kind of tourism known
as ecotourism that combines sportive activities with bird watching,
outdoors hikes, horseback riding and biking trips to venture into the
depth of the abundant nature of the sierras.
Another
excellent alternative to know something different, especially for the
most adventurous, is the Cerro Áspero colony. Over forty years ago,
there used to be a mining company here that extracted wolframite—an
ore that blends iron and manganese. Today only ruins lie here.
Ideal for those who enjoy the mystery of tunnels, galleries, and
factories of one of the oldest trades in America.
A well-known
mine is the one at Los Cóndores—located only 50 kilometers from
Villa de Merlo—where you can go down at different depth levels and
find tungsten, an ore used to harden steel.
A must for those
who love history is to visit the Bajo Véliz Paleontological Deposit,
one of the main relics, that is over 286 million years old. Another
must is Sierra de las Quijadas National Park, a 150,000-hectare area
which features red geological formations that penetrate into the eyes
of the most distracted viewers.
But if it is too
hot, it is better to leave these activities for more pleasant days
and dive into the waters of the Papagayos Stream, located 40 km from
Villa de Merlo. Huge waterfalls that come down from rock formations
and abundant vegetation are part of a worth-considering option.
However, leaving
Merlo without trying some of its regional products is not a good
sign. Everyone who calls himself a born explorer must try the cheeses
of Los Nadis, the dairy products without additives or preservatives,
the alfajores
of Doña Chocolata, and why not, the olives of Establecimiento
Merlín.
Art lovers
should visit the Paseo
de los Artesanos
(Artisans Fair) or La Paloma ExpoFeria where they can buy different
items from knits to openwork coins.
Tangol Travel
Agency suggests visiting the sierras and offers the best
price-quality combination. Ask about special packages.