Tips for visiting Barreal and El Leoncito by car
Barreal and El Leoncito under the most starry sky in Argentina
In San Juan you will visit Barreal and El Leoncito National Park, guardian of the best nights in Argentina.
In the province of San Juan, at the foot of the imposing Andes Mountains, lies the town of Barreal. A small town where peace pervades its streets, ideal for spending a few days of complete tranquility. Just a few kilometers away is El Leoncito National Park, one of the best places for astrotourism in Argentina. On a night visit, the experience of seeing the stars in a dark sky becomes unforgettable.
In addition, wineries, horseback riding and bicycle rides are activities that complement rest, enjoying unique views of the mountains. And if you are looking for something more adventurous, land sailing in Pampa El Leoncito and trekking to the turquoise stream are excellent options.
So that you can explore the best of Barreal by car, at Rentennials we provide you with all the information you need to know to get there and enjoy it.
Where is Barreal, San Juan
The town of Barreal is located in the southwest of the province of San Juan. Close to the border with Mendoza, this small town offers one of the best views of the Ansilta Mountain Range, a mountain range within the Andes Mountain Range system. The Patos River gives a special magic to these beautiful panoramas.
If your idea is also to do wine tourism, Barreal and nearby Calingasta are two options that meet all the expectations of travelers: good wines, gastronomy and quality service. And not only that, there is also a variety of activities, such as bike rides, horseback riding, rafting and much more.
How to get to Barreal from Mendoza
The first thing is to rent a car in Mendoza and then begin the trip to the province of San Juan. To get to Barreal, take National Route 40 to the city of San Juan. From there, continue to the intersection with Provincial Route 436 and turn left until you come across National Route 149 to Calingasta. You have to continue for about 120 km more and you will come across Barreal. About 40 km before is the town of Calingasta.
Here you can find the map to get to Barreal from Mendoza. It is 378 km and is all asphalt in good condition.
Something important to keep in mind! Google Maps suggests that the road from Mendoza to Barreal is via Uspallata and National Route 149. This route has a large stretch of gravel (even sand) that is in poor condition. Although it is shorter, with a low car you will probably have many problems getting there. If you decide to do it, it is best to go in a 4×4 truck.
How to get to Barreal from San Juan
Another option is to rent a car in the city of San Juan and start the trip. From the capital you have to go along National Route 40 until the intersection with RP 436. From this point follow the directions explained in the section above.
Here you can find the map to get to Barreal from San Juan. The total distance is 212 km. El Leoncito National Park
Created in 2002, El Leoncito National Park serves the function of taking care of the starry skies. It is one of the areas with the fewest cloudy days in the country: about 300 clear nights per year. This makes it a unique place for astrotourism. On the other hand, great care is taken to ensure that there is no light pollution in the surroundings so that researchers can do their work.
In addition, the Park is not only a place to enjoy astronomical tourism, but also has several trails to explore and get to know its particular environment. The mountain range is combined with plains and some oases.
Where is El Leoncito National Park?
It is located just 30 km from the city of Barreal. To get there, take National Route 149 south to the access and turn left. Then, continue along a dirt access where you have to be careful, but you can get there safely.
What observatories are there within El Leoncito National Park?
There are two renowned observatories in the National Park: the Carlos Ulrrico Cesco Astronomical Station (CESCO) and the El Leoncito Astronomical Complex (CASLEO). Both have specific days and times to enjoy nighttime observations.
Key tip: plan your itinerary in advance so you don’t miss the opportunity to visit the National Park and its observatories.
Carlos Ulrrico (Cesco) Astronomical Station
This station depends on the Félix Aguilar Astronomical Observatory, located in the town of Barreal. It is a great alternative to enjoy astronomical tourism activities within the National Park.
Guided tours, along with night observations, take place from Thursday to Sunday, starting during the day, you can visit the observatory at 8:30 p.m. You must book a time in advance on the Cesco website. At the end of the experience, you must return to your accommodation in Barreal.
El Leoncito Astronomical Center (CASLEO)
This observatory, which is part of CONICET, is perhaps the most outstanding of the two. During the day, you can tour its facilities, while at night, they offer astronomical observations. It is usual to arrive around 7 p.m. to take the guided tour, which includes a tour of the observatory. When night falls, you are invited to look at the sky through one of their external telescopes. At the end, you return to your accommodation in Barreal.
With some planning, there is the possibility of spending a night at CASLEO. On certain days and when there are no scientific activities, they open the accommodation for tourism, which includes dinner and breakfast.
In both cases, it is key to check the opening of quotas at the beginning of each month and make the reservation directly on the CASLEO website. On Fridays and Sundays, only observations are made, while on Mondays and Saturdays you can stay overnight.
How to do astrotourism in El Leoncito
It is an activity suitable for the whole family and the intention is to discover an immense sky with the guidance of experts. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Don’t go without a reservation. Since there are only a few days, the places fill up quickly. Do you already know when you are traveling? Then start making your reservation now.
Bring a coat. Observations are made at night and temperatures drop considerably. In winter, we recommend that you be well equipped.
Don’t go on nights with a full moon. The further away you are from those dates, the better.
Being open to new, unknown experiences is essential for you to enjoy this unique visit in Argentina.
What to do in Barreal
Whether before or after the astronomical tourism experience in the National Park, you can do many activities or, if you prefer, rest in the accommodations in Barreal.
Here we tell you everything you can do in this beautiful area of San Juan.
Land sailing in Pampa El Leoncito
Do you like speed and wind? Then Barreal is the best option for you. In Pampa El Leoncito, a plain that was once a lagoon thousands of years ago, you can practice land sailing. It is a sailboat driven by the strong winds of the region.
You have to do it on windy days (but not too much) and, preferably, in the afternoon. Only hire authorized providers to ensure an experience with all the safety elements.
It is located in front of the National Park, so it is very easy to get to. A few days before you will know if you can do the activity, because the wind speed is known.
Trekking to the Turquoise Creek
After about eight hours of walking (medium difficulty), you will reach one of the most impressive water courses in the Cordillera. This is a stream that falls from the mountain and, due to its mineral properties, has a turquoise color.
To go trekking, you must go with a local guide. Find out about the options for hiking to the turquoise stream.
Horseback riding, rafting and bike rides
Tranquility invades the town of Barreal, and there is nothing like touring it on horseback or by bike. There are multiple options, but they are all half-day trips to get to know the area. Some include a country-style lunch.
Another option is rafting and kayaking on the Río de los Patos. The experiences are of low difficulty and suitable for the whole family.
Trails in El Leoncito National Park
If you want silence and only to hear the sound of the fauna, then before going to the El Leoncito observatory, walk the trails in the National Park. There you can walk through the arid landscape and, perhaps, come across foxes and guanacos.
The trails in El Leoncito National Park close at 7 pm, so it is advisable to arrive around 4 or 5 pm to be able to enjoy them in their entirety. After touring them, you can try astrotourism.
Wineries in Barreal
The wine tourism circuit in Barrial is incipient and increasingly offers better places for those who want to taste San Juan wines and have lunch with views of the mountain range.
Here we leave you only a few options. Always call before going to make a reservation (not all offer lunch service).
Remember that if you drink alcohol, it is best to leave your car at your hotel and go by remise or taxi to the wineries.
Where to stay in Barreal
This is an area where tourism has grown a lot in recent years, which means that there is an increasing supply of accommodation. There is something for all budgets and styles, from hostels, boutique hotels and cabins.
Any advice? In summer, book a room One with a pool. And all year round, look for one that has a direct view of the mountain range.
When to visit Barreal and El Leoncito National Park
It is one of the destinations that can be visited all year round, but there are better times than others. In summer, as in the entire Cuyo area, temperatures tend to be high, although with a dry heat. In winter, the nights are very cold, which can make stargazing difficult.
The best time to visit Barreal is in autumn and spring.
Get to know San Juan and Barreal with Rentennials
Another destination that, if you don’t know yet, you have to start planning your trip now: stars, wines, horseback riding, rafting. And all very close to the city of Mendoza and the capital of San Juan.
The best way to get around Barreal is by car. At your own pace, with your interests, and knowing that there is always time for rest and for the activities that you like the most. The roads are well maintained and you will experience driving through beautiful landscapes. Renting a car with Rentennials allows you to connect with hosts and discover places you might not otherwise get to.
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