CHARACTERISTICS
Lago Puelo was discovered by the Spanish conquistador Juan Fernández in 1621, the first to arrive in this region and contact their Poya race aborigines, later exterminated by the Mapuche invasion in what is called the “Araucanization” of Patagonia. Two hundred sixty-three years after Fernández’s unsuccessful trip, the Creole Pedro “Motoco” Cárdenas arrived in Puelo, from Río Bueno, Osorno Province, Chile, the first white man to settle in what he called “Valle Nuevo”, believing he had found a cattle valley in Chilean territory. When Cárdenas began the colonization of this region, the 16 de Octubre valley had not yet been discovered, nor had the Rifleros de Fontana expedition to the Cordillera be dispatched. The Aboriginal Poyas had already been extinguished, but the Mapuches – a nomadic people – never settled in Puelo, which was originally colonized by creole ranchers from Chile.
Like the rest of the towns in the region (El Bolsón, El Hoyo, Epuyén, El Maitén and Cholila), Lago Puelo mainly bases its economy on the production of fine fruits (cherries, strawberries, raspberries) and tourist activity. It has a wide range of tourist services, accommodation, gastronomy and excursions.
Lago Puelo has a large number of artisan and regional products in the area. Crafts, instruments, vitroux, fabrics, chocolates, ice cream, craft beer and much more will complement your natural experience of being in Lago Puelo.
LOCATION
132 km from San Carlos de Bariloche (Río Negro) and 165 km from Esquel (Chubut), integrating the Andes Region of the 42º Parallel, is the town of Lago Puelo, a typical mountain village, close to the homonyms lake (photo one). Both from the South and the North are reached by National Route 40 (fully paved).
WHAT TO DO?
– Trekking and walks
– Lago Puelo National Park
– Lake excursions and activities
– Cultural activities
– Regionals
– Gastronomy
– Agrotourism
– Local Production
CONTACT
Dirección de Turismo and Information Center
Address: Av. 2 de Abril and Los Notros C.P. 9211
TE.: (02944) 499591
Web Site: http://www.lagopuelo.gob.ar/
E-mail: direcciondeturismolagopuelo@gmail.com
