Nestled in the heart of Mendoza Province, San Rafael is a bustling city of about 170,00 people. Although the surrounding Pampa plains are dry and flat, the Diamante and Atuel Rivers allow for San Rafael to be an oasis of rich agriculture and tourism. The Andean Mountains, pristine lakes, valleys, and beautiful white waters create a canvas of dramatic beauty for the city. Visitors are invited to take advantage of the numerous sporting activities offered, such as fishing, biking, rafting, horseback riding, diving, and kayaking.

San Rafael rests in scenic wine country; Argentina makes about one half of all the wine produced annually in South America, and Mendoza produces about 70% of Argentina's wine. As a result, San Rafael is home to a number of traditional wine and champagne cellars and vineyards which visitors are encouraged to explore. There are also numerous shops and boutiques to visit along San Rafael's quaint, tree-lined streets, as well as skiing and guided excursions in the nearby mountains. The Valle Grande Area, The Canon del Atuel, and the Nihuil Dam are all spectacular attractions in close proximity to San Rafael, allowing for great accessibility to a wide array of the city's offered activities

Argentina is known for celebrating the simple pleasures of family life, and San Rafael is no different. Shared meals and family get-togethers are frequent, good-spirited and long-lasting; traditions which are forgotten by many due to fast-paced, time-pressed lifestyles in the United States.

Locals are especially respectful to their roots, enjoying numerous festvials of great tradition. The Vendimia Festival, during the first Saturday of March, is the biggest popular festival of Mendoza. The entire province lights up for an especially grand celebration of the wine harvest, and activities include religious ceremonies to bless the grapes, sports events, and a crowning of the National Queen of the Vintage, or the 'Reina Nacional de la Vendimia.' There are parades, old cars, musicians, and actors. Plenty of wine, entertainment, and a feast ensure merriment during this time of year.

In addition to the Vendimia Festival, San Rafael hosts the Argetine Pentathlon every year. This event takes place in the first fortnight of February. Atheletes compete in five different events in a circuit around the Atuel River Canyon.

San Rafael experiences mild winters and warm summers. Humidity is usually low and winds are moderate, and there is sun nearly every day. Generally, the warmer months from November to March are characterized by temperatures in the high 60's to low 70's (degrees farenheit). A network of freshwater canals cool the months of June, July, and August, which experience temperatures in the mid 40's to low 50's (degrees farenheit). For more information on the climate of San Rafael, please visit the the Mendoza Weather page.

History of San Rafael:
In the mid seventeen hundreds, Indians from southern Mendoza together with Indians from Chile which had been expelled from their country mixed and led wild raids on farms and villages in San Rafael. In defense, The Viceroy of Rio de la Plata ordered the creation of the Fort San Rafael del Diamante in the banks of the Diamonte River on April 2, 1805. The San Rafael Fort was destoryed by a river flood, but its ruins were declared a National Monument in 1942, and are one of the most popular attractions within the city.

Getting There:
San Rafael is located about 240 kilometers (150 miles) south of the city of Mendoza, and thus can be accessed by automobile via major highway in about 3 hours. Night buses are also a common way to reach San Rafael. Three lines of night buses depart from the Retiro Terminal in Buenos Aires between 7 and 8 p.m. every night, and passengers can enjoy complimentary two-course dinners with wine, movies, and light breakfast before arrival in the morning. Travel to San Rafael is also possible via plane, and Aerolineas Argentinas offers service between Buenos Aires and San Rafael four times a week.

Things To Do in San Rafael:
The lovely atmosphere and excellent weather of San Rafael makes the city very inviting. Dining out is extremely affordable - a fraction of the prices paid in United States cities such as New York and Miami - and enjoyable, especially the steakhouses and, of course, the wine. There are numerous sidewalk cafes and boutiques waiting to be explored, and the city is extremely safe. There are wineries, olive oil manufacture buildings, and fruit-drying places as well.

Within the city, you can find many things to do. Visits to San Martín Square, which covers a surface of more than 400 acres and is home to 700 species of animals and 50,000 trees, are very popular. Near the river, Gruta del Indio (the Indian's cave) is home an archeological hot spot full of archaic remains; paintings from old Indian cultures have been found which date back to the 16th century, as well as prehistoric animal remains. Near the center of the city isCerro de La Gloria (Gloria Hill), where a zoo and a monument to Gerneral San Martin are located., There is also the San Rafael Arcangeles Cathedral, a modern building of neo-romantic architecture.

Nearby Highlights
Valle Grande:
Running aside the Atuel river, the Provintial Route 173 will take us to our first attraction, the Valle Grande Dam. The enormous mirror of greenish emerald waters invites us to practice water sports such as swimming, diving, water skiing, windsurf or boating trips. In this area there are also handycraft shops, small hotels, restaurants and fully equipped camping trails for backpackers.

At the same time, the river gives us the possibilities of practicing rafting, kayaking, and great scenery for those who love fishing. If you are not fond of water sports and prefer to stay in dry land, trekking (guided), horse back riding, and cycling are some options.

Canon del Atuel:
Upwards from the Valle Grande dam, the Atuel Canon is one of nature's most breath-taking works of art. Wind and rain have eroded the rock, sculpting deep cavities into the canyon, Two artificial lakes, Aisol and Tierras Blancas, as well as the great fall of the Atuel River also contribute to the beauty of Canon del Atuel.

El Nihuil Dam:
To reach the last important point of the Atuel River, the Nihuil Dam, visitors will have to make their way through an unpaved route. Just like the Valle Grande Dam, water sports such as windsurfing and water skiing are practiced frequently at El Nihuil Dam. This dam is also well known for it's great fishing.

Where to Stay
Hotels Four stars hotels Complejo Terrazas Apart Boutique- www.terrazasapartments.com.ar Hotel Tower Inn & Suites- www.towersanrafael.com ) Hotel Nuevo Mundo www.hmnsanrafael.com Three Star Hotels Nitra II www.hotelesnitra.com.ar Kaltron www.kaltronhotel.com.ar

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