Neuquén city and around

The provincial capital is at the eastern tip of the province of Neuqúen, an attractive industrial town, founded in 1904, just after the arrival of the railway. It's on the opposite side of the Río Neuquén from Cipolletti, a prosperous centre of the Río Negro fruit- growing region and while it has no major tourist attractions, it's a useful stopping point for the lakes, but it's also a good base for exploring the dinosaur finds in the area to the immediate southwest.

Getting around

The town can easily be explored on foot in a few hours, with most hotels and restaurants around the main street Avenida Argentina.

Tourist information

The tourist office www.neu quentur.gov.ar, www.neuquen.com, provides helpful lists of accommodation and a map.

Sights

At the northern end of Avenida Argentina at the Parque Centenario there is the Mirador Balcón del Valle with panoramic views over the city and the confluence of the rivers. In the university buildings at the entrance of the park is the Museo Paleontológico de CienciasNaturales, which includes exhibitions of dinosaur fossils found in the region. The former railway station, at Olascaoga y Pasaje Obligado, has been converted into a cultural centre and exhibition centre. South of the centre there is also a pleasant walk along the Río Limay. Facing Neuquén and connected by bridge isCipolletti. All the towns in the valley celebrate the Fiesta Nacional de la Manzana (apples are the main local crop) in the second half of March.