Mendoza

Eco-friendly travel guide to Mendoza advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Mendoza, Argentina.

Artificial lake in General San Martín Park, Mendoza, Argentina

Air quality: 3 / 5

Exploring by foot: 3.5 / 5

Exploring by bicycle: 2.5 / 5

Public transportation: 3 / 5

Parks: 3.5 / 5

Outdoor activities: 3 / 5

Locals' English level: 3.5 / 5

Safety: 3 / 5

Accommodation: US$70 - $150

Budget per day: US$200 - $300

Responsible Travel

Mendoza, Capital Department, Mendoza Province, [[[Argentina]]. The city has a population of 18.9 lakhs. Most people have heard many good tales about this place, and they wish to visit to experience it for themselves. Thus, it is not surprising that there is a high inflow of foreigners to this city regularly. The issue is not to visit the city of Mendoza, but you need to know how to ensure that you have responsible travel while you are in the city.

Your trip to Mendoza begins the second you book the flight. Instead of booking a 5-star and luxurious hotel, find out if the hotel is eco-friendly. After securing the getaway, you need to book a hotel for your stay. Eco-friendly hotels are hotels that follow certain environment-friendly practices that support and protect their local environment.

As a tourist, you will feel that using mineral water bottles and disposable items is a better choice, but they are not. These items create a lot of pollution that uses a lot of natural resources to dispose-off properly. You can carry your refillable water bottle and a cloth bag while traveling to the country.

While booking your flight, make sure that you take a direct flight. Avoid booking transfer flights as they cause a lot of harm to the environment and take more time to reach the final destination. Try and use public transportation as much as possible. While there aren’t too many options and the comfort of a private car or a cab is far more superior, it is recommended that you use the waterways, the trains. The buses are efficient, cost-effective, and they certainly help you reduce your carbon footprint. In addition to this, Mendoza is a city whose beauty is par excellence, and exploring it on foot or a bicycle shall also serve to be a phenomenal experience.

Air Quality and Pollution

There is a saying that it is better to be safe than to be sorry. Thus, people love to make inquiries before they visit any city as they would not want to compromise their health despite wanting to have fun during the holiday. After all, health is wealth. In line with being eco-friendly, it is good to know about the city's quality and pollution. Compared to other Argentina cities, Mendoza's air quality is pretty bad, but when compared with other cities in the world, it is pretty good. The Air Quality Index shows that the Air Quality of Mendoza is moderate. Summer and Autumn are the perfect seasons to visit'. The air is fresh and crisp at this time of the year, and you will enjoy bike rides and walking in the city quite a lot.

Respect the Culture

It is not out of place that one of the first things you would hear when visiting a new place is that you should respect the culture if you want to flow well with the locals. However, some people might be lost if they do not know the traditions of the city. If you are having lunch with your local friends, then it is proffered if everyone pays for what they ordered or can offer to pay for everyone if you are hosting. Do not wait for others to pay your bill and always offer to pay for your own food. If this city is your chosen city for a holiday, have no fear as we would give you some tips on respecting their culture. You should know that the people of this city love it when the atmosphere is relaxed. Thus, they would not jump into any business topic. Always talk about something simple and allow the host to start the conversation. You must show respect towards the local communities, landmarks, culture, and local environment. By indulging in cultural or recreational activities, you can learn a great deal about the city's culture and history.

Top 10 Places to Visit

Some people may wonder why others would want to visit Mendoza, and the sites of tourist are amongst the reasons.

Here are the Top 10 places you can see in the city:

Lago Del Parque General San Martin: Lago Del Parque General San Martin is a large park with a lake and a rose garden. It is located in Av Emilio, Mendoza, Argentina.

Cerro de la Gloria: Cerro de la Gloria is a small mountain with a memorial monument in the city of Mendoza. It is a substantial monument to the army of the Andes at the top.

Plaza Independencia, Mendoza: Plaza Independencia is a popular green space with a fountain. It is located in Gral. Espejo, Mendoza, Argentina. It is a landscaped square and lively hangout featuring shade trees.

Caminos del Vino: Caminos del Vino is an Itinerary of over 150 local wineries in the city. It is located in Rivadavia, Mendoza, Argentina. It is a network of vineyards offering wine tasting and tours.

Area Fundacional: Area Fundacional is a museum displaying ruins of old Mendoza. It is located in Juan B, Mendoza, Argentina. It is historical city models and artifacts exhibited.

Acuario Municipal: Acuario Municipal is an aquarium in the city of Mendoza. It is located in Ituzaingo, Mendoza, Argentina.

Jardin Zoologico de Mendoza: Jardin Zoologico de Mendoza is a zoo, bears, park and garden. It is located in Av del Libertador, Mendoza, Argentina. It was established in the year 1941.

Museo del Pasado Cuyano: Museo del Pasado Cuyano is a history museum in the city of Mendoza. It is located in Mendoza, Argentina. It is a famous museum in the town.

Mercado Central: Mercado Central is a bustling market for the meat and produce. It is one of the famous markets in the city of Mendoza, Argentina. The market is lively indoor, featuring colorful butcher and hot-food stands.

Teatro Municipal Julio Quintanilla: Teatro Municipal Julio Quintanilla is an art theatre and museum in the city of Mendoza. It is located in Paseo Sarmiento, Mendoza, Argentina.

Cerro de la Gloria

Explore

The city has many things to offer apart from the many historical and culturally renowned places packed with tourists. The various parks, beaches, museums, and landmarks will help you get deep insights into the local culture and its beauty. People say that all work and no play would make one dull. This city ensures that it has places that play roles in calming and relaxing the mind. Thus, it is not surprising that people always want to visit this city. There is so much to do in this city, so tourists should have a schedule plan ready so that activities will not be jumbled.

City Parks

The city is big, and it has a big collection of parks and other such places. It has big open spaces and greeneries where you can spend time with your children and other family members. The views are one thing you cannot take away from parks.

Here are some famous city parks of the city:

Lago Del Parque General San Martin
Plaza San Martin
Plaza chile
Parque Civico
Plaza Irigoyen
Rosedal

Lago Del Parque General San Martin

National Parks

The city of Mendoza has always been famous for its beautiful and graceful natural resources. This city has a wonderful collection of national parks and zoos. We are listing down a few of them that may not exactly be located in and around the city but are not very far away from the city.

Parque Provincial Aconcagua
Reserve Natural Villavicencio
Reserve Provincial Telteca

Aconcagua Provincial Park

Beaches

Many people love the idea of soaking up the sun on the beach, enjoying the peacefulness and calm the water brings, and meeting people. If you buy this idea, it means you would want to hang out at the beach if you visit Mendoza. Thankfully, there are many excellent beaches in the city.

Lujan Playa
'Virgina beach

View of the beautiful Lujan Playa

Landmarks

The city of Mendoza also has its share of memorable landmarks and monuments. You must try and visit as many as you possibly can. While the list is quite long, we are mentioning a few of them for our readers' benefit.

Plaza Espana
Museo de Ciencias Naturales v Antropologicas
Ruinas Jesuiticas de San Francisco
Army of the Andes Monument

Plaza Espana

Museums

Visiting museums would be the icing on your holiday package, especially if you are in this city, as it shows that you have adequately explored the city. Here are some of these museums given are as follows:

Museo Fundacion
Museo de Ciencias Naturales y Antropologicas
La Enoteca
Museo del Pasado Cuyano
Museo Casa de Fader

Inside the Museo de Ciencias Naturales y Antropologicas

Eat

You will find that the locals prefer to eat healthy and nutritious food with lots of vegetables and meats. Apart from these traditional and modern cuisines, the local street food is a must-try one that will leave your mouth lingering with their flavors. You will find that vegetarian, and non-vegetarian dishes are popular, and you will not find much trouble conveying your food preferences. Here are some famous local restaurants, vegetarian and vegan, and street foods are given below.

Traditional Local Restaurants

One of the best things about traveling worldwide is trying the various local cuisines available in that area. In most cases, traditional restaurants are the best place to experience local foods' taste, and maybe even a bit of the culture behind said dishes. The city of Mendoza has many traditional local restaurants that you should try. Below is a list of the most famous traditional local restaurants in the city.

Azafran Restaurant
Josefina Resto
Fuente y Fonda
Maria Antonieta
La Marchigiana Centro
Antares Mendoza

Vegetarian and Vegan

Sometimes the habits of two people are different. Thus, everyone does not have the same eating habit or love the same pattern when it concerns food choices. If you are a vegetarian, you do not need to worry when you are in this city as there are many restaurants to attend to your needs. With these places, you will get to enjoy traditional meals properly with your regular choices. Some of these vegan restaurants are:

Cuenco Vegano
Govinda Vegetarian
Tahini Plant-Based Food
Amaya Papaya
Calendula

Street Food

We understand that many people are lovers of street food, so we cannot ignore highlighting their choices when visiting Mendoza. Although you can get these street foods from kiosks and stores, you can also get them in some restaurants. It is not hard to find as almost everyone in the city is eating one of them.

Tortitas
Hoja
Manteca
Tomatican
Humitas

Drink

The Argentinians are known to be a very particular breed when it comes to their drinking habits'. Here we just aren’t talking about alcoholic drinks, but we are also referring to the non-alcoholic ones. In this section of the article, we shall discuss some of the popular drinks you can enjoy on your trip to Mendoza. To begin with the non-alcoholic drinks, it is an absolute no brainer that the various kinds of coffees that Italy has given to the world are popular here, right from Espresso to Cappuccino and even the Macchiato. The Argentinians in Mendoza are known to be very particular about their alcoholic drinks and the time at which they consume them. There are different types of alcohols to be consumed at different times, even before and after meals; if you consume the wrong one at the wrong time, you certainly shall be warranted to a few stares. Some of them are devoured as aperitifs and some as digestives.

Tap-water

Even the water that is available in hotels and street-side food joints may be unsafe to drink. Hence, carrying bottled water is a good suggestion. Unlike many Western countries, tap water may not be safe to drink, but the locals do drink after boiling it. Water is unstable even to the small majority who have a direct connection to tapped water. Different areas of the city receive water on specific days of the week, some for a few days and others for just a few hours.

Organic Cafés

The city has stood up to the task of catering for all segments of the population, including those with a preference for organic foods. Since some people would prefer eating organic, it is not out of place to have organic cafes in different cities. While they are not as obvious as the mainstream restaurants, the city has several organic eateries:

Cuenco Vegano
Tea and company – Barrio Bombal
El Mercadito friendly and fresh
Y nada mas!
The fit club cafe

Breweries

Drinking is a way of bringing people together in the city, and you would see it in the number of available bars, breweries, and distilleries. It is always easy to strike up a conversation at these places as the drinks make everyone more relaxed, and the atmosphere is friendly. The city of Mendoza stands as one of the cities of drinks worldwide. There are no restrictions on the number of drinks a person can take, and there are no laws or regulations against drinking. Thus, you are at liberty to take either alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks while in this city.

Divaricata Brewery
886 Brewing co.
Chachingo Craft Beer
Good Dog Cerveza

Activities

The museums and art exhibitions are always there for you to explore, making you appreciate art. Even if you are not a lover of artwork, something in you will be compelled when you see them. The city is best known for its art and culture in tourism, and it has many places to explore. However, this is not the case for people who wish to visit Mendoza, as there is always something to do. Foreigners hate getting bored when in a new city, so you would see those seeking locals' recommendations. If there is not much to do in a city, then what is the point of visiting there? You should make friends with the locals to have an epic experience in the city.

Yoga and Retreats

You will find that young people are the ones that like to participate in such fitness exercised. There are many yoga institutes in the city where you can train under a qualified and experienced yoga teacher. With increasing awareness of the need for a healthy and fit lifestyle, the local people are gaining interest in yoga. Which is an ancient Indian practice for maintaining the health of mind and body. Some of the renowned yoga centers are as follows:

Mauna Yoga y Pilates
Encontre Arte
Espacio Prema Yoga

Accommodation

We would not say that accommodation in this city is cheap, neither would we say that it is expensive. The price you would get depends on your accommodation option. It may not be as low as what you would get in some cities, but it is not the most expensive in the world. With this clear, we know that the next question concerns the pricing as people want to know to plan their budget. The city has many options when it comes to accommodation, so foreigners are not stranded. These accommodation options range from hotels to apartments, and much more. You can either make accommodation plans when you are in the city or before you arrive. It would be best to do whatever works best for you.

Green Hotels

Many foreigners fail to realize that they have a role to play in protecting the environment, and it does not matter if it is your place of origin or not. If you are an environmental enthusiast, we know that you would search for green hotels in Mendoza to ensure that you have an eco-friendly stay in the city. You should play a role in any place you find yourself.

Here are some of the green hotels in the city given below:

Park Hyatt Mendoza
Villa Mansa Wine Hotel and spa
Lares De Chacras
Sheraton Mendoza Hotel

Hostels and Guest Houses

Here are some comfortable and affordable guesthouses as well as hostels in the city. They are given below:

Windmill Hostel
Hostel de Los Artistas
Black Sheep International Hostel
Gorilla Hostel

Apartments

Renting apartments in Mendoza is known to be quite an easy option. However, rental rates are known to be quite high. As tourists, you may want to consider the option if you are living for long periods of time, or if you value your privacy, or if you have a couple of friends living with you, that way you get to avoid the exorbitant rates and rigid rules and regulations of hostels and hotels.

Couchsurfing

There is an online community known as couchsurfing.com, and if you are a part of it, you will be able to come across dozens of CouchSurfing mates and companions. The perk of Couchsurfing is that it is free. As a foreigner, you do not need to pay your host. However, it is your responsibility to be respectful and abide by the laws of the city. It is a new concept but has taken off quite well in the city. The idea surrounding Couchsurfing is that locals of the city offer hospitality by opening their homes to foreigners. It is usually voluntary so that there will be no complaints. Thus, anyone who signs up to accommodate people through Couchsurfing is expected to treat them right as they were not forced to do it.

Camping

Campers describe the experience as exciting, and it lures those who have never been camping before. It helps you meet new people, and you get to do things you have never done before. If you a lover of nature and the outdoors, we know that you would wish to experience camping in whatever form when you are in a new city. The thing with camping is that there are particular areas for it; else, the whole purpose is defeated. Thus, it is right to know about camping sites.

Camping Suizo Mendoza
Mendoza Club De Regatas
Camping El Mangrullo

How to Get There

Reaching Mendoza's city is not known to be too difficult, and some of the most sustainable ways to reach are the railway and the buses. Given in the sections below are more details about the different ways in which you can reach the city.

Air

If you want to travel by air, then you will need to book the flight far before the date of departure. It will help you confirm a seat for your trip, and the price will be a lot less in bookings. The estimated time to reach Mendoza depends on your starting point. You will land at Mendoza Airport that is very well connected with foreign countries. So, no matter where you are, you will easily get a flight to this airport.

Mendoza Airport

Bus

The bus terminuses are chaotic, and you may have to take some local help to determine which bus to choose for your requirements. This is because the intercity bus terminus is located around one hour from the city. The city has reasonably advanced local bus transport services, but intercity bus services are not very comfortable.

Bus in Mendoza

Train

The process of taking a train to Mendoza is almost similar to using a bus. Both are forms of land transportation, but using a train is usually slower, and many people agree with this. However, you would get more time to appreciate the views and nature when you use a train as your desired means of transportation. The best thing for anyone to do when using a train is to engage in other activities like reading a book or playing games to whirl away time.

Train in Mendoza

Hitchhiking

While the locals are quite friendly and hospitable and hitchhiking is a common practice in many parts of the world, it is not common to encounter hitchhikers in Mendoza. Hitchhiking is very much in vogue in the city, but you have to be careful when choosing the right person. Most drivers are naturally wary of picking up strangers, fearing carrying robbers and carjackers. While there are exceptional cases of drivers who would be okay with offering one a lift, most of them would not, especially when driving at night.

Others

Another means of getting into Mendoza is through cruise ships or ferries. We usually see this when a group of tourists decides to visit the city. In such cases, it would be that they have a tour guide waiting for them, and they are ready to have an adventurous experience. If you have never been on a ferry, it may be time to check for those who wish to visit Mendoza around you so that you all would use it as a means of transportation to the city.

Moving Around

These modes of transportations are efficient in helping you move around the city and discover the city's hidden gems. If you wish to travel, then the best option at your disposal are public transports such as trains, available buses, and electronic vehicles. Walking is an alternative mode of moving around but is the healthiest and cheapest mode.

Walk

Despite numerous attempts to decongest the city, including increasing the parking cost in town and banning public service vehicles from accessing certain parts of the town center, the streets have continued congested. Away from the city and into the residential suburbs boasts of many trees along many avenues that provide shade and fresh air as you stroll along. Walking is the most eco-friendly means of transport but also because of the traffic jam. As the city has rapidly grown, Mendoza has become known for its unending traffic jams.

Bicycle

We have noticed that some people prefer using bicycles to move around, which does not change when they are in a new city. The question on their mind is usually where or how they can rent a bicycle, and if it is safe to use it on the city's roads. If Mendoza is your destination city, you should have no worries about cycling around in the city as the roads are in an excellent state, assuring you of your safety. As a plus, you should also rent helmets when you are renting a bicycle as one can never be too safe.

Electronic Vehicles

The process of using an electronic bike is almost similar to using a bicycle as the excellent roads assure you of your safety. This does not mean that you should go around on top speed as you always need to be careful. As part of safety procedures and guidelines, anyone who desires to use an electronic bike should always ensure that they are wearing a helmet as it is better to be safe than to be sorry. The feeling you get while moving around on a bike is soothing and one of a kind, making it understandable why many people desire to use one. It will help if you have a map with you while using a bike not to lose your way while moving around.

Public Bus

Using a public bus is the most standard means of moving around in Mendoza, and the advantage is that it is cheaper than other forms or means of transportation you would find. However, it would help if you understand Cyrillic as most bus signs are written in it, making it confusing for foreigners. Tourists usually depend on the locals' help for understanding when it comes to languages and signs that they do not understand.

Public bus in Mendoza

Tram, Train and Subway

If you do not like to wait in traffic while exploring the city, then the best option is to move around the city by train. High-speed trains are prevalent in this city, helping you move from place to place very fast. You will be able to stop at all the famous points at a reasonable price, and there is no traffic or signals that will interrupt you. You will be able to get more than one railway station in the range of this city. Trains are quite frequent, and you do not have to wait much for one to arrive. Taking trains will help you get the best experience traveling the city very comfortably without any interruptions.

Sustainable Shopping

Many travelers choose sustainable shopping instead of fresh ones to help the environment and nature. As an eco-friendly traveler, it is your responsibility to use items like second-hand products, eco fashion, and others to save your money and help lower waste production. Sustainable shopping is a great way to get some of the best products at a low price. Mendoza's local people are adopting sustainable shopping very well, and tourists will not face any difficulty finding these stores. There are many different markets where you can visit to have all of these items. Here are some of the details about those markets given below that will help you to know more.

Food Markets

Without visiting the food market, you will not be able to get the city's best experience. If you are a food lover, then you will feel like you are in heaven. There are many different food markets where you can visit and do your shipping. You will get some of the local and unique food that is not available in other places. Make sure to have some local street foods from the small stalls in these food markets.

Flea Markets

For many travelers, the flea market is the best place to spend their money and take some of the best things home at a low price. There are many old flea markets in the city that are popular in the nearby cities. From night markets today ones, every type of market is available in the city. Exploring the flea markets will help you very much to know about the life of local people. Buying items from these flea stores will help the local people very much to continue their work. Many people are dependent on tourism, and you can support them.

Second Hand Stores

Second-hand markets are now evolving all around the world. You will find most of the stores very crowded and filled with quality items. Mendoza is no different, and second-hand markets have grown very well in the last few years. The local people have started to shop for these second-hand products and the tourists, which made these markets very crowded.

Eco-Fashion

Eco-fashion is one of the best ways that you can use to contribute to nature. As an eco-friendly tourist, you will get the best fashion collection that produces zero pollution and helps the environment stay clean. Most of these fashions are made with eco-friendly materials and herbal ingredients. Local people have started to adopt these fashions, which tested in getting many branded and non-branded eco-fashion stores in the area. Many shops have developed over the years to provide the best eco-fashion to customers.

Recycling

Recycling occurs in Mendoza, and some of the people are passionate about it. One of the most typical things they recycle in this city is bottles. It could be glass or plastic, but it is always recycled, especially as many people buy bottled water. The idea is to ensure that the city stays clean and innovative as they can make other useful things from the recycled items.By subscribing to recycling while in Mendoza, you are an eco-friendly tourist.

Waste

Mendoza is not the dirtiest city globally, but they need to put in more effort when it comes to waste management. The government and many organizations advocate against littering as they strive to keep the city clean always and avoid health issues. However, some people are stubborn and usually violating such advocates. It may be that strict laws need to be put in place for them to comply, but we urge all foreigners to ensure that they effectively manage their waste by disposing them only at designated areas.

Work and Study Abroad

If you are an international student who wishes to work while studying in Mendoza, it is possible. The government advocates that you do it during your free time, not to affect your studies. Also, the locals do not discriminate and are willing to pay international students adequately if they effectively render their services. It is left to you to know how to balance your school and work schedule so that none is affected. We advocate that your studies should be the main priority.

Exchange Student

The exchange student is one of the trending concepts that earned a lot of popularity quickly. It helps the students from another country to get into a foreign university and continue their studies. Many universities and colleges in Mendoza city have this facility available, and they are well connected or partners with other universities in different countries. However, the home institution will need to be nominated for an exchange student to get this opportunity. Also, you have to pay the tuition fee in the home university to enter it successfully. Once you are in, you will be able to study at a university in partnership with your home institution.

Au Pair

Au Pair is one of the best ways of getting your study done in a foreign city while earning money. It helps the students or foreigners to explore the city and help out local people. You will be shocked to know how many people in this city desperately need Au Pairs. This is a give-and-take process where you will be taking care of a child or older adult for a limited time in exchange for shelter, food, and some money. Taking care of the baby or older people might not be easy because of the family members' busy schedules.

Volunteering

There are hundreds of organizations in Mendoza that provide volunteering options. Suppose you wish to indulge in a volunteering act while in the city, you would not have difficulty getting any. Volunteering is a way of you helping and giving back to society. It is not done out of force, but because you are passionate about the cause. It is common to see people desire to be volunteers in Mendoza, and it is best to attach yourself to an organization to make the process easier. Engaging in volunteering activities while in the city shows that you are a responsible tourist.