Los Antiguos is a small town of 3,500 inhabitants in northwest Santa Cruz province, on the south shore of Lake Buenos Aires — the largest lake entirely in Argentina (1,850 km², shared with Chile where it is called Lago General Carrera). Latitude 46.5°S. Just 5 km from the Chile Chico border crossing into Chile, it is one of the most strategic stopovers on the Patagonian Route 40. The town is famously known as the "cherry capital of Argentina", accounting for 60% of national cherry production thanks to a unique microclimate created by Lake Buenos Aires (mild summers, low humidity, abundant sun) ideal for stone fruit. The cherry harvest runs late December through January, when fresh cherries are picked at the local chacras (farms) at USD 4-8/kg, juice and chocolate-covered cherries are sold along Avenida 11 de Julio, and the Fiesta Nacional de la Cereza (National Cherry Festival, every January) brings fairs, music and tastings with thousands of visitors. Beyond cherries, Los Antiguos is the main gateway to two world-class attractions: Cueva de las Manos (the UNESCO rock-art site 176 km south, with daily tours USD 110-130), and the Marble Caves at Lake General Carrera in Chile (75 km southwest, day-trip via Chile Chico border), considered one of the most photographed natural wonders of South America. Other activities include kayaking and fly fishing on Lake Buenos Aires, trekking to Mount Zeballos (2,700m, 4x4 access plus 4-6h trek), visits to the Monte Ceballos Provincial Reserve and short hikes along the Jeinimeni River. Lodging ranges from camping (USD 8-15/pax) to mid-range hostels (USD 35-65/double) and a few boutique cabanas (USD 90-150) along the lakefront. The closest commercial airport is Comodoro Rivadavia (CRD, 540 km / 7h by car) but most visitors arrive overland on Route 40 as part of multi-day Patagonian road trips. Los Antiguos is the kind of town that feels far from anywhere — yet sits at the crossroads of Argentine UNESCO heritage and the Chilean Andes.
Getting there — distances & times
| From | Distance | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Chile Chico (Chile border) | 5 km | 10 min |
| Perito Moreno town | 60 km | 50 min |
| Cueva de las Manos | 176 km | 3 h (last stretch gravel) |
| Marble Caves (Chile) | 75 km | 1 h 30 |
| Comodoro Rivadavia | 540 km | 7 h |
| El Calafate | 1000 km | 12 h |
| Bariloche | 1170 km | 14 h (full Route 40) |
Typical prices by category
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Hostel double room | USD 35-65 |
| Hotel 3★ double | USD 70-110 |
| Boutique cabin (lake view) | USD 90-150 |
| Camping per person | USD 8-15 |
| Fresh cherries (kg, harvest) | USD 4-8 |
| Lake-view restaurant lunch | USD 18-28 |
| Cueva de las Manos full-day tour | USD 110-130 |
| Marble Caves day trip (Chile) | USD 80-130 |
| Kayak rental (half day) | USD 25-40 |
| Mount Zeballos 4x4 + trek | USD 130-180 |
2026 rates. Cherry prices peak in early January, drop in late January as harvest declines.
Cherries — The Iconic Crop
Los Antiguos cherries are sold in three ways:
- Fresh, picked at chacras: December-January at USD 4-8/kg. Many chacras have visitor programs where you walk the rows and pick your own fruit. Recommended: Chacra El Cipres, Chacra Don Olivo, Chacra Los Manantiales.
- Cherry products: jams, juice, liqueur, syrup, chocolate-covered. Found in town stores year-round. Local brand Frutas del Lago is well-known.
- Cherry Festival (January): Annual fair with music, gastronomy, tastings, beauty pageant. Hotels fully book — reserve months ahead.
Lake Buenos Aires Activities
Lake Buenos Aires is binational — Argentina shares it with Chile. From Los Antiguos:
- Lakefront walk: 3 km path along Avenida 11 de Julio. Sunset is exceptional with the Andes in the background.
- Kayaking: rentals USD 25-40/half day. Calm waters in summer (December-February) but watch the wind from the west.
- Fly fishing: trout. License required (USD 25/day foreigners). Recommended guides at the tourist office.
- Beach in summer: Lake Buenos Aires has volcanic black-sand beaches. Water 12-16°C in January.
- Photo points: Mirador del Cerro La Bandera, Bahía de los Picos.
Border Crossing to Chile (Chile Chico)
The Paso Río Jeinimeni border is 5 km from Los Antiguos. Operates 24 hours. Procedure:
- Argentine Migration office: ID/passport stamp out.
- Argentine Customs: vehicle export form (if rental, special permission needed).
- Chilean Migration office: passport stamp in, tourist card.
- Chilean SAG (agriculture): NO meat, dairy, fruits or vegetables — strict, fines USD 200+. Eat all leftover food before crossing.
- Chilean Customs: vehicle import form.
Total crossing time: 30 min to 1.5h depending on traffic. Bring cash for road tolls. Coordinate cross-border insurance with your rental car company in Argentina (typical USD 30-50 supplement).
Tours and Excursions
Cueva de las Manos Full Day
Transfer Los Antiguos round trip, guided UNESCO site visit, box lunch, optional canyon trail. Small group.
Marble Caves Day Trip (Chile)
Border crossing to Chile Chico, drive to Puerto Río Tranquilo, boat into the marble caves. Lunch and Chilean SAG paperwork handled.
Mount Zeballos 4x4 + Trek
4x4 ride to base of Mount Zeballos (2,700m), 4-6h guided trek to summit, lake views. Full day with lunch.
Suggested Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Los Antiguos. Lakefront walk, sunset at Mirador La Bandera. Dinner at lake-view restaurant (Hotel Antigua Patagonia, Restaurant Mirando al Lago).
- Day 2: Full-day Cueva de las Manos excursion (8:00 departure). Return at 19:00.
- Day 3: Cherry picking morning (December-February) OR Mount Zeballos 4x4 + trek. Afternoon: lake kayaking or fly fishing.
- Day 4 (optional): Border crossing to Chile + Marble Caves day trip.
See also: Cueva de las Manos, Patagonian Route 40, El Chaltén, El Calafate.
