The 5 nature reserves in Mendoza that are growing in visits and will take your breath away

“Aconcagua Park has been recording an increase in the total number of visits for several seasons. To account for this, it is enough to mention that from November 1, 2022 to October 30, 2023 -twelve months- 440,000 people entered Aconcagua, and a similar figure, to Puente de Inca. This year, according to the latest report, we are around the same numbers or more,” summarized the Undersecretary of the Environment, Sebastián Melchor.

In this last summer season, From November 1, 2023 to May 5, 2024, 221,951 tourists entered, and a similar number to Puente de Inca. Although the number of ascents to the hill has remained stable for several seasons, it is perceived much increase in tourist activitiesthat is, the large flow of visitors that enters the Laguna de Horcones circuit, the Horcones Valley and the Visitor Center.

Aconcagua Provincial Park It is the protected natural area of ​​Mendoza about which the most queries are registered. Due to its proximity –180 km from the City of Mendoza- and its easy access via International Route 7–, in addition to mountain climbers, it usually receives general tourists who can visit the Laguna de Horcones circuit throughout the year.

“The auspicious growth figures for visits to our reserves are not coincidental, but the consequence of systematic work that we have been doing in the Province from the Directorate of Protected Areas, with the park rangers and the entire group of tourism providers, in a constant effort to improve the quality of services and infrastructure for public use,” said the Undersecretary of Environment.

And he added: “Also, from Environment, we coordinate our management with the Mendoza Tourism Entity and the municipalities, which undoubtedly gives results and strengthens us institutionally to continue advancing in all the improvements to be implemented in the short and medium term.” And he added: “Also, from Environment, we coordinate our management with the Mendoza Tourism Entity and the municipalities, which undoubtedly gives results and strengthens us institutionally to continue advancing in all the improvements to be implemented in the short and medium term.”

Diamond Lagoon

Another of the protected natural areas of high interest for the tourism –for its extraordinary natural, landscape, historical and archaeological attractions– it is Diamond Lagoonin the department of San Carlos.

In this reserve – which has a summer season subject to the climatic variations of the High Mountains – There was also an upward curve in income compared to the previous season..

In 71 days of season, 6,756 people entered for different public use activities in 2,104 vehicles.. Comparing with the 2022/2023 season, The income of current people grew 21.88%. All this, taking into account that this 2023-2024 season had 37 days less than the previous one.

Witches Cavern

Also The reserves of the southern province have achieved increasing numbers of visitor arrivalsconsidering the records of the Protected Natural Areas Ticket Sales System ( on-line), without adding the contingents or student groups, which are managed through the Malargüe Tourism Directorate.

The Protected Natural Area Witches Cavern It is one of the ones that has grown the most annually in the last four years. While in 2021 2,209 visitors entered, in 2022 the number quintupled and rose to 11,422. The number of entrants in 2023 was 14,066 and this year – from January to April 8 – 7,411 were registered. If this level of income is maintained until the end of the year, a considerable increase in visits would also be reported.

The Payunia

La Payunia – which has a site proposed as candidate for World Natural Heritage– is achieving greater dissemination and positioning at a national and international level, which is reflected in the growing curve of visitors in the last four years. While 5,511 entered in 2021, the following year the number rose to 7,267. In 2023, another increase was also recorded, with 7,564 entering the protected area. But now, So far in 2024 – a measurement that covers from January 1 to April 8 – the figure reached 3,426 visitors. In this way, the upcoming annual projection foresees another increasing figure.

Llancanelo Wetland

Finally, the Llancanelo Wetland Protected Natural Area also showed sustained growth in visitors in the last four years. According to data provided by the Directorate of Protected Areas in the Southern Zone, these were the comparative income numbers for the last four years:

• 2021: 146 entries
• 2022: 167 entries
• 2023: 206 revenues
• 2024: 380 revenues

To visit the protected natural areas, the reservation and the entrance ticket must be managed through the website of the Undersecretariat of the Environment.

You may also be interested in reading: Las Leñas: the reason for the impact of the Cóndor Pass on the people of Mendoza