Welcome to La Pampa
Tourism in La Pampa: What Can You Do in This Province?
In the Quechua language, ‘Pampa’ means limitless area, plain, or extensive flatland. This is La Pampa: a wonderful Argentinian province rich in valleys, plateaus, lagoons, native forests, caves, springs, and fertile grassland. It’s the home of native peoples, gauchos, exotic fauna, autochthonous flora, and unforgettable landscapes.
Widen your horizon
Rivers and plains, rock formations and hills, caves and water springs, mountains and creeks, cities and villages. Discover amazing unparalleled landscapes and native stories. Get a close look at the Pampean culture. Surprise yourself with the payada, a poetic and musical genre based on oral improvisation accompanied by guitar. Discover the We Tripantu, the celebration of each new solar cycle by the ranquel communities. Taste the local food: asado with the hide, fried topolini and homemade filled canederli.
Walk around tourist cities and ranches. Visit protected natural areas. Walk and ride along stone roads. Get through forests of calden trees and watch the varied wildlife. Explore archeological sites, cultural circuits and theme parks. Go kayaking and canoeing, kitesurfing and sailing, kiteboarding and water skiing. Do you prefer gliding? Fly gliders or paragliders. Tour the Lihué Calel National Park. La Pampa is waiting for you.
About La Pampa
Abundant nature and culture
About the Province
La Pampa’s culture is shaped by the first inhabitants, who left their cave paintings, several aboriginal peoples, and the traditions of gauchos, recognised for being the bravest, most adventurous, and skilled horsemen in the universe. The most traditional customs, history, the countryside, the immense paramo, dazzling views, wild animals, and birds will welcome you in La Pampa.
Must-see Attractions
Santa Rosa: a Tour around the Capital of La Pampa
Full of avenues, murals, majestic tourist estates, restaurants, museums and theatres, the city of Santa Rosa is a stop you can’t miss when visiting this province.
The Enchanted Salt Flat
Also known as Gran Salitral or Salina Grande, it is one of the largest salt flats in the world. Inhospitable, extensive, and mysterious, it is the home of hundreds of species of native fauna, such as pumas, maras, and turtles.
Pichi Mahuida Nature Reserve
In this protected natural area, find forests, mountains, grassland, and calm rivers: the perfect natural place for bird watching or kayaking.
Parque Luro Nature Reserve
It is no wonder why this reserve was declared a Natural, Historical and Cultural Heritage of Argentina. In just one place, this tourist treasure offers history, landscapes, wild deer and boars, carriage tours, and even a huge old house turned into a museum.
Wine Route in La Pampa
Visit fantastic wineries and vineyards along the Colorado River, an oasis in the middle of the desert in La Pampa, where the most delicious scarlet drink springs up.
Trekking in Lihué Calel
Walk amid the valleys inside the Lihué Calel National Park, follow the traces of the first peoples, and enjoy the view at the top of Asociación Científica Argentina Hill, the highest spot in this natural reserve.
What’s the climate and temperature in La Pampa?
La Pampa is characterised by a temperate and semi-arid climate. Although it is one of the coldest provinces, temperatures can exceed 30 °C in summer. Its average annual temperature is 24 °C.
What is the best time to visit La Pampa?
The best time to come to this province is during summer, from December to February, when it is warmer. The atmosphere is filled with soft warm breezes, and you can do all kinds of water activities and sports.
What animals can be found in the Pampas plain?
The Pampas plain is the refuge of thousands of native Argentinian species, such as pumas, rheas, Pampas deer, southern mountain cavies, big hairy armadillos, South American grey fox, wild boars, frogs, and lizards. In addition, almost 40% of the country’s bird species live here, among which you can find hawks, eagles, and Andean tinamous.
Where does the Desert Route start?
The Desert Route is a section of the Provincial Route 20 of La Pampa, which connects Buenos Aires and southern Argentina. For almost 300 kilometres of straight road, crossing the Patagonian steppe, there are no service stations. It begins at kilometre 204 from the capital. Taking this route is quite an experience because of the history, tales, and legends around it. Yet, it is very important to rest before setting off. If you didn’t, you will see hundreds of signs on the side of the road reminding you about that.
Activities