This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Las Grutas.
Las Grutas, “The Caves,” is a beautiful beach resort town located in the Patagonia, in Argentina’s Río Negro province. Since the village’s tourism industry began to flourish in the 1980s, 400,000 tourists now visit this tropical paradise each summer to enjoy the warm beaches and stunning landscapes.
The area is also known for the caves that give Las Grutas its name. Carved into the cliffs that separate the city of Las Grutas from the sandy beaches, these caves are filled with pools of water that change with the tides, resulting in calm, warm areas for visitors to enjoy a dip in the water. The beaches here are some of the most popular along the Atlantic Ocean, as these caves help keep the water warm and the wind down.
Accommodations here are varied, as the town is a popular tourist destination. You can find hostels and hotels, luxury resorts, and even vacation rentals. During the high season, from December to February, visitors are reminded to book in advance – as this is a favored holiday destination for people from all over Patagonia.
Everything in Las Grutas is located within a few city blocks, so from your hostel or hotel, you can access markets, restaurants, shopping, and beaches. Many of the town’s cantinas offer fresh seafood dishes prepared with prawns and octopus. Travelers can enjoy water sports like swimming, snorkeling, or surfing, or explore the beach on horseback.
Most tourists arrive in Las Grutas by bus, although you can find flights to the nearby towns of San Antonion Oeste and Viedma before catching a shuttle or taxi to your local hotel or hostel in Las Grutas. There is also a train service that runs to San Antonio Oeste, but trains in Argentina aren’t particularly reliable, so visitors are recommended to have a backup transportation plan in place.
Written by local enthusiast for Las Grutas hostels
Jakob Lombardi