Tourism in Malargüe

The name Malargüe comes from the Mapudungun word «Mal-Al-Hue», meaning «place of cliffs» or «rock corrals». These lands were inhabited for thousands of years by indigenous peoples who left their mark in caves, petroglyphs and the region's place names. The Pehuenche people, skilled experts of the territory, traveled these valleys and mountains making use of the natural resources of the Andes and the steppe.

The official founding of the department dates back to 1886, when it was established as an administrative district of the province of Mendoza. For decades, the main activities were extensive goat farming and mining. Geographic isolation forged a resilient community with a unique cultural identity, a blend of Creole and Mapuche traditions reflected in its gastronomy, folk festivals and way of life.

From the second half of the 20th century, Malargüe began its transformation toward tourism with the opening of the Las Leñas ski resort in 1983 and the installation of the Pierre Auger Observatory in 1999. Today it is a destination that combines its rich historical heritage with a modern tourism offer, where the tradition of spit-roasted goat coexists with cutting-edge science and adventure in landscapes that seem from another planet.