Park or nature areaOutline guide

Cueva de las Manos

Cave with paintings in Santa Cruz, Argentina

Photo: LuigiStudio, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Cueva de las Manos, Spanish for cave of the hands, is a natural and cultural monument in Patagonia, of southwest Argentina, in the province of Santa Cruz. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 and contains the most famous cave paintings of southern South America.

Getting there and around

Getting there

The best way to get there is via the small town of Perito Moreno. This is connected to the LADE flight network and the bus network (good connections to Comodoro Rivadavia, the nearest major airport).

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Getting around

The access roads to the cave are not paved. There is one from Bajo Caracoles, a tiny town 30 km west of the cave, and one directly from Perito Moreno.

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Airports and nearby hotels

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Perito Moreno Jalil Hamer Airport

Perito Moreno · Regional · PMQ

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Read before you go to Cueva de las Manos

Articles and travel topics about Cueva de las Manos and Argentina.

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Itineraries

National Route 40 (Argentina)

At a length of 5,224 km (3,246 mi), and stretching the whole mainland part of the country, the Ruta Nacional 40 is the longest national highway of Argentina and a popular travel itinerary.

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Nature & adventure

Caves

Since antiquity, humans have been using, living in, or hiding in caves, and our fascination with them is just as old.

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Full travel guide

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UnderstandThe cave discovered by a monk in 1941 is located in the canyon of the Río Pinturas, about 80 km south of the small town of Perito Moreno.

Get inThe best way to get there is via the small town of Perito Moreno. This is connected to the LADE flight network and the bus network (good connections to Comodoro Rivadavia, the nearest major airport).

Fees and permitsIt is open all year. Tours at each full hour between 09:00 and 19:00.

Get aroundThe access roads to the cave are not paved. There is one from Bajo Caracoles, a tiny town 30 km west of the cave, and one directly from Perito Moreno.

SeeDepending on the style, the paintings are divided into three groups, which are labeled with the letters A, B, and C.

BuyThere is a visitor center, where souvenirs and sundries can be bought. Otherwise supplies are available in Perito Moreno or Bajo Caracoles.

EatPerito Moreno has a few restaurants, none are in Bajo Caracoles.

DrinkThere are no public bars at the archaeological site.

SleepAccommodation immediately around Cueva de las Manos is limited but now includes a hostería, several designated campsites, motorhome facilities and simple yurt-style shelters.

Stay safeThe site is remote, with limited mobile reception and long distances to fuel, mechanical assistance and medical care. Fill the tank and obtain supplies in Perito Moreno before entering the area.

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Cueva de las Manos" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Cueva de las Manos", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: LuigiStudio, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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