National park · Argentina
Cueva de las Manos
Visit Cueva de las Manos: take the guided short trail (≈1 h) for ARS 250 entry, best in Oct–Apr; avoid midday summer (Dec–Feb) crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1993
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 9Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Argentina ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Argentina's National Migration Directorate (Migraciones) or an Argentine consulate before booking.
- Argentina ↗Since April 2025 the official, MEP and street ('blue') dollar rates sit within a few percent of each other; a foreign card is usually the best-value way to pay, while ATM withdrawals carry high fixed fees. Rules have changed often — check before you fly.
- Argentina ↗Patagonia (El Calafate, El Chaltén, Ushuaia) is a November–March trip; in winter many services close and hiking is limited.
- Argentina ↗Since August 2026 non-resident foreigners must show insurance or pay for non-urgent care at nationally run public hospitals, and Buenos Aires City, Mendoza, Salta, Jujuy and Santa Cruz charge visitors for scheduled care; emergencies are still treated. Travel with medical insurance — check the current rules.
- Patagonia (Argentina) ↗Wind is the main planning constraint: spring (Sep–Nov) is the windiest, and exposed trails, boats and flights can be delayed.
- Patagonia (Argentina) ↗Book long-distance buses several days ahead in summer; seats sell out around Christmas, New Year and mid-January.
At a glance
- Country
- Argentina
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Approximate protected area is 0.5 km² (check).
- Established
- 1993
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Cueva de las Manos, in the Río Pinturas canyon of Santa Cruz, Patagonia, protects a world‑renowned rock‑art site with hand stencils dating back thousands of years, set in a stark desert landscape with limited flora and wildlife.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1999Cueva de las Manos, Río Pinturas
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1993
Approximate protected area is 0.5 km² (check).
Why go
- See the iconic hand stencils and ancient rock art spanning 7,000–1,000 BC.
- Explore a remote Patagonian canyon with striking geology and wildlife.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecCaution
- JanSummer heat; paintings fade in strong sun.
- FebSame as Jan.
- MarMild, sunny, fewer tourists.
- AprCooler, clear days.
- MayCool, occasional rain.
- JunCold, possible snow.
- JulCold, road conditions may worsen.
- AugCold, limited services.
- SepSpring warming, good visibility.
- OctMild, clear, ideal for photos.
- NovWarm, dry, good lighting.
- DecSummer peak; midday sun hides paintings.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GuanacosSep–May · Common in the canyon. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Rheas, foxes, hares, armadillos, pumas (rare)Sep–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Perito Moreno
Drive 30 km (19 mi) on unpaved road to the park gate; 4WD recommended in winter.Drive 19 mi (30 km) on unpaved road to the park gate; 4WD recommended in winter.
≈45 min
From El Calafate
Bus to Perito Moreno (≈5 h) then drive; organized tours available.
≈6–7 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Portal Cueva de las Manos | Visitor centre, parking, guided trail to the cave. | Open with guide permit. |
| Cañadón Pinturas Canyon | Surrounding canyon trails and campsites. | Access roads unpaved; 4WD recommended. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are the approximate centre of the protected area.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (guided group) | ARS 250 | person | Includes helmet and guide; price 2026 estimate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Guided visit permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- All visits must be with a licensed guide.
- Helmets
- Protective helmets are mandatory inside the cave.
- Touching
- Do not touch paintings or rock surfaces.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites; no wild camping near the cave.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited outside designated fire pits.
Where to stay
Near the park
La Posta de los Toldos
Hostería with rooms, restaurant, and guide services.
Near the park
Camping La Señalada
Yurt‑style shelters and basic campsites.
Near the park
Perito Moreno town
Hotels, hostels, and services; 30 km (19 mi) drive to site.Hotels, hostels, and services; 19 mi (30 km) drive to site.
Safety
Remote location medium
Rockfall low
Cold evenings low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre reachable by car; short trail has uneven stone steps, not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in designated campsites; pack out all waste.
- Do not purchase souvenirs made from rock fragments.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cueva de las Manos?
Entry is ARS 250 per person, includes a guide, helmet, and access to the cave.
What are the best hikes in Cueva de las Manos?
The short guided trail to the hand‑stencil chamber (1 h) and the longer canyon hike to Alero Charcamata (4–5 h) are the main options.
When is the best time to visit Cueva de las Manos?
Shoulder months Oct–Apr offer mild weather and clear visibility; avoid midday summer (Dec–Feb) when the sun washes out the paintings.
Do I need a guide?
Yes, all visitors must be with a licensed guide; permits are sold at the visitor centre.
Can I camp near the cave?
Only in designated campsites such as Camping La Señalada; wild camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Cueva de las Manos
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