CAPILLA DEL MONTE | 11 Best Things to do

Are you curious about Capilla del Monte, Argentina’s UFO Obsessed town? This is your ultimate Capilla del Monte guide for what to do, where to stay, and how to get there.

Capilla del Monte is the hippy town of the Córdoba Province. There is a magical energy here, assisted by the tallest peaks in the high sierras that hover over the town: Cerro Uritorco and Cerro Las Gemelas, both of which you can climb.

I’ve been wanting to come to Capilla since I first heard about it two years ago, and I’m so glad I finally had the chance to make it. It was even better than I expected. I had no idea there was this much nature, and this many Cordoba Argentina activities near this small town.

I spent one entire week in Capilla del Monte and never ran out of things to do. You could probably spend an entire month here and not get bored.

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Where is Capilla del Monte located?

Capilla del Monte is located in the north of the Córdoba province, which is in the center of Argentina. It is about 3 hours north of Córdoba Capital. You can find Capilla del Monte at the base of Cerro Uritorco. It is in the northern part of the Punilla Valley which stretches all the way down to Villa Icho Cruz and Carlos Paz.

Mapa Capilla del Monte

What does Capilla del Monte mean?

Capilla del Monte translates to “Chapel of the Mountain.” This makes sense once you come here and stare out over Cerro Uritorco, the tallest peak in the high sierras of Córdoba. Capilla del Monte is known for its magical energy and attracts people from all over the country wishing to lead more spiritual lives.

Cerro Uritorco represents masculine energy, whereas the twin mountains just next to it, Las Gemelas, represent feminine energy.

What is the Vibe of Capilla del Monte?

As you walk around this cute little town you’ll find people who are interested in alternative ways of life. You can find posters everywhere advertising meditation groups, acupuncture, yoga classes, and energy healing sessions. Of course, you will also find lots of dreadlocks, crystal shops, and incense sellers too.

Capilla del Monte Things to do

Capilla del Monte is a small town in the middle of the best nature that the Córdoba province has to offer. For being such a small town, you can easily keep yourself busy here for a month or more. You can easily see everything there is to see in the city itself in just one day, but the real treasures lie outside of the downtown.

The map below is from the municipality of Capilla del Monte. You can download it to see if closer, or zoom in. It shows you several places to visit in and around Capilla del Monte, along with a key showing which places have a fee, require a guide, etc.

1. Visit the Markets

Like most small towns in Argentina, Capilla del Monte also has its fair share of craft and artisan markets. There are two main markets in town.

Feria de Artesanos

The artisan market is in Plaza San Martin, the main square in the center of Capilla del Monte. It occurs on weekend evenings (Saturday & Sunday), starting around 5-6 pm, and goes until late in the evening. During the high season, the market occurs every day from 7 pm-midnight. In December, there were very few stands and vendors.

Train Station Market

This is a small market that is directly next to the train station, which doubles as the tourist information office. It occurs every Friday and Saturday, starting around noon and going until the early evening.

2. Relax at the Balneario Calabalumba

The River Calabalumba passes through the northern part of the city. At the Balneario Calabalumba, you can find a green area next to the river with picnic benches, camping sites, and a massive outdoor swimming pool with spring water.

In the off-season, it is not full, but in summer (January-February) it is a very popular swimming spot. This is considered the “Capilla del Monte beach.”

3. Investigate Aliens at the Centro de Informes OVNI

This is the “UFO Reporting Center” on the edge of town. Capilla del Monte is famous for claims of seeing alien life, so it is only fitting there would be an alien information center. It costs 1500 pesos to enter. The truth is, I didn’t go here because after reading the reviews on Google, I wasn’t in the mood to be lectured in Spanish by the owner.

UFO = OVNI

Unidentified Flying Object = Objeto Volador No Identificado

4. Stroll under the Calle Techada

The “Calle Techada” is the “roofed street.” It is a tin roof that covers one of the main streets in town, about one block long. It is supposedly the only covered street in South America, and Capilla del Monte is very proud of this fact. Underneath the roofed street, you can find restaurants, cafes, and shops. It’s just a regular street with a roof over it.

5. Parroquia San Antonio de Padua

This old church parish is next to the Balneario Calabalumba. It is a beautiful old stone building on the corner. The inside is simple but charming.

6. Climb Cerro Uritorco

Cerro Uritorco on AllTrails.

This is the highest peak in the high sierras of the Córdoba province, and the most famous landmark in Capilla del Monte. Unfortunately, it is on private land and the owners have started charging to climb it. The current price, as of December 2024 is 30,000 pesos ($30).

They are strict about when you start the hike, and the cut-off is 11 am. After that they will not allow you to climb. When you enter the base area, you need to cross the small bridge, register at the building, and pay your fee. Half way up, you’ll need to check-in with the ranger who will decide if you have enough time to finish hiking before 2:30pm.

If you don’t want to climb, you can still enjoy the activities around the base of Cerro Uritorco: Camping, picnicking, hiking other trails, swimming, and go shopping (there are several vendors).

7. Hike to Dique Los Alazanes

Los Alazanes Dam Trail on AllTrails.

This hike starts at the base of Uritorco. In theory, it is required to hire a guide to walk to the Alazanes Dam, however, it is not necessary. There is nobody there forcing you to hire a guide, and you can easily follow the correct path on the AllTrails app. The trail is a 14km (out and back) hike along the river. It takes about 3 hours to walk each way.

8. Hike the Cerro Las Gemelas

Sendero Agua de los Palos – Las Gemelas on AllTrails.

Like Cerro Uritorco, the Cerro Las Gemelas is on private property. It is run by the restaurant/recreational club, Agua de los Palos. In the off-season, it is only open Thursday – Sunday from 10 am – 7 pm. But in January and February, it is open every day with extended hours. The fee in December 2024 was 8100 pesos ($8).

In the summer months, there is also a massive swimming pool on the property. You can spend the whole day there easily.

You can walk to Agua de los Palos from the town center, but it will take about one hour. Once you reach the restaurant at Agua de los Palos, you need to register with Paula and pay the entrance fee. She will provide you with whatever you need- walking sticks, a cap, a bandana, etc. Paula will also explain the route and how to go up.

It took me 1.5 hours to climb up and 1 hour to go down, and I spent one hour up top. Once I reached the base again, I had a snack at the restaurant, which was delicious. They also have several breakfast options if you want to eat before going up.

9. Climb on the rocks at Paso del Indio and Los Mogotes

This is more of a rest area than a giant hiking area, but it is beautiful and worth a visit. It’s not far from the center of Capilla del Monte. You can bike walk, bike, or drive there. I rented a bike and it took me about 20 minutes to reach the entrance from the center of Capilla del Monte. It’s on the other side of the highway, and down a dirt road.

@nickipoststravelstuff

How to get to Paso del Indio

♬ green to blue (Sped Up) – Aurenth

You have to pay 2000 pesos ($2) when you first enter. The Mogotes rest area is to the right, and the Paso del Indio trail is to the left. There are white arrows and it’s easy to follow. You’ll climb through and over giant slippery boulders. The last section is extremely narrow and you’ll need to fit between two giant flat slabs of rock to climb up.

Once you reach the top you’ll be treated to beautiful views looking down.

10. Admire the views at the Dique el Cajón

The Dique del Cajón is a large dam that looks more like a lake. You can reach the dam by following several dirt roads off the main highway. You’ll pass be several small paths that lead to the dam where fishermen have set up for the day.

The focal point of the dam is at the Parador el Faro, which is a small rest stop selling choripan, hamburgers, soda, and beer. They rent kayaks and have a swimming pool in the summer. There is a large dirt parking area where people can park and relax for the day.

11. Take a Trip to Los Terrones

Los Terrones – El Cuarzo vía Circuito Corto Trail on AllTrails.

You can sign up with one of the travel agencies in town. In December 2024, I paid 14,000 pesos ($14) for the trip which included a guide (in Spanish) and transportation. You also have to pay the 12,000 peso ($12) entrance fee once you arrive to Los Terrones. When I went to Los Terrones, the trip was from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

Once we arrived at Los Terrones, there were two paths: Short and long. The short trail is about 15 minutes round-trip. At the end of the trail, you can find a crystal hanging tall between two poles. The long trail takes 2 hours and it is required to go with a guide. It should take less than 2 hours, but the guide walks extremely slowly.

It is a giant loop. Near the end of the loop, you reach the peak where you can look out and see the landscape. Even if you drive your own vehicle there, you still have to pay the 12,000 pesos entrance fee and take a guide, even though a guide is completely unnecessary in my opinion.

The company I went on the trip with:
Nahuan Turismo Activo: nahuanturismo@gmail.com
You can find their office next to the taxi station/bike rental shop across the street from the main plaza.

Use AllTrails+ in Capilla del Monte

There are so many hiking trails in the area, that I strongly suggest downloading the maps in advance for the trails you plan to hike. This has helped me so many times while hiking. You can download maps on Google, Maps.me, or AllTrails+.

I use AllTrails Plus when I go hiking. I highly recommend it as you can download offline maps, and send out “lifelines” to friends and family to let them know exactly where you are. You can rate trails, and get inspired to try new ones. The membership is $35/year, but with this discount, it is just $25 for the year. That’s barely $2/month.

Click here to get 30% OFF of your own AllTrails Plus account
Use code: nickiposts30

Where to Eat in Capilla del Monte

There are several great Capilla del Monte restaurants and cafes in this small town.

Sabia que Venias

Address on Google Maps: Pueyrredón 681, X5184

This is a great cafe with an extensive breakfast and lunch menu. The inside is very cute. There is also an outside courtyard area for warm-weather dining.

Café el Cerro

Address on Google Maps: 25 de Mayo 323, X5184

This is a modern and stylish cafe with great breakfast and drink specials. They have fast wifi as well if you want to bring your laptop and get some work done. The people working there were really cool and friendly.

Valpisa

Address on Google Maps: Diag. Buenos Aires 102, X5184

If you like pizza, this is your place. They have a wood oven for pizza making. The decor is super cool. It feels like an old-fashioned pizzeria.

De la Guarda Dulce Compañia

Address on Google Maps: Diag. Buenos Aires 202, X5184

Come enjoy a coffee or tea with a fantastic rooftop view! They have really nice breakfast specials for a good price. They also have really fresh juices. A good place for an afternoon treat as well.

The Food Trucks

Address on Google Maps: Pueyrredón 458, X5184

The food trucks are all located next to the old train station/information office. They’re open every day, starting around noon and going until the evening. There are several options for food and alcoholic beverages.

Travel Insurance for Traveling in Argentina

It is definitely a good idea to get travel insurance when you go to Argentina. You never know what could happen. For my physical health, I use SafetyWing.

I use SafetyWing, which is great travel medical insurance created by nomads for nomads. You can sign up for as many days as you need, and cancel whenever you want. They have particularly good prices, especially for those under 40 years old. Check them out here.

Best Time To Visit Capilla del Monte

The high season in Capilla del Monte is during the summer months of January and February. The weather gets warm in December but kids are still finishing school and getting ready for the holidays. Therefore, the town explodes with tourism in the new year.

I was here in early December 2024. The weather was great, and I did not have a hard time booking tours or finding accommodation. If you plan to come in January or February, you should book well in advance for both tours and accommodation.

July and August will be colder than the summer months, but it will never get too cold. Temperatures stay pretty moderate during the winter months here, with averages ranging between 50-65 F (10-17 C).

Getting Around Capilla del Monte

Taxi

Didi and Uber do not work in Capilla del Monte. But they do have several local taxis. You can get the phone numbers for the taxi companies at the information center (old train station), which you can see in the photo below.

Bus

There is a local bus that goes around to the outer neighborhoods of Capilla del Monte including the base of Cerro Uritorco, but the schedule is a bit sparse. There are 3 buses in the morning and 3 in the afternoon but it’s not clear when they actually pass. It costs 800 pesos to ride. There are more frequent buses in the high season.

Walk

Capilla del Monte is a small town and it’s very easy to walk around town. You can even walk to other locations slightly out of town, such as Paso del Indio or Agua de los Palos if you don’t mind getting some steps in. I stayed outside of the town and it took me 30 minutes to walk into the center of town. Sometimes locals stopped to offer me a ride.

Bicycle

There is one main bicycle rental shop across the street from the Plaza San Martin. They are open from 7 am – 11 pm. I rented a bike for 4 days and paid 28,000 pesos ($28).

The bikes are not in the best shape but they’ll get the job done. They do not provide bike locks or helmets. My bike got a flat tire on the first day and they let me exchange it for a better bike.

How to get to Capilla del Monte

Bus

There are several provincial buses that go around the Córdoba province. Capilla del Monte is about 3 hours north of Córdoba Capital or 2 hours from Carlos Paz. The most common bus company that travels within the province is Sarmiento. You can get tickets at the station, directly on the Sarmiento website, Unibus, or Busbud.

It cost 10,700 pesos ($10) to reach Capilla del Monte from Carlos Paz in December 2024.

Rent a Car

There are so many things to see not only in the province but also in the area near Capilla del Monte. I highly suggest renting a car in the Córdoba province if you can. Having a car will make your life so much easier. There are lots of places to stay outside the town center, and having a car will make it more convenient to stay there.

There were hundreds of times I wished I had a car while I walked and biked all around Capilla del Monte. Having a car makes everything easier, and allows you to do a lot more in one day.

Day Trips from Capilla del Monte

The Córdoba province is very well connected with public transportation and high-quality roads, making day trips very easy.

San Marcos Sierras

San Marcos Sierra is just 45 minutes away from Capilla del Monte by bus. There is one bus per day that goes to San Marcos Sierras from Capilla del Monte at 11:27 am, and just one bus that returns at 4:30 pm.

It’s a small hippy town centered around the main plaza. There are small hikes you can do in the area, or hang out at the river nearby. You can even go to the self-proclaimed “World’s Only Hippie Musuem” just outside of town. There are several vegan and vegetarian options at the restaurants around the main square.

La Cumbre

La Cumbre is one of the most beautiful towns in the region. It is just 30 minutes south of Capilla del Monte. It was settled by the English and still retains some of that English charm. There is a lot of nature to see here. I spent a weekend here in 2022 with some local friends and had a great time.

Tren de las Sierras

The Tren de las Sierras is a slow tourist train that goes between Capilla del Monte and Córdoba Capital, making several stops in between such as La Falda, La Cumbre, Cosquin, etc. It takes several hours. It is more for sightseeing than quick transport. I took this train in 2022 between Córdoba and Valle Hermoso.

Capilla del Monte Things to Do FAQs

There are so many things to do in Capilla del Monte, more than I realized before I came here. I highly recommend visiting this hippy town. Here are some more questions you may have about this alien-loving town in Córdoba’s High Sierras.

How many days should I stay in Capilla del Monte?

This depends on what you want to do. You can easily see the center of town in one day. If you have a car you can get around much quicker, requiring fewer days here. For example, you could visit Paso del Indio in the morning, have lunch in town, walk around, and then visit Los Terrones in the afternoon.

If you want to hike the Cerro Uritorco or Cerro Las Gemelas, you should allow at least one full day for each hike.

If you have to rely on biking, walking, or taxis, then you should allow for more days as getting around will take more time. I spent one week in Capilla del Monte and easily occupied my time each day.

Is Capilla del Monte walkable?

Yes! Capilla del Monte is very walkable, especially if you are staying in a hotel or guesthouse in the center of town. I stayed in the Las Gemelas neighborhood (southeast of the center) and it took me 30 minutes to walk between my apartment and downtown. I rented a bike for several days to make the “commute” easier.

Is Capilla del Monte worth visiting?

Capilla del Monte is absolutely worth visiting. There is a special energy here. The nature is beautiful and the people are kind and friendly. I spent one week here and did so many activities. I loved it here.

What is Capilla del Monte famous for?

Capilla del Monte is famous for 2 main things: loving aliens and having the highest peak in the province: Cerro Uritorco. People come to Capilla to look up at the night sky and hope to see flashing lights and fast-moving objects.

Where to Stay in Capilla del Monte

If you don’t have transportation, I suggest staying closer to the town center. I stayed outside of the center and spent a lot of time walking down dirt roads. If you do have a car, then staying in one of the outer neighborhoods is a great idea because it’s so peaceful and quiet (except for the dog barks).

For some reason, I had a really hard time using Airbnb here. It seems like the hosts set up the account and then forgot about it. I tried to book several places that were left pending for 24 hours until they were canceled. It took days for hosts to respond to me.

If you do want to use Airbnb, book in advance to avoid stress. Otherwise, just book a hotel or guesthouse and it will be much easier.

Cabañas Taos Pueblo

If you want to stay outside of the city center, this place is for you. It is near the entrance to the Cerro Las Gemelas. You’ll sleep in peace and quiet here. Plus there is an outdoor swimming pool. A true dream.

BOOK NOW to stay near the base of Cerro Las Gemelas

Mousai Hotel Boutique

This is a beautiful boutique hotel located in the center of town. Breakfast is included and there is a rooftop swimming pool.

Stay in the center of town in this beautiful boutique hotel

Hotel Spa Terrazas del Uritorco

Live your most luxurious Capilla del Monte life. Here you can find free breakfast, an outdoor swimming pool, amazing views of the sierras and so much more.

BOOK NOW to stay in luxury in Capilla del Monte

Final Thoughts on Capilla del Monte Things to Do

I loved this quirky town so much more than I ever expected to. It is a small town full of life and positive energy. It is surrounded by some of the most beautiful in the province, if not the entire country. After spending one full week in Capilla del Monte, I completely fell in love with the essence of this place, and I hope you will too. I’ll definitely be back!

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