Villa Lago Meliquina is a small, eco-conscious town along the lake of the same name south of San Martin de los Andes. It's not easy to feel off the beaten path in such a touristy region but this small, young village does the trick. You'll drive south from SMA then turn off onto Ruta 63. You'll drive on Ruta 63 for about 14 kilometers, mostly along the shores of Lago Meliquina with beautiful views to ease the drive. It is unpaved but in great condition and is an easy drive.

Pass by for the day as a day trip from San Martin de los Andes or as a pit stop along the 7 Lakes Route. There are restaurants here open all year, like El Refugio.

From the photos above you can see how weather makes the difference. Both visits were from the same time of year. For my first visit I was blessed with zero wind and clear skies (despite it raining south in Villa La Angostura that same day). On my second visit a couple of years later we had cold wind and dreary skies. Both were beautiful, but they were very different experiences, such is travel in Patagonia.

For a longer stay, rent a cabin here if you just want to disconnect. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy in the warm months on the lake and San Martin de los Andes proper is just a short drive away.