Chos Malal between urban history and landscape

Chos Malal offers several ways to shape a stay: historic buildings and exhibitions, an annual festival, and two routes with different landscape settings. Visitors choosing the city as a destination can decide whether to focus on the town’s history or on a scenic route.

For planning your arrival, it is useful to know that Chos Malal is connected mainly by National Route No. 40. Another distinctive local landmark is the Hito de la Ruta 40 at the southern entrance to Chos Malal. The Legislatura Neuquina recognized it as Provincial Tourism Heritage No. 3767.

Buildings and exhibitions tell the story of the town

The parish church of María Auxiliadora was inaugurated on December 7, 1888, in a ceremony supported by Governor Olascoaga. Salesian priests Domingo Milanesio and Bartolo Panaro took part. The building is made of adobe and has a roof of oak wood. The roofing material was brought by wagon from the lagoons of Epulafquen. The church therefore links its inauguration date to a specific construction method and the origin of the wood used.

The Museo Histórico Provincial “Manuel José Olascoaga” offers a different perspective: its three exhibition rooms cover Indigenous peoples, the “Campaña del Desierto” and the founding of Chos Malal. The subjects span the history of Indigenous communities, a historic campaign and the origins of the city. Visitors interested in local history will find several subject areas brought together in one museum.

Two buildings also represent different chapters in the city’s history. The Almacén de Ramos Generales Enrique Dewey was the first brick building constructed in Chos Malal. The former Hotel de Turismo is part of the city’s historic heritage: after standing vacant for years, it was completely renovated in 2013 and converted into the Centro Cultural del Norte Neuquino. The Almacén is distinguished by its construction, while the former hotel represents a change in use.

The festival and choosing a hotel

The Fiesta Nacional del Chivito, la Danza y la Canción takes place every year in Chos Malal. In 2004, Resolution No. 384/04 of the Secretaría General de la Presidencia de la Nación declared the festival to be of national importance, giving it the status of a national fiesta. If the festival is an important reason for your trip, check the event dates in advance.

This can help you decide which aspect of the destination matters most for your stay. The landscape views from Cerro de la Cruz and the approximate time given for the route up Cerro de la Virgen offer different ways to plan.

For an overview of the wider area: Departamento Chos Malal.