Esquel: City History, Nature and Active Excursions

Railway heritage, city history and excursions into nature give Esquel its distinct character. La Trochita connects places in Chubut and Río Negro; museums, Laguna La Zeta, hills and ski slopes appeal to a wide range of interests. If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Esquel, you can start planning your trip around whether you want to focus on culture, water activities or exploring the landscape.

La Trochita and the History of the City

The original stretch of the La Trochita railway connects Ingeniero Jacobacci in the province of Río Negro with El Maitén and Esquel in Chubut. Smaller stations and stops lie between these places. The railway gives the journey a regional historical dimension, without limiting the experience to the city alone.

The Museo Histórico Municipal Esquel focuses on the city’s identity. Its interactive exhibition “Aquí Esquel” explores the past, present and future, inviting visitors to experience these aspects through images, objects, stories and sounds. This multifaceted approach differs from a simple sequence of written information: a variety of media brings the city’s history to life from different perspectives.

The Centro Cultural Melipal also combines a contemporary cultural role with the building’s former purpose: it is housed in Esquel’s former bus station. Works by various artists from the region and across the country are exhibited there. Casa Los Vascos, meanwhile, is a historic general store. It was founded in 1936 and has operated as a civil-law partnership since 1969. It is one of the few stores of its kind in the country and the only one of its kind in Patagonia. These examples offer different ways to explore local history: through an exhibition, a cultural venue and a long-established store.

Nature and Activities Around Esquel

Laguna La Zeta is 4 km from Esquel and is suitable for kayaking. It has been designated a municipal nature reserve since 2013 and is managed in a way comparable to the “protected landscape” category. There is also a birdwatching observatory in the area known as “Rincón de las Aves.” Kayaking, the nature reserve and birdwatching are different ways to enjoy the same lagoon.

For outdoor activities on land, the Sendero A La Zeta offers opportunities for hiking, motorcycling, horseback riding and mountain biking along its vehicle track. The hills around Esquel also invite visitors to go trekking and mountain biking. The landscape includes slopes, natural viewpoints and summits offering panoramic views of Esquel and its surroundings. The options vary depending on the activity you choose: explore the area on foot, by mountain bike, on horseback or by motorcycle.

Rafting is another possible excursion: tours on the Río Corcovado depart from Esquel and are offered with qualified guides and equipment. Class II and III rafting is possible without prior experience. This means you can include the experience in your travel plans even if you’ve never rafted before; the classes indicate the level of difficulty of the tours and make no claims about other activities.

Skiing and Choosing a Focus for Your Trip

The Centro de Actividades de Montaña La Hoya is 12 km from Esquel. It offers 30 ski runs for skiers of all skill levels. This excursion adds a distinct focus to the options for water, culture and the hills: ski slopes rather than kayaking, visiting a museum or trekking. The stated distance is from Esquel.

When looking for a vacation rental in Esquel, your preferred focus can be a useful starting point. Consider whether you’d most like to explore the city’s history and culture, enjoy activities at Laguna La Zeta and in the hills, go rafting or ski at La Hoya.

More destinations: Punta Delgada, Playa Unión, Trevelín, Comodoro Rivadavia, Trelew, Puerto Pirámides and Cholila.

For the broader travel overview: Chubut.