SANTA ROSA promotes itself as the gateway to Patagonia, and indeed the only real reasons to visit La Pampa Province's capital, at the southwestern end of the RN5, are to break a long journey to or from Patagonia, or to use it as a base from which to visit the Parque Nacional Lihúe Calel , the province's major attraction, dominated by low granite sierras. Parque Luro, 35km to the south, is much less wild than the national park but it offers a few gentle walks and opportunities for bird-watching. Santa Rosa is well connected to Buenos Aires, Neuquén, Bahía Blanca and Bariloche by public transport - but connections to the rest of the province from the town are less frequent and require a bit of planning.