Spread haphazardly along the northern shore of Lago Nahuel Huapi, VILLA LA ANGOSTURA is a relaxed but expensive holiday town that caters mainly for better-off Argentinians. Though the area has plenty of outdoor possibilities, the main reason for overnighting here is to see the Bosque de los Arrayanes in the Parque Nacional Quetrihué. From here too, the Ruta de Los Siete Lagos heads north to San Martín de los Andes. In winter, there's skiing on the slopes of Cerro Bayo, 10km to the northeast of the village.

The town is actually divided into two main settlements: El Cruce ("The Crossroads") is the first you'll come across, being built around the main RN231 - called Avenida Siete Lagos at its western end and Avenida Los Arrayanes, the main commercial street, from Bariloche to the east - while La Villa is next to the national park entrance, 3km south down the Boulevard Nahuel Huapi spur road. These three roads converge on the ACA service station in El Cruce. The bus terminal is a block west of ACA, on Avenida Siete Lagos.

Across the road from the terminal at no. 93 is the tourist office (daily 8am-9pm; tel & fax 02944/494124; munivla@cybersnet.com.ar ), one of Patagonia's best. Even if it's closed when you arrive, consult the useful display window for all accommodation possibilities, prices and locations. Inside, it has excellent leaflets on walks and excursions in the area (an abbreviated version available in English). One recommended walk is to Mirador Belvedere (a lookout point that can be reached by car) and the Cascada Inacayal, a delightful fifty-metre waterfall. You can rent bikes at Ian, Topa Topa 102 ($10 for 6hr). Internet access is available at CybersNet, Belvedere 173.