After the A Pampa Traviesa Marathon: Santa Rosa, a Slower Day

The Route: Hotel → Centro Cívico → Parque Don Tomás → La Malvina → Hotel Logistics: Stay where you ran. Short taxi rides cover the longer gaps and the rest is on foot. Marathon Month: April Duration: 1 night

Hotel (centre) ──> Centro Cívico ──(taxi)──> Parque Don Tomás ──(taxi)──> La Malvina ──> Hotel
                                                                                      │
                                      Santa Rosa airport (RSA) ◄──(4.5 km, taxi)─────┘

The quickest way to avoid a bad Monday is to book one more night than you think you need. The marathon finishes on Sunday morning, hotel checkout falls at 10:00 or 11:00 at the central properties, and a runner who has to be out of the room within a couple of hours of finishing will spend the afternoon on a bench. A second night in Santa Rosa costs very little and turns the day after the race into something you can enjoy.

April in Santa Rosa: This is early autumn on the pampas. Pool seasons have ended, so the pools at the Mercure and Hotel Lihuel Calel should not be part of the plan. The municipal April-to-September opening hours apply at La Malvina.

The Walking Asset: Centro Cívico and Parque Don Tomás

Start with the Centro Cívico, the civic complex designed by the architect Clorindo Testa. It can be seen from the outside, on flat pavements, and nothing needs to be booked. Do not plan on entering offices or the library on a Monday morning, as access is not guaranteed.

Parque Don Tomás is a municipal park with lagoon viewpoints. A short seated stop beside the water is more sensible than trying to walk the whole park the day after racing. Take a taxi between the two places if the distance feels long, and check the pool is closed before you pack swimwear.

La Malvina

La Malvina is an urban reserve on the western side of the city with a house museum. From April to September, municipal hours are weekdays 08:00 to 19:00 and weekends and holidays 10:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 19:00. These are the baseline hours, so check them if your visit falls on a holiday. Keep to the museum area and the level ground around it.

Where to Stay

Calfucurá, at San Martín 695, is on the avenue where the race starts. Its ordinary checkout is 10:00 and a paid late departure until 18:00 is offered, so ask about this when booking the extra night. UNIT, at Pedro Luro 787, has a restaurant on site and an 11:00 checkout. Either property lets you leave luggage at reception if you stay the extra night and still want to travel light on race morning.

Where to Eat

Cuatro Esquinas Resto Bar, inside UNIT at Pedro Luro 787, is open daily from 07:00 to 15:00 and from 16:00 to 23:30, with a lunch menu from 12:00 to 15:00. It seats 50 and is on the first floor, with a lift and stairs. Reserve if you are in a group.

Getting Home