Cutral-Có / Plaza Huincul

Cutral-Có Plaza Huincul - Photos: Jorge González

Standing a few kilometers away from each other, they share a common history written by the discovery of oil and dinosaur fossil remains that have given life to these two urban settlements and made them protagonists in an area where sceneries are harsh, wild and hit by strong winds, typical of the Patagonian steppe.

Both Cutral Có and Plaza Huincul have succeeded in generating various tourist attractions in the last few years. As a result, travelers wish to stay longer and many times they resolve to spend the night here in order to get to know the charms of these interesting cities in Neuquén.

Both lie on Route 22, half way from Neuquén to Zapala. They are the faithful reflection of the typical climate and relief features of the steppe, famous for its strong and constant winds.

According to the primitive peoples, the name “Plaza Huincul” means “sentry post on the hill”, whereas “Cutral Có” refers to “a fire watering hole”.

These two cities have reassessed their own attractions in order to make the oil fields and the dinosaur fossil remains found during the oil perforations available for tourists to see.

Its small but appealing museums, its squares and streets, as well as its surroundings, among which Villa El Chocón is to be mentioned, are the cause for visitors to start considering Cutral Có and Plaza Huincul as tourist destinations.