Cueva de las Manos is a Unesco World Heritage Site and impressive archaeological wonder in the Santa Cruz Province of Argentina. The interior of the cave is detailed with unique rock art dating back to 7370 BC. It is believed that cave dwellers, who may have been the ancestors of the historic hunter-gatherer communities of Patagonia, stenciled imagery onto the walls. Within the near-vertical walls, you can find imprints of human hands, drawings of guanacos (an animal related to the camel), depictions of hunting scenes, geometric shapes and more. These images are easy to spot, as there are as many as 800 drawings on the walls of this cave, with over 90% of the images being hands. Interesting enough, most of the handprints are of left hands, indicating that the artists were probably stenciling and spraying paint with their right hands. 
Las Cueva de las Manos (Cave of the Hands) is nestled in the valley of the Pinturas River, a remote spot of Argentine Patagonia. Its location is so isolated that you can only access Las Cueva de las Manos via long gravel dirt roads, making the journey a bit difficult. However, it is incredibly worth it, as you are lead to some of the earliest known forms of human art! The Cueva de las Manos location is perfect for any adventure traveler.
Las Cueva de las Manos can be visited year-round due to its agreeable and temperate weather. However, some treks around the area may be closed or inaccessible depending on when you choose to visit. December to February is considered Argentina’s summer season and is packed with tourists. Therefore, we recommend that travelers head to Las Cueva de las Manos anytime from September to February, which includes part of the spring season. During the spring season, the weather is a bit cooler and there are fewer tourist crowds! If you visit during February you will be able to see the Cueva de las Manos Festival (started in 1979), which is quite the spectacle. Initially, the festival was to be named “Coiron Festival” but then “Cueva de las Manos” was chosen to honor the archaeological site that is very close to the city. Note** If you want to visit during the months September to November (spring season), make sure that there are local accommodations open. Travel Consultants can help you determine what accommodations are available and are a great resource to use when planning to visit a remote location!
The Cave of the Hands is in Francisco P. Moreno National Park in Southern Patagonia. If you’re familiar with the location of Perito Moreno, Las Cueva de las Manos is approximately 100 miles south of Perito Moreno, a trip that takes 3.5 hours. We suggest organizing this excursion with a travel agent so that as you arrive you can learn about the history of the caves from an experienced guide. Once you’ve figured out how you will get there, you can set up some extra excursions around the area such as horseback riding or 4×4 jeep expeditions.
Looking for some more information on Cueva de las Manos? Check out some of our favorite Cueva de las Manos Facts below!
Stay at Estancia Cueva de las Manos! This is arguably one of the best places to stay when visiting the Cave of the Hands. The minimalist ambiance of the estancia is part of its charm. You won’t find TVs or telephones here. Instead, you’ll have a staff that does everything to make its guests feel at home. The best part? The estancia is very close and guided excursions can be easily arranged while staying here.
