Villa San Nicolás – River Valley and the History of La Hostería
Accommodation in Villa San Nicolás
For your travel planning, Villa San Nicolás can be understood through three specific perspectives: the landscape on the eastern foothills of the Sierra Chica, its connection to Ruta Nacional 20, and the history of La Hostería.
Landscape and location
The settlement extends across an ancient river valley with a gentle slope from east to west. It is framed by the foothills of the Sierra Chica and the Sierra de Ochoa. Travelers comparing destinations by landform will find a precise combination here: a valley and two named mountain ranges. This describes the location more precisely than a single reference to the Sierra Chica: the valley's direction and the foothills of the Sierra de Ochoa are also part of the landscape.
Road access and trip planning
Ruta Nacional 20 passes through Villa San Nicolás at kilometer 731. This provides a specific road reference, while public transport offers a different planning point: in 2024, passengers could travel in both directions along the corridor between Malagueño and San Nicolás; the fare was ARS 1,000. If you are planning a public transport trip today, check current timetables and fares.
La Hostería: project and former use
Villa San Nicolás shares its historical origins with Estancia Santa Leocadia. The project for La Hostería was planned and commissioned in 1950, at the highest point of the Villa San Nicolás subdivision. La Hostería first opened its doors in the summer of 1959. The two dates mark different stages: 1950 refers to the planning and commissioning, and the summer of 1959 to the first opening.
The complex included an Olympic-size swimming pool, 200 meters from the main building and equipped with a diving board. Six decorative lanterns illuminated it at night. The complex also included changing rooms, restrooms, a small bar, and a dance floor. The former facilities offer a concrete glimpse of how La Hostería was used for leisure at the time.
Guests included seasonal tourists as well as people from Córdoba who spent weekends there. Activities for holidaymakers at the time also included horseback rides in the surrounding area; local residents provided the horses.
Location within the Department of Santa María
In the Department of Santa María, the tourist region of Paravachasca lies 30 kilometers southwest of the city of Córdoba, between the Valle de Punilla to the northwest and the Valle de Calamuchita to the south. From Córdoba, Paravachasca can be reached via Provincial Route 5. Guided excursions, hikes, and horseback rides are among the outdoor activities available in this region. You can compare the activities by type of movement and whether they are guided.
Discover more destinations: Malagueño, La Bolsa, Villa Anisacate, Alta Gracia, Villa Serranita, José de la Quintana, San Antonio De Arredondo.
Back to the main travel overview: Department of Santa María.
