PAPAGAYOS-San Luis (El pueblo SERRANO buscado por su PAZ y hoyas TRANSPARENTES a pocos KM de MERLO)

I packed my backpack and headed off to a new destination. A small town in Cuyo called PAPAGAYOS, located at the foot of the majestic Sierras de los Comechingones, in the eastern part of San Luis Province, was waiting for me... After a long journey of just over 13 hours, under heavy rain, I arrived at my destination. PAPAGAYOS welcomed me at dusk, when the twilight cast a golden glow over the town... I immediately went to my accommodation to rest and recharge, as my tour would begin the next day... I got up early, as is my custom... Opening my bedroom window, and instead of seeing crazy buildings and buses, contemplating the mountains in the background and listening to the birds singing was truly priceless... So, I began my walk through the town under a clear sky. Papagayos is a jewel of San Luis, not only for its serenity and natural beauty, but also for its strategic geographic location. Just a few kilometers along Provincial Route 1, you can reach other beautiful tourist towns such as Villa Larca, Cortaderas, Los Molles, Carpinteria, or the famous Villa de Merlo. With just 665 inhabitants according to the 2022 CENSUS, the peace enjoyed in its narrow streets of low-rise houses fills your soul. It's hard to find dirt in these picturesque streets thanks to the respect and conscience of its locals. Another thing that pleasantly caught my attention was the excellent condition of its pets: dogs and cats, all radiating freshness, which speaks volumes for the humanity of its people. Walking around, I soon arrived at Plaza Sarmiento, the beautiful town square with the distinctive triangular shape. Decorated with tall trees and flowers of various colors, this plaza is small but truly beautiful. In front of the plaza is the modest but striking San Pedro Chapel, in honor of the town's patron saint. It was already past noon, and with a more than pleasant temperature of around 25 degrees, I set out to do some hiking, something I love. I crossed Route 1 and a few hundred meters further on, I found the access that, after a 1-kilometer walk, surrounded by the "Caranday" palm trees that are abundant and characteristic of this area, would take me to the beginning of the trail. The goal was to reach the Edenic "Crystal Lagoon" after a 2-kilometer trek through the mountains. After passing through a section of tables and grills, you climb a stone staircase that marks the beginning of the trail. At first, the trail is well marked, very narrow, and winds through vegetation. After a few meters, the main attraction of this trail appears: "Arroyo Papagayos," as the trail borders it. The stream, now enclosed, whose crystalline waters descend from the highest peaks of the Sierras de los Comechingones, forms pools and small lagoons of dazzling colors along the way. Some of them require crossing with water up to your knees or even chests to continue forward... It's quite an adventure! Until I finally reached the paradisiacal "Laguna de Cristal" (Crystal Lagoon). I couldn't resist the emerald color of its waters, which seemed to invite me to take a dip. So, despite it not being summer and the water being cold, I dove in for a few minutes... I was alone, in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by absolute peace, swimming in a fairytale lagoon. What an unforgettable experience! The next day, to round out my visit, I went to see the Municipal Campground and Spa, located just a few meters from the town center. This is a large green space, surrounded by mountain nature, perfect for enjoying the outdoors. The grounds have tables, grills, restrooms, a soccer field, plenty of shade, and a large pool for the summer. The trip was coming to an end... but now came the best part: remembering this charming San Luis gem called Parrots... If you liked the video, be sure to SHARE it and give it a LIKE!!! SUBSCRIBE to the Channel and click on the BELL!! Let's spread the word about tourism in our beautiful country...