This small mountain town in Córdoba, Argentina draws UFO researchers and hikers to Uritorco Hill. Local shops sell healing crystals and spiritual art.
Capilla del Monte, a small city in Argentina's Córdoba province, has become the country's center of UFO tourism. You can climb the 1,900-meter Cerro Uritorco mountain, visit a comic book museum housed in a 1905 mansion, or browse tarot shops and vegetarian cafes along the covered Calle Techada. The city's streets buzz with fortune tellers and wellness practitioners, while the annual Alien Festival brings thousands of visitors dressed as extraterrestrials.
UFO Tourism and Mystical Culture
A reported UFO sighting at El Pajarillo ridge in 1986 put Capilla del Monte on the map for believers in extraterrestrial life. Today, the three-day Alien Festival in February includes concerts, costume contests, and guided night walks. Many visitors climb Cerro Uritorco mountain to meditate or search for paranormal activity. The city's streets are lined with Reiki centers, astrology shops, and meditation spaces. You'll find the UFO museum and astronomical observatory near the town center, both documenting local sightings and space phenomena.
Natural Landmarks and Mountain Trails
The hiking trail to Cerro Uritorco's summit (1,900 meters) is moderately difficult and clearly marked. Pack water and warm clothing - temperatures can drop significantly at higher altitudes. The round trip takes 5-6 hours, with steep sections in the final hour. At El Zapato, a 10-meter-high rock formation shaped like a shoe, you can see El Cajón Dam and the city below. For a shorter walk, follow the 2-kilometer path to Los Alazanes Dam, located between Cerro Overo and Cerro Las Gemelas mountains.
Museums and Urban Attractions
El Castillo del Cómic displays 15,000 action figures and thousands of comic books inside the restored Hostería Argentina mansion from 1905. The museum includes reading rooms and a cafe in the garden. In the city center, Calle Techada runs along Avenida Diagonal Buenos Aires, with its glass roof protecting shoppers from sun and rain. Near the Calabalumba river, Pueblo Encanto theme park recreates life during Spanish colonial times within the restored Castillo Mudejar, complete with period furniture and traditional crafts demonstrations.
Getting There and Climate
Buses run from Córdoba city (100 kilometers away) every two hours, with the journey taking 2-3 hours. Summer temperatures range from 20-25°C, ideal for hiking and outdoor activities. Winter brings cooler weather (5-15°C) with occasional snow on the mountains. Spring stays mild at 15-20°C, while autumn paints the landscape in red and orange colors.
