Esquel itself is small and unhurried — a couple of streets of low buildings, a small square, a stone-and-wood Patagonian architecture, an old Welsh church. The real attractions are outside town: the ancient alerce forest in Los Alerces National Park to the west, the steam railway La Trochita that runs from the station east across the steppe, and the La Hoya ski resort just north of town. Allow at least two or three days to see the area properly; longer if you want to fish, ride or trek.