Things to do in Potrerillos, Mendoza

Mendoza is Argentina’s wine capital but nearby Potrerillos is the perfect itinerary add-on for those looking to get outdoors.

I have been twice and the area has grown so much since my first visit 6 years ago. For both visits we stayed just for one night but this second time around I found myself wishing we had a few days to hang around the area.

Potrerillos has always been known for the white water rafting that originally brought us here in 2018 but there are also a lot of hiking trails available.

For those looking for a bit more relaxed fun, there are sunset parties and unique water-front dining experiences in the mountains.

Potrerillos is a destination on its own if you have the time. It’s also close enough to Mendoza to serve as an easy day trip.

However much time you are able to spend there, I highly recommend adding a visit to Potrerillos while in Mendoza. This post has everything you need to know.

A Travel Guide to Potrerillos, Mendoza

Potrerillos always finds itself on my Mendoza road trip itineraries because the roads to and from this small mountain town are so stunning, it is made for a road trip.

However, it has grown into a destination of its own right and on future visits, Potrerillos might very well be my destination instead of a pit stop.

This post is a complete guide on how to visit this beautiful mountain town outside of Mendoza.

How to get to Potrerillos, Mendoza

We always rent a car for our trip to Mendoza because the surroundings here are best seen via road trip.

Since we love the Uco Valley, we make our trips a loop – Mendoza to Uco Valley via Ruta 40, then we take the scenic Ruta 89 to Potrerillos and back to Mendoza via the also scenic Ruta 82. We’ve done this twice now and I endorse this road trip. 👍🏻

We’ll stay in the Uco Valley for a night or two. In 2018 we stayed at Tupungato Divino for a more wine focused trip. Recently we stayed at Los Chulengos for a mountain estancia experience. Both were excellent. Then we head up to Potrerillos via the 89.

But you don’t have to follow my footsteps. You have 3 options for your route:

• Ruta 89 – The scenic Route 89 connects the Uco Valley and the town of Tupungato to Potrerillos. The road is at times gravel and other times paved, but was always in good shape when we drove it in 2024. You’ll go through the small town of Las Vegas, we stopped here for lunch at Bodegon Los Negritos.
• Ruta 82 – We returned to Mendoza via Route 82 and it was very beautiful. The route was paved and easy. We stopped at Cacheuta’s hot springs. There are also a couple large cafes by Entre Dos along the route (if you need a coffee stop, this is Mendoza’s best alfajor brand, stock up).
• Ruta 7 + Ruta 40 – This is the fastest route. There will be a lot of trucks on the route as this is the route to Chile.

Check rates for rental cars for your trip here.

If you don’t have a car, you can take the bus. Andesmar has regular buses from downtown Mendoza to Potrerillos, passing through Cacheuta on the way.

Check schedule and costs on their website. The cost, as of December 2024, is just under the equivilant of $4.

Take into account, though, that once you’re IN Potrerillos, it is much easier to get around with a car.

If you’re going on a day trip from Mendoza, most excursions include hotel pickups and transfers and I will link to those throughout the article.

And finally, if you don’t want to stay in Potrerillos to do any of the cool things I list below, and you just want to pass through and see the lake, then book the popular excursion to Aconcagua and Upsallata. That is a large group tour, for a smaller group check out this alternative. These tours will pass through Potrerillos on the drive into the mountains.

Read More | A Complete Guide to Wine Tasting in Mendoza

Things to do in Potrerillos, Argentina

Here are the best things to do while in Potrerillos Mendoza in Argentina.

From white water rafting to sunsets by the lake, there is something for everyone but just about everything involves the outdoors.

Viewpoints & Activities on the Lake

The star of Potrerillos is the artificial lake formed by the dam here on the Mendoza River. This lake is 12 km long and 3 km wide and when the sun hits the water just right, the water turns a beautifully bright turquoise blue.

Along Ruta 82 there are a number of easy to spot viewpoints along the road. Some have food trucks so during the afternoon you could pick up a snack to enjoy with your view.

📸 Arguably the most beautiful view, and the most in demand thanks to Instagram, is the view of the lake as you come through the tunnel along Ruta 82 from Cacheuta. Get your cameras ready before you go through.

There are also a few dirt roads that bring you right down to the shore. For a relaxing option, bring your mate and a picnic to enjoy by the water. This is what we did with the kids, who threw their weight in rocks into the water.

If you want to get a bit more active, there are excursions for kayaking, kite surfing, and windsurfing out on the water:

• Kayak – Book a kayak excursion across the lake
• Sailing – For a more relaxing outing, book a two hour sailing excursion (including wine, yes, please).
• Windsurfing

White Water Rafting in Mendoza

In 2018, we went white water rafting with Potrerillos Explorer. There are multiple agencies here all offering a similar experience.

We had our own car but for those coming as a day trip city excursions like this offer hotel pick up and drop off.

You’ll be rafting on the Mendoza River and the experience you have will be determined by the time of year you visit.

The water is fed by ice melt from the Andes so naturally, the water is higher and the rapids more intense in summer than when we visited at the end of winter.

The rapids were mild when we visited, which was fine by me. When we visited (beginning of September) the rapids were class 1 and 2.

In the summer months, they can reach level 4 and it will be a much more adventurous experience.

Potrerillos Explorer provided us with neoprene wet suits and boots, helmets, wool sweaters, and life jackets. You’ll change at their base in Potrerillos before they drive you to the actual launch point at the river.

They gave us a locker to leave your clothes and belongings while you’re out rafting. Since they provide everything you need, you really don’t need to bring anything special with you.

Safety of White Water Rafting Mendoza

The people at Potrerillos Explorer really took care that everyone was safe at all times.

We were briefed beforehand about what to do if we fell out of the raft and I felt really prepared (although it never happened and I think it rarely does!).

They also have someone in a kayak that goes along the rafts as auxiliary support to help you get out of the water should you fall in and drift too far from the raft.

How to Reserve your Tour Rafting in Mendoza

If you’d like to try white water rafting in Mendoza, reserve your excursion here.

They speak English and also offer a lot of activities besides rafting like guided hikes, mountain biking, canopy zip-lining, and more.

Go Horseback Riding in the Andes

Besides wine tasting, the thing I most enjoy doing in Mendoza is horseback riding in the mountains.

In 2018, we went on a short ride with El Rincon de Los Oscuros for about an hour and 15 minutes. I didn’t feel like it was enough time. I recommend on going for a much longer ride to get deeper into the mountains.

A longer tour that includes lunch like this option would be much more enjoyable than our short ride.

We met our guide and rode the short way through town to the ranch and trail itself.

The views of the valley and reservoir of Potrerillos to one side and the peaks of the Andes to the other are breathtaking.

Reserve your horseback day trip.

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Chirivia, Experiencia de Cocina Outdoor

Chirivia is more than a lunch reservation, it’s an outdoor dining experience on the northern shore of the lake in Potrerillos.

See their Instagram page for information and message them for reservations.

And my advice is to make your reservation as soon as possible, we weren’t able to get in on our last trip when I waited until the week before to try to get a reservation.

Chirivia looks a bit like lunch and a bit like a party, it is both family friendly and ideal for a group of friends.

The food is unique (don’t expect your average choripan or steak here) and it’s operated by a father-son duo César and Benjamín Montes de Oca.

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Las Palapas Sunsets

Saturday nights within the Gran Hotel Potrerillos is the best sunset party in Mendoza, Las Palapas.

While it’s almost exclusively on Saturdays, there are occasionally other dates due to holidays etc. so check their Instagram for the official schedule and planned DJ’s. Reserve your spot well in advance.

At the foot of the Potrerillos Dam on the shore the entire concept is designed to fit in as seamlessly as possible with the natural landscape.

Las Palapas blends ancestral Andean rituals with the energy of dancing to modern DJ’s to create a one of a kind experience.

If going to and from the city, consider hiring a driver or transfer for the way there and back to get home safely.

I recommend, though, staying overnight in Potrerillos to better enjoy the region and not have to worry about the drive down to Mendoza afterwards.

Hike in the Cordon del Plata Provincial Park

People always ask me about hiking in Mendoza, and despite being the second best place (after Aconcagua) to do just that the Cordon del Plata Provincial Park isn’t on many foreign visitor’s radars.

Likely that is because it isn’t that easy to get to. It is about 25 kilometers from Potrerillos and the road is gravel and not in great condition. You can’t reach it with a low car so most rental cars are out of play for this excursion.

I recommend booking a tour like this one with a professional mountain guide. The tour is all inclusive and will ensure you have a safe and memorable experience.

Locals better know this place by the name Vallecitos, an old ski resort here.

Hike to Cascada del Angel

For shorter, easier hike right in Potrerillos, check out Cascada del Angel.

It is a moderate to easy hike and takes about two hours, ideal in Summer and Spring.

You don’t need a guide for this hike and can find the trail 10 kilometers from the town of Potrerillos. The trail is on private property so there is a fee to enter equivalent to a few dollars (bring cash).

There is room to leave your vehicle safely at the trailhead, but as always don’t leave personal belongings in view.

Also, for all hikes in this region, keep in mind that the sun is strong here in the mountains and the heat is no joke. You’ll enjoy yourself much more if you hike early in the morning (leave the hot afternoon hours for relaxing by the water).

And while you don’t need a guide for just the hike, if you’d like to do a bit more this excursion with a mountain guide includes repelling, making it a more complete experience.

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Trekking, A Nordic Spa & A Speakeasy in el Salto

This area is more than just the lake and the dam. In reality, there are a few small communities surrounding Potrerillos and one of them is El Salto.

At just about 15 minutes from the lake, it’s a good alternative for accommodation.

There are also a number of hikes here. We stayed here for a night both trips but never had time for a hike so I can’t offer any first-hand experience.

Cascada el Salto is a popular trail, you can read some tips in the Google reviews.

For something a bit more whiskey and chill than a demanding hike to another waterfall, check out Whitman’s Speakeasy in El Salto. Always check the Instagram page for places like this for up to date hours and to reserve. As of today, they’re open on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

The complex offers cabins to stay overnight, a Nordic spa, and of course, the speakeasy.

Where to stay in Potrerillos

Do you feel convinced to stay overnight after going over that list of things to do in Potrerillos?

I don’t blame here.

Here are the best places to stay in Potrerillos (and surroundings):

• Gran Hotel Potrerillos – This is the best (only?) option if you want a classic hotel with amenities in the Potrerillos area.
• Denmoza Eco Lodge – Domes are all the rage in Argentina at the moment and Potrerillos is no exception. Here you can enjoy the stars with the clear mountain skies with your lake view dome. There are outdoor areas to grill and there are also options to stay in a brick and mortar (eh…river stone and mortar) home instead of a dome.
• Potrerillos House with a View – This house and others in the area have incredible views of the lake.
• Villa San Jorge – Located in El Salto (a short 15 minutes from the lake), this area feels more “in the mountains.” The complex also features a brewery, a speakeasy, and a Nordic spa.

More Mendoza Travel Guides

• The Best Things to do in Mendoza
• A Guide to Mendoza Wineries & Wine Tours
• Where to stay in Mendoza
• Argentina Packing List: Everything You Need
• 27 Popular Foods in Argentina You Have to Try
• The Best Time to Visit Argentina

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