Potrerillos

Potrerillos lies in the Andes in the Department of Luján de Cuyo. Mountains, a vast expanse of water and trails through the landscape give the area many different facets: you can focus on the views and nature or plan guided activities on the water and on land. So when choosing a holiday rental, what matters most is which experiences you want to shape your trip.

Water, mountains and protected area

The Potrerillos Dam currently covers about 1,500 hectares. The Potrerillos Reservoir regulates the flow of the Mendoza River and creates a large expanse of water. Along its shores, you can walk by the lake and take in the water and surrounding mountains. Three viewpoints offer views of the lake, the dam wall and the mountain panorama. This lets you focus your visit on the scenery without making a particular water activity the main attraction.

The Área Ambiental Municipal Protegida Potrerillos is also part of the area's character. This municipal multi-purpose protected area consists of three sectors connected by the biological, economic and cultural corridor of the Mendoza River. Its designation as a multi-purpose area reflects its varied significance; during your trip, you can also explore specific nature experiences, such as the trail at Cerro Cocodrilo.

Hiking trail and guided activities

The trailhead for Sendero Cerro Cocodrilo is 350 metres from the Plaza and Centro Cívico. The trail is 2.5 kilometres long and offers views of the Mendoza River, the Cordón del Plata and the Potrerillos Dam. Along the way, you can spot native plants typical of the Mendoza region; there are also opportunities to observe local birds. If you enjoy walking and taking in the landscape and nature, this trail gives you a specific place to include in your plans.

The guided activities at the dam also revolve around the water: a kayaking tour and a stand-up paddleboarding tour each last two hours. You can think of these activities as different ways to get out on the water. At the foot of the Cordón del Plata, rafting, canopy tours, trekking and horseback riding are also available. Alongside the water tours, there are therefore other types of activities to choose from; which ones suit your holiday depends on the experiences you want to focus on.

A guided mountain biking tour passes through Villa Potrerillos to the lakeside area and as far as the entrance to the tunnel connecting Potrerillos and Cacheuta. If you're interested in this tour, you can include its described route in your excursion plans.

Getting there and choosing where to stay

Potrerillos can be reached by regular public transport services departing from the bus terminal. By private vehicle, you can reach the area via international Route 7, which connects Argentina with Chile, or via Route 82. You can take these travel options into account when deciding how to organise your trip.

Beyond the dam, Potrerillos also has valleys, hiking trails and viewpoints.

More places to consider for your trip: Los Árboles, La Consulta, Villa Nueva, Las Lenas, Tunuyán and Uspallata.

For the broader travel overview: Mendoza.