Mendoza River Rafting in Potrerillos: Half-Day Whitewater Adventure in the Andes
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
4–6 hours (about 1 hour on the river)
Fitness Level
Good general fitness; comfortable sitting in an active position and paddling through waves; confident in water.
Overview
Ride Andean whitewater on a half-day run of the Mendoza River in Potrerillos, where glacial melt turns the current playful in winter and punchy in summer. Expect Class II–III most of the year, rising to III/IV with big water—plus desert-mountain views, crisp air, and an easy city-to-river transfer.
Mendoza River Rafting in Potrerillos: Half-Day Whitewater Adventure in the Andes
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Dawn slides down the Andes as Route 7 leaves Mendoza and aims for the mountains. The road traces the Mendoza River, a silver ribbon flexing through ochre slopes, until the Potrerillos Dam flashes into view—a blue-green sheet backed by peaks and dry air that smells faintly of dust and jarilla. At the adventure base, guides cinch wetsuits, helmets, and life vests, running a clear safety briefing while the river mutters nearby as if impatient to get going. Minutes later, the raft noses into current and the Mendoza goes from background to main act, grabbing the tube and urging it forward.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Dress to get splashed
Wear a swimsuit or quick-dry base layer under the provided wetsuit and bring a warm change of clothes for after the river.
Protect against high-altitude sun
UV is intense around 1,300–1,500 m—pack SPF 50, lip balm, and sunglasses with a retainer.
Footwear matters
Closed-toe water shoes or sturdy sandals with heel straps grip wet rafts and protect toes on rocky banks.
Plan for a later return
Summer flows often mean afternoon return shuttles; budget extra time to relax by the lake or grab lunch in Potrerillos.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Andean condor
- Culpeo fox
History
The Potrerillos Dam, completed in the early 2000s, stabilized the Mendoza’s flow for irrigation and power along a corridor once served by the Transandine Railway to Chile.
Conservation
Flows depend on winter snowpack and glacial melt; pack out trash, secure micro-items like snack wrappers, and give condors wide space if nesting.
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Adventure Hotspots in Mendoza
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Quick-dry swimsuit or synthetic base layer
Stays warm when wet under the provided neoprene and prevents chafing.
Closed-toe water shoes or strapped sandals
Secure traction on wet rafts and rocky shorelines.
High-SPF sunscreen and sunglasses with retainer
Strong Andean sun reflects off water; protect skin and eyes.
summer specific
Towel and warm change of clothes
Cold river temps make a dry, cozy post-raft layer essential.
winter specific