San Rafael, Argentina: The Perfect Place for Wine & Adventure
San Rafael, Argentina is an incredible area of Mendoza province, and a must for wine and adventure lovers! It is a popular day trip from Mendoza city, but we think it is worth a trip on its own. It is the gateway for Atuel Canyon, and is truly for any kind of traveler, no matter what your style, or how old you are.
Fede has family in Mendoza, so we got some great recommendations for visiting, and can't wait to make it back one day!
We spent a short 36 hours in San Rafael while visiting Mendoza, and it was packed with great wine, and lot's of adventure. We're not only sharing a complete guide for San Rafael, Argentina, but we also have group trips that we're offering here shortly! This guide will help you with everything you need to know in order to have the perfect trip, and is packed with local tips and hidden gems.
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📍Where is San Rafael in Argentina?
San Rafael is located in the region of Mendoza in western Argentina. It is 234 km south of Mendoza city, and a little over 3 hours away.
San Rafael is located just a few hours south of Mendoza.
How to Get to San Rafael, Argentina
Now that you know where San Rafael is, let's go over how to get there!
✈️ Where Do You Fly Into for San Rafael, Argentina?
The closest major airport to San Rafael is Mendoza Airport, which is 240 km north of San Rafael, and takes around 3 hours and 15 minutes in a car.
You can easily get to Mendoza by flying from Buenos Aires or Santiago, Chile, and also can fly there from Cordoba, Neuquen, Panama City, and Sao Paulo. Also, there are plans for direct flights to Mendoza from Spain in the near future, so that will be an easier option for those coming from Europe.
How Do You Get from Mendoza to San Rafael?
Now that you have gotten to Mendoza, it's time to get to San Rafael. There are three options for getting there, which are taking a bus, renting a car, or taking a tour.
🚌 Taking a Bus from Mendoza to San Rafael
The most affordable option for getting to San Rafael from Mendoza is by taking a bus. They leave regularly all day long, and are a 3 hour and 15 minute ride from the main bus terminal in Mendoza city.
🚗 Renting a Car from Mendoza
The easiest option for going to San Rafael from Mendoza is by renting a car.
We used a cool app called Rentennials, which is basically an Airbnb for cars! It's awesome because it's not only super affordable, but it also helps support locals in the area.
We have a special discount with Rentennials, so just email us and we'll hook you up.
🚎 Tours from Mendoza to San Rafael, Argentina
If you're short on time, and just visiting Mendoza for a few days, the easiest option for experiencing San Rafael and Atuel Canyon is by taking a tour. Tours leave early in the morning, visit for the day, and come back to Mendoza late in the evening.
Entry Requirements for Argentina
Now that you know how to get to San Rafael, Argentina, let's go over the entry requirements for getting into the country.
🇺🇸 What Do US Citizens Need to Enter Argentina?
US citizens just need a valid passport to enter Argentina, and can stay for a period of up to 90 days without needing a visa. I go in and out of Argentina very often, and find the customs officers to always be warm and welcoming to tourists when they arrive.
🛂 Visa Entry Requirements for Other Countries to Visit Argentina
Almost every nationality can enter Argentina visa-free for 90 days. The only nationalities that need to apply for a travel authorization are people from Kosovo, Nauru, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Taiwan, Tonga, and Tuvalu.
⛑ Is Health Insurance Required to Enter Argentina?
You do not need to have health insurance to enter Argentina, nor do you need any specific vaccinations before visiting.
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Local Adjustments for San Rafael, Argentina
When traveling to a new country, it's always important to learn about the local adjustments like the tipping culture, language, currency, and which plug adapter you'll need. Here are the basics for traveling to San Rafael, Argentina.
🗣 What Language is Spoken in San Rafael, Argentina?
Spanish is the official language in Argentina. While Buenos Aires has a thicker "traditional Argentinian accent", you'll find in San Rafael that they sound a little different. Their "ll and y" sound is much smoother, and they speak a bit more similar to Chileans (but are much easier to understand!).
💶 What Currency is Used in Mendoza, Argentina?
San Rafael uses the Argentinean peso. Actually, Argentina is one of the most unique countries in the world when it comes to currency exchange, so you'll want to read our Blue Dollar Travel Guide before visiting!
🔌 What Plug Adapter Do I Need for San Rafael, Argentina?
San Rafael, Argentina uses plug type I, which has three prongs- the bottom is vertical, and the two above it are slanted towards one another.
Argentina runs on a 220 V supply voltage and 50 Hz. There are very few countries that use this same plug type, and two of them are Australia and New Zealand. If you are coming from any other country, you will need to get a travel adapter.
🚰 Can You Drink Tap Water in San Rafael?
The water is perfectly safe to drink from the tap in San Rafael! We suggest bringing a reusable water bottle so that you can be a more eco-friendly traveler and save money too.
💸 What is the Tipping Etiquette in San Rafael, Argentina?
The general tipping etiquette in Argentina is to leave an extra 10% on top of your bill when dining out. This is typically for larger meals, and does not apply to services like coffee shops, nail salons, or taxi drivers, whom are typically not expected to work on tips.
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Things to Do in San Rafael, Argentina
Now that you know the basics for visiting San Rafael, Argentina, here are the best things to do in the area.
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Things to Do in San Rafael, Argentina: Explore Atuel Canyon
The number one highlight in San Rafael, Argentina is the famous Atuel Canyon. It's known for its stunning natural landscapes around it, as well as its variety of adventure activities to choose from.
Located an hour away from the city of San Rafael, this really is where all the action happens, and where we suggest spending most of your time while in San Rafael, Argentina.
🚢 Cruise Around the Canyon
Portal del Atuel (the longest running excursion business in Atuel Canyon) offers 1 hour boat rides around the canyon. The captain tells everyone about the the history and geography of the canyon, making it a great activity for once you arrive, and they also make a stop at one of their private beaches inside the canyon.
A boat ride is a great way to experience the different angles of Atuel.
🏖️ Visit the Beaches
While you can have a quick stop at the beach on the catamaran guide, we personally love the idea of spending a few hours to relax and enjoy the beauty of relaxing at one of the beaches.
Trips to the beaches start early in the morning, and you can spend the full day or even just a couple of hours swimming, sun bathing, or using the stand up paddle boards.
🛶 Rent a Canoe or Kayak
Another great way to enjoy Atuel Canyon is by renting a canoe or kayak, which are available right at the entrance.
👀 Check out the Viewpoints
Atuel Canyon is huge! While we love the views on the boat ride, there really are a ton of other great perspectives to enjoy the beauty of Atuel. Head to one of the viewpoints scattered around, or join one of the tours that has a stop at the viewpoints included.
Things to Do in San Rafael: Enjoy Activities on the River
Atuel Canyon is the main highlight, but the river flowing from the canyon itself is also a major highlight of the area.
🌊 Relax on the Water
Unlike the Mendoza River, Atuel River has a beautiful turquoise water, and has plenty of great areas to enjoy going for a swim. You'll find a variety of grassy areas, or rocks where you can set up your space and find natural pools along the riverside.
The river has plenty of great areas to relax.
🚣 Go Rafting
Rafting is the number one activity on the Atuel River! While rafting in Mendoza is typically higher intensity, rafting on Atuel Canyon is suitable for all ages.
It is super fun, and a great way to enjoy the beautiful landscapes surrounding the river!
🌙 Go Night Rafting
Rafting is one of the best experiences, but if you want something extra special, you can experience rafting at night too! With just the moon shining, it's a mysterious experience, and if it's a full moon, it's really magical.
💦 Try "Cool River"
Cool River is a really fun activity, and another great way to experience going down the river. Rather than rafting, you actually float down the river in a single tube. This is great for those that want even more adventure, and a fun and unique way to experience Atuel.
Things to Do in San Rafael: Other Fun Experiences in the Area
We couldn't believe the amount of activities that you could do right in one small area. Apart from the river and canyon, there are a ton of other fun things to do around Atuel Canyon in San Rafael, Argentina.
🏎️ Go on a 4x4 Tour
Driving around Atuel Canyon and the river you get to enjoy a ton of unique landscapes and viewpoints. Join a group tour on a 4x4 and you'll get an adventurous twist on sightseeing.
🥾 Go Trekking
The canyon has a variety of trails that you ca experience, most of which are best explored with a local. Unfortunately, we didn't have the time to do this, but it's one of the best ways to see special parts of the canyon you wouldn't be able to experience otherwise.
🧗 Try Rappel & Canyoning
Hiking into the canyons is fun, but getting down is even more fun! There are a few companies that include adventure packages, and rappel is a great way to enjoy the views from above, and make it down in an exciting way.
🍃 Try a Canopy Adventure
Ziplining is one of our favorite adventure activities! Get an adrenaline rush by swinging across the lake, while enjoying beautiful views on your way down.
✨ Try Out Some Astrophotography
Atuel Canyon and the surrounding area has little light pollution, therefore on a clear night you'll be able to enjoy a sky full of stars! If you're into photography, then definitely drive to an area with as little lights as possible and get some fun astrophotography shots.
Things to Do in San Rafael: Visit Embalse del Nihuil
While most people visit San Rafael, Argentina for Atuel Canyon, there is another gorgeous body of water an hour further down the road. Embalse de Nihuil is an artificial lake that also offers a variety of activities around it.
🚙 Ride the Dunes
Right outside the dam you can find giant sand dunes, and there are fun tours with jeeps that bring you on a wild ride up and down the dunes. Agencies can be found right in town next to Embalse de Nihuil.
🛶 Go Kayaking
Just like Atuel Canyon, Embalse de Nihuil is the perfect area to go kayaking. You can rent them right from the shore, from either Uka Shaka or Kayak Nihuil.
🧂 Things to Do in San Rafael: Explore Reserva Natural Laguna de las Salinas & Museo de la Sal
Right past Embalse de Nihuil are salt flats! Walk along them and enjoy this incredible natural landscape, and if it rains, you'll get to have an awesome reflection to experience, which is amazing for sunset.
⛰️ Things to Do in San Rafael: Discover Unique Landscapes
The drive from Embalse de Nihuil to Atuel Canyon is simply stunning! It has a variety of cool rock formations and landscapes to admire, and here are a few that you can check out along the way:
- Roca Double
- Museo de Cera
- Sillon de Rivadavia
- Garganta Natural
- Roca el Astronauta
