subject: Mendoza: Hotel and Water Sports in the Same Combo [print this page] Mendoza: Hotel and Water Sports in the Same Combo
Every year, lots of visitors from the most diverse countries and regions come to Mendoza province to spend their their holidays. The province of Mendoza is a paradise of nature and a gastronomic adventure. There is so much to see and experience that a nice sleep at any Mendoza Hotel will not be enough to get our energies back. That is why our tripping itinerary should be organized and coordinated to seize our time as far as possible. When visiting Mendoza we should not forget to travel to the Atuel Canyon and the Grande Valley in San Rafael.
Just 20 kilometers away from the city of San Rafael, through the Provincial Route N 173, we can find the beginning of the tourist region of the canyon, where the Atuel River has a impressive panoramic set, especially with the mountains that shelter it, like real actors.
The main section is located between the artificial lakes of the Grande Valley and the Nihuil. The closing of the river is in the canyon area itself, and along its throat some dams have been built to hold back the river to regulate the flow, in order to irrigate farmland and generate energy. Two artificial lakes crown the beauty within the canyon, the Tierras Blancas and the Aisol. The area where water sports are practiced is also the place where the pentathlons are performed, which includes windsurfing competitions, biking, kayak, cycling and pedestrians disciplines.
Only 18 miles from the start of the Atuel Canyon we can get to the Valle Grande, or 38 kilometers away from San Rafael, if we drive along the Provincial Route No. 173.
It is a deep blue volume of water that is surrounded by rugged mountains and thick vegetation. It is the ideal place for diving, swimming, water skiing, rowing, kayaking, rafting, jet skiing and windsurfing. On the banks of the river we can see a wide range of cabins, lodges and hotels, and even some camping areas that offer basic services. And of course, sport fishing tours and trekking, horse riding, four track, and mountaineering circuits.
The Atuel Canyon and the Grande Valley are places worth visiting during our trip to the capital city. Not too far from any Mendoza Hotel, nature exhibits its charms in these areas, inviting us to enjoy ourselves and fall deeply in love with the landscape and the sunshine of Cuyo region.
