Half-day white water rafting in Mendoza: 12 kilometers guided

Experience the thrill of navigating 12 km of white water, guided every paddle stroke.

Half-day white water rafting on the Mendoza River near Potrerillos, where you navigate rapids of varying difficulty with a professional bilingual guide, all equipment and transport included. The trip covers 12 kilometers downstream; groups run with a minimum of four participants and depart around 9am, returning by mid-afternoon. Not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy.

The Experience

You start with a safety talk and basic technique instruction from your guide before the group heads to the river. The Mendoza River winds through the mountain village of Potrerillos, surrounded by the landscape and the dam—the setting changes as you move downstream. The raft carries the group through rapids of different levels, some challenging and some gentler, so there's both difficulty and fun built into the same stretch of water. Your guide directs the boat and calls instructions as you go; the job of paddling and responding to the current is yours.

Everything you need comes with the booking: life jacket, helmet, paddle, wetsuit and neoprene boots, plus a bilingual guide (English or Spanish) and transport in a modern vehicle with heating and air conditioning. The total distance is 12 kilometers, and the whole experience runs about four hours from start to finish. Hotel pickup is included for hotels within the urban radius of Mendoza; if you're staying outside that area, you'll meet the group at the closest hotel to your location.

The excursion requires a minimum of four passengers to confirm, so check that the group size is set before your departure date. The tour departs around 9am and returns by mid-afternoon, which fits a morning or midday slot without eating the whole day. Personal insurance is included in the price.

What’s included

• Bilingual professional guide in English or Spanish.
• life jacket, helmet, paddle, wetsuit and neoprene boots.
• personal insurance.
• transport in a modern vehicle with heating and air conditioning.
• hotel pickup within Mendoza's urban radius.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by ParaViajantes Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to paddle rapids yourself rather than watch from a motorboat—you'll be hands-on with the oars while the guide navigates the route.

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Top questions

What's the Mendoza River like for someone who's never rafted before?

The Mendoza River has rapids of different levels throughout the 12-kilometer run, so you'll face both easier and harder stretches. The guide gives a safety talk and explains basic technique before you start, and stays with the group the whole time to direct the boat and call instructions. It's designed for both beginners and experienced rafters.

Do I need to bring my own wetsuit and helmet?

No—the rafting trip includes a wetsuit, neoprene boots, life jacket, helmet and paddle. You just bring yourself and wear clothes you don't mind getting wet.

How long does the whole thing take from pickup to return?

The experience runs about four hours total. The tour departs around 9am and returns by mid-afternoon, with the actual rafting covering 12 kilometers of the river.

What if I'm staying outside central Mendoza—do I still get picked up?

Hotel pickup is included for hotels within the urban radius of Mendoza. If you're staying outside that area, you'll meet the group at the closest hotel to your location instead.

Is there a minimum age or fitness requirement?

The minimum age is 12 years old. The activity is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy.

What happens if the group doesn't have four people?

The excursion requires a minimum of four passengers to confirm. Check with the operator before your date to make sure the group is set.