Cacheuta Hot Springs (Termas de Cacheuta)
Natural hot springs in the Andean foothills, 38 km from Mendoza city. The most popular day trip in the province — and the perfect rest day between winery visits.
The Termas de Cacheuta sit in the Mendoza River canyon, in the Luján de Cuyo department. Thermal water emerges from the mountain at different temperatures and feeds open-air pools overlooking the river and the foothills. They operate year-round: the water park rules in summer, while the heated pools and steam grottos of the spa are the winter draw.
Water park or hotel spa: which one to pick
Cacheuta is really two separate operations, and it pays to know before you go — a ticket to one is not valid at the other.
- Parque de Agua Termal (thermal water park): the classic day out. Open-air thermal pools at various temperatures, water slides and a riverside beach area. Family-oriented; you pay a day entrance.
- Hotel & Spa Termas Cacheuta: the quieter, spa-style experience. A thermal circuit with steam grottos, indoor and outdoor pools, and a day-spa option that includes lunch. Advance booking required, with a daily visitor cap.
Getting there from Mendoza
- By car: take Provincial Route 82 past Chacras de Coria — about 45 minutes from downtown. The drive through the river canyon is part of the experience.
- By bus: regular services leave Mendoza’s main bus terminal for Cacheuta and Potrerillos (Expreso Uspallata line). Check the day’s timetable before you travel.
- By tour: most Mendoza agencies run excursions with transport and entrance included, often combined with the Potrerillos reservoir — the easiest option if you haven’t rented a car.
What to bring
- Swimsuit, towel and flip-flops (essential).
- Sunscreen and a hat: mountain sun is strong even in winter.
- A warm layer for getting out of the water in the cold months.
- Cash or card for extras; cell signal in the canyon is patchy.
Combine it with Potrerillos
The Potrerillos reservoir is 15 minutes further along Route 82. Hot springs in the morning plus an afternoon at the lake — or white-water rafting on the Mendoza River — makes the most complete day trip in the area. Licensed local operators are listed below.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Cacheuta hot springs from Mendoza?
By car via Route 82 (about 45 minutes), by Expreso Uspallata bus from Mendoza’s main terminal, or on an agency day tour with transport and entrance included.
How hot is the water?
The water emerges hot from the mountain and is distributed across pools of different temperatures, from lukewarm to very hot, so you can alternate between them through the day.
Do I need a reservation?
For the Hotel & Spa, yes — the day spa has a daily cap and sells out on weekends. The water park generally sells same-day tickets, though in holiday season it’s worth arriving early.
How much does it cost?
Prices for both the water park and the hotel day spa change every season, so we don’t publish numbers that go stale — check each operator’s official channels before visiting. As a guide, the water park is the budget option and the hotel day spa the premium one (lunch included).
Is it open in winter?
Yes, year-round. In winter the heated pools and steam grottos are the highlight, and many visitors pair the springs with a snow day higher up the Andes on the same route.
Does it fit into a wine-focused trip?
Perfectly. Cacheuta is in Luján de Cuyo, one of Mendoza’s main wine regions, so a morning at the springs combines naturally with an afternoon tasting — or use it as a rest day between winery days.
Adventure operators in Cacheuta and Potrerillos
Operators licensed by the Mendoza tourism board for rafting, trekking, horseback riding and more in the area: