← Mendoza International Marathon·Day trip

Termas de Cacheuta: Thermal Pools Where the Race Begins

Warm thermal pools in the foothills near the marathon start, open every day, with a slow river, shaded picnic areas and a brewery restaurant.

DurationDay trip
TransitTaxi, private transfer or organised excursion, about 39 km from central Mendoza
DepartsCentral Mendoza

After the Mendoza International Marathon: Termas de Cacheuta

The Route: Mendoza → Cacheuta → Mendoza Logistics: Taxi, private transfer or an organised excursion for about 39 km each way. The route follows the Mendoza River upstream, the same valley the marathon runs down. Marathon Month: May Duration: Day trip

Central Mendoza ──(about 39 km by road)──> Termas de Cacheuta
        ▲                                          │
        └──────────────(same road back)────────────┘

The marathon starts on provincial route 82 near the Puente Colgante Cacheuta and finishes at the Parque General San Martín gates. The runner leaves the foothills before dawn on a bus and sees none of them. The Monday after the race is the chance to go back up the river valley and sit in warm water.

May in Mendoza: Autumn. Mendoza airport's May average runs from about 7°C at night to about 19°C by day, and the foothills are cooler than the city. That suits thermal water, which is more pleasant on a cool morning than in summer heat. Dress in layers for the ride and bring a towel and flip-flops that are easy to put on with stiff legs.

The thermal park is 39 km from the city and open all year from 10:00 to 18:00. The published tariff puts entry for anyone over 11 at ARS 19,000 (about £9.50) on weekdays and ARS 21,000 (about £10.50) at weekends and on public holidays. Children aged 3 to 10 pay a little less and under-threes go in free. Those figures are from an early-year tariff, so check the current prices before leaving.

Check whether a public bus serves Cacheuta at useful times. A taxi or private transfer with an agreed return time is the safer plan, and organised half-day and full-day excursions from Mendoza also run to Cacheuta and Potrerillos. Ask the hotel to book a driver who will wait or return at a fixed hour, and settle the fare before leaving.

The pools

The park has more than 10 pools at different temperatures, so the first job is to find the one that feels right and stay in it. There is also a 270-metre slow river, which carries a tired runner along with no effort, as well as water jets, bubble beds and slides that can be left alone. Steps down into the pools are the only part that asks for the legs, so use the handrails.

Programmes for visitors with disabilities and a children's area are listed. Food may be brought in, and picnic huts with grills are provided. There is also a restaurant on site, which includes a craft brewery. Check what is open on a weekday outside the holiday season.

The village

The village of Cacheuta is nearby and has local places to eat. Walking is short and the surface is not documented, so take it slowly. Most visitors stay at the park from late morning until mid-afternoon and then return.

Getting back

Return by the same road to central Mendoza, which takes the better part of an hour. Book the driver for a time when the pools are still open and the road is not yet dark. The last entry and the closing time of 18:00 are the limits to plan around.