Chacabuco Department: Waterfalls, Sierras and Pilgrimage Traditions

Waterfalls, trails in the Comechingones and living traditions give Chacabuco Department a range of travel experiences. If you are looking for a vacation rental or holiday home, first consider what you would like to focus on during your stay: nature and birdwatching, a day by the water or cultural discoveries. The destinations are in different parts of the department, so include specific place names in your search rather than choosing based only on a general landscape theme.

Discover waterfalls and landscapes

In the Quebrada de Villa Elena Nature Reserve in Cortaderas, the landscape follows the Arroyo Cortaderas through reddish granite formations. The Chorro Grande, also called Cascada de los Cóndores, is located there: the waterfall is more than 50 metres high. The reserve’s mountain ecosystem also offers opportunities for birdwatching, photography and nature tourism. This makes the striking rock landscape an option for both nature enthusiasts and wildlife watchers on an outing.

Also in Cortaderas is Cascada Esmeralda, also called Chorro Chico. Its drop is approximately nine metres high. It can be reached via a walk of about 90 minutes along the Arroyo Cortaderas, also known as Villa Elena, rated easy to moderate. When planning your day, take into account both the approximate walking time and the stated difficulty. Another waterfall destination is the 25-metre-high Chorro de San Ignacio, between Papagayos and Villa Larca.

The tourist complex at Chorro de San Ignacio includes a six-hectare site with camping areas, parking, quinchos, an Olympic-size swimming pool and a swimming area in the stream bed. Access is via Provincial Route No. 1: from Villa Larca, travel three kilometres south; from the end of the paved road, continue on foot for about 500 metres towards the Sierras. If you plan to visit this waterfall, you can take the described road and walking distances into account when choosing your day.

Sierra trails and views

For the ascent of 1,793-metre Cerro Negro, guides and baqueanos offer trekking tours through ravines and to springs in the Comechingones. The Camino Pintoresco Pedemonte in Villa del Carmen is another described way to experience the landscape on foot: the trail is 2.4 kilometres long, leads to the foothills of the Sierra de los Comechingones and offers views of mountain forest and a wide variety of birds. The two options differ in character: one focuses on a guided ascent, while the other is a trail with views of forest and birds.

Near Villa Larca is Piedra de Luz, a rock formation that appears to balance on a mountain slope. A circular walk from Establecimiento Piedra de Luz leads to viewpoints overlooking Quebrada del Tala and the expansive Valle de Concarán. Dique Piscu Yaco is a reservoir in the Sierra de los Comechingones. Water sports and walks are possible at Dique Boca del Rio; its access road is paved, signposted and lit.

Traditions, crafts and history

In Papagayos, the groves of caranday palms are among the local attractions. The palm is also the basis for handicrafts made by several families: palm leaves are used to create items such as hats, dolls and table decorations. The Festival de la Palmera Caranday brings together gaucho traditions, displays of Creole horsemanship, music and culture. In 2026, it was held for the 25th time.

A special date is the annual celebration in honour of Cristo de Renca on 3 May. A procession accompanied by music and dancing passes through the streets, with thousands of pilgrims taking part. At the Casa de los Gobernadores in Renca, direct stamping is available daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. In Villa del Carmen, Capilla Nuestra Señora del Carmen is considered the town’s most important historical and cultural heritage site. According to historian Juan W. Gez, the town was founded in 1873 around the former site of the chapel.

Cueva del Indio in Villa Larca also brings together nature and history: it is a natural hollow in a large rock. Human remains were found there, believed to belong to a member of an Indigenous community from the Comechingones area.

Discover more places in the department

The Costa de los Comechingones tourist route runs along Provincial Route No. 1 through Villa Larca. When looking for accommodation, you can first decide which of the places and interests described here matter most to you, and make your choice accordingly. Other departments at the same level: La Capital Department, Coronel Pringles Department, Junín Department, Ayacucho Department, Belgrano Department, Gobernador Dupuy Department.

Return to the main travel overview: San Luis.