At the foot of the snow-capped Andes Mountains, in the west of Argentina, stretch the foothills and plains of San Juan. With highland desert, rock formations and lunar landscapes, the surroundings are awe-inspiring and especially favourite with those who love wind sports. Windsurfers and kitesurfers enjoy their wind sports to their heart's content at Rodeo, at the water reservoir of Dique del Viento – the Lake of Wind.
Windsurfing and Kitesurfing in Rodeo, West Argentina
The Zonda Wind blows from the Pacific Ocean, over the Andes Mountains, into the northwest of Argentina. It brings large differences in temperatures and can reach speeds of 120 kilometres per hour. The Zonda Wind is infamous for its ruthlessness and is known to drive people crazy. Nevertheless, international crowds are attracted exactly because of those speeds to go windsurfing or kitesurfing in Rodeo.
Rodeo is a picturesque, adobe village amidst a lunar landscape. Within walking distance lies the water reservoir of Cuesta del Viento – "Slope of Wind". If not the days, then the nights will cast a spell on the visitor: a magical place with black starry nights and a moon reflecting in the calm waters.
Cuesta del Viento is considered one of the best place in South America and Argentina for windsurfing and kitesurfing. In the morning the waters are calm, offering the possibility of kayaking or swimming. But from noon on the waters belong to the surfers. As the Zonda Wind increases by the hour, the higher a level of skill for surfing on the Cuesta del Viento is demanded.
Windsurfing Course at Playa Lamaral in San Juan
Not only is Cuesta del Viento and excellent destiny for lovers of wind sports, it is just as spectacular to bring a picnic and watch the windsurfers and kitesurfers using the wind to maximize their speeds and jumps. The best wind speeds are reached between mid-October and early May.
Playa Lamaral is home base to the surfers. On this part of the shore they have storage facilities for their surfboards and there is a bar. It is also the place for visitors to rent windsurfing equipment or to sign up for a windsurfing course.
Travel Information Rodeo – Location and Surfers Accommodation
San Juan Airport has domestic flights, and international flights to, among others, the United States. At the airport and in downtown San Juan you will find several car rental agencies; a rented car is the easiest way to travel to Rodeo, as well as to other tourist attractions in the province of San Juan, such as Ischigualasto Provincial Park.
Rodeo is located in the department of Iglesia and lies 180 kilometres north of the city of San Juan. Drive 164 kilometres north to Jackal via Ruta 40, which passes several wineries, and subsequently 44 kilometres west via Ruta 150. Rodeo has a Tourist Information [8am-8pm] that provides a list of places to stay – small hostels or bed & breakfasts. Playa Lamaral has a surfers' accommodation in the form of a basic dormitory.
The province of San Juan is a windsurfing and kitesurfing paradise, with Rodeo's Cuesta del Viento as ultimate spot to practise these wind sports. Fans of outdoor sports may also be interested in:
Karin-Marijke Vis - Karin-Marijke Vis is a bilingual writer (Dutch-English) who has been traveling in Asia and South America since 2003.
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