Cuesta del Viento is a well-kept Argentinian windsurfing secret, with regular strong to gale-force afternoon and evening winds.
Where is Cuesta Del Viento?
Cuesta del Viento is in the west of Argentina, roughly central north-south in the country. Cuesta del Viento is found in the province of San Juan, part of the Cuyo Region, which comprises Mendoza, San Juan and San Luis states. Cuesta del Viento is roughly a 4-5 hour drive from Mendoza, 2-3 ours from San Juan, and San Luis is a further 3-4 hours south-east of San Juan from Cuesta del Viento.
It is possible to reach Rodeo (the nearest village) by bus from San Juan – these run roughly twice a day, but travellers with luggage may then have a problem reaching their accommodation if it is outside the village centre (this includes Rancho Lamaral hostel – although it is usually possible to find a lift with some patience).
Cuesta del Viento is just east of the Andes, and the lee slopes of the Andes are the cause of it's legendary windspeeds, generating the katabatic (thermal, mountain) winds that grace its shores nearly every afternoon.
What are the Origins of Cuesta Del Viento?
Cuesta del Viento was originally dammed in 1999 to provide water to drive the hydroelectic plant at its eastern end. In the process, the windiest lake in South America was created, providing awesome conditions for windsurfing. 10 years on, the lake attracts world-class professional windsurfers like Adrian Diaz, and has a fantastic reputation for almost guaranteed strong winds in the latter part of the day.
What is There to do at Cuesta Del Viento?
Windsurf! Then windsurf some more, and perhaps then a bit more windsurfing! Windsurfing at Cuesta del Viento is the main activity, although kite-surfing is gaining popularity as a viable activity too. However, Puerto de Palos (the main place to hire windsurfing equipment) does not allow kite-surfing – as Franco (one of it's owners) says, “It keeps the area safer for windsurfers”.
Kite-surfers will need to venture further east or west of Puerto de Palos, but the lake is more than big enough for all. The area is also extremely photogenic with beautiful mountains in the background and it's an awesome spot for windsurfing photography.
Cuesta del Viento is little known outside of Argentina, but is reputed to be the windiest lake in South America, which makes it ideal for serious windsurfers and kite-surfers. The strong winds are the result of katabatic (mountain thermal) winds, and usually reach 30-40knots (force 6-9) in the afternoon and early evening.
The legandary Zonda wind is actually not responsible for the awesome conditions, and produces flatter water, and often slightly less windy conditions. Beginners and intermediate windsurfers are likely to find conditions difficult, but should make the most of gentler winds in the morning and very early afternoon - these rarely last beyond 2pm!
Chiz Dakin - A keen mountain walker, scrambler, cyclist and occasional climber and sea kayaker for several years, Chiz Dakin has carried a camera with ...
