The Río Negro forms at the confluence of the Limay and Neuquén rivers, giving Confluencia Department its name. In Confluencia Department, river activities, museums and wine experiences cater to a range of travel interests. To choose where to stay, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on: should your stay mainly include riverside routes, winery visits, or dinosaur discoveries and viewpoints?

Riverside routes and activities on the Limay

The Paseo de la Costa runs along a 14-kilometer stretch of the Río Limay. This stretch has designated paths and bike paths, making it possible to explore the river area on foot or by bicycle. At the Paseo, visitors can book kayaking, canoeing and other water trips, as well as trekking activities, through local providers. If you have a specific activity in mind, it is best to check the options with the provider in advance, as offerings and availability may change.

Sport fishing is also possible along the riverbanks and at the bathing areas of Neuquén Capital. The Balcón del Valle offers another perspective on the area, with panoramic views of the entire city. The eighth edition of the 32 Millas del Limay connected Senillosa, Plottier and Neuquén Capital on a 60-kilometer route along the Río Limay. It included competition and tourism categories featuring Olympic kayaks and single- and double-seat touring kayaks. The route and variety of boats give an idea of how this edition put the river at the center of a sporting event.

Wine and rural excursions

Two wineries in Senillosa offer different experiences. Bodega Puerta Oeste offers vineyard tours, insights into the production process and personalized tastings with views of the valley. At Bodega Fincas del Limay, offerings include guided vineyard tours, visits to the modern production facility and guided tastings. Both offer a chance to learn more about the winemaking process, though the tours and tasting experiences described differ. Reservations and availability may change, so it is worth checking with each winery in advance.

In Centenario, Casa de Té Los Chalets combines a visit with walks through an orchard and the chance to pick seasonal fruit. It serves cakes, tarts, homemade rolls with artisanal jam, and a wide selection of infusions. This complements the wine experiences with a rural outing featuring food and drink. Seasonal fruit, offerings and operating arrangements may vary; check the latest visitor information before planning your visit.

Dinosaur discoveries and museums

In Villa El Chocón, the Museo Ernesto Bachmann displays original remains of Giganotosaurus carolinii and a life-size replica of its 195-centimeter-long skull. Comparing the fossil remains with the large skull replica gives the museum visit a specific paleontological focus. The museum also offered the “Paleontólogo por un día” program, which simulated the search for dinosaur fossils and was led by museum staff for children aged 2 to 10. This program is described as a past offering; check current visitor arrangements in advance.

The Museo de Sitio Las Huellas offers a different experience. Visitors can see dinosaur footprints from two elevated walkways outdoors, along the shore of Lago Ezequiel Ramos Mexía. The Museo del Botón in Villa El Chocón, meanwhile, showcases a collection of more than 26,000 buttons. In Neuquén Capital, the Saracco, Gregorio Álvarez and Paraje Confluencia are local museums with permanent exhibitions; the city is also home to the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. Together, these offer distinct cultural highlights: paleontological finds, lakeside tracks, an unusual collection and fine art.

Viewpoints and choosing where to stay

The El Chocón dam complex is worth visiting for more than its views: its main functions include flood control, electricity generation, tourism and recreation. The Represa del Chocón can be viewed from viewpoints at Embalse Ezequiel Ramos Mexía, the spillway structure and the hydroelectric plant’s panoramic viewpoint. These perspectives complement the museums and river activities with a look at the region’s infrastructure.

The area’s destinations and offerings provide different starting points for planning. If you want to explore several of them, choose where to stay based on the activities you actually plan to do.

Discover more destinations: Neuquén, Villa El Chocón, Plottier, Senillosa, Plaza Huincul, Centenario, Catán Lil, Aluminé Department.

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