Agua de los Palos
Natural mountain pool with restaurant. One of the most refreshing and picturesque spots in the area.
Agua de los Palos is a mountain property at the foot of Cerro Las Gemelas, within Estancia Las Gemelas, about 1,350 meters above the Punilla valley. It is a classic day trip in Capilla del Monte: it combines a large semi-Olympic pool with a wooden deck, a restaurant with a mountain refuge spirit, a children's play area, parking, and WiFi. Beyond the pool, it serves as a starting point for a host of outdoor activities: horseback riding, trekking, birdwatching, photo safaris, paragliding, and the Via Crucis of fifteen stations sculpted in stone. From its trails you can reach the summit of Las Gemelas, with views of Cerro Uritorco, and the stream's waterfalls and natural pools. An ideal plan to spend the day among hills, water, and good food with the family.
What makes this place unique
- Large semi-Olympic pool with wooden deck and spring water
- Restaurant with a mountain refuge spirit, bar, and cocktail lounge
- Trekking to the summit of Cerro Las Gemelas with views of Uritorco
- Horseback riding, paragliding, birdwatching, and photo safaris
- Via Crucis of fifteen stations sculpted in stone amidst the mountain forest
A bit of history
The complex was built in 1942 by Juan Barbero, an Italian immigrant who owned Estancia Las Gemelas. On stone terraces and stairways, entering the 1950s, he built the café, the pool, and the property's trails. Barbero also planned the Las Gemelas neighborhood and piped water for the area from Dique El Tala, with a system of pipes and reservoirs still in use today. After years of neglect, the current owners resumed the project: reconstruction began in 1992 and the place reopened in January 1993, recovering Barbero's original spirit as a mountain outing.
URI's tips
It's best to go early to make the most of the day, since it closes in the late afternoon-evening and there's no dinner. If you plan to go horseback riding or guided trekking, check schedules and availability by phone or on social media before heading up. Bringing cash is practical for activities and purchases. The final dirt access is suitable for a regular car, but take it easy.
What to bring
Swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen for the pool, comfortable or trekking shoes for the trails, a hat and water, and a light jacket because it gets cool in the mountains in the late afternoon.
This is what Agua de los Palos looks like
How to get to Agua de los Palos
7 km from downtown Capilla del Monte. About 15 to 20 minutes by car.
From the center of Capilla del Monte, take Avenida Pueyrredon and then Avenida Las Gemelas, always straight ahead and with a signposted road. The final stretch is dirt but in good condition and passable by regular car. The property is about 7 km from the center and you can drive right up to the complex, where there is free parking; no walking is needed to access it, although trekking and horseback riding activities depart from there.
Hiking routes around Agua de los Palos
Data from the Wikiloc community. Always check conditions and entry hours.
What everyone asks
How much does it cost to enter Agua de los Palos?
Entry to the property is free. What you pay for are the activities (horseback riding, guided trekking, paragliding), the use of the pool, and whatever you consume at the restaurant.
How do you get there from the center of Capilla del Monte?
Take Avenida Pueyrredon and then Avenida Las Gemelas, always straight ahead and with signage. It's about 7 km, about 15 to 20 minutes by car. The last stretch is dirt but in good condition, suitable for a regular car.
Does it have a pool and a restaurant?
Yes. It has a semi-Olympic pool with a wooden deck and a mountain-refuge-style restaurant, with a bar, cocktail lounge, breakfasts, afternoon snacks, and lunches. It operates as a day outing, without dinner service.
