Dique Cabra Corral is the largest reservoir in the Argentine northwest (NOA), located 80 km south of Salta city, Argentina (lat -25.3, lng -65.65), on the Juramento River at 1,037 m elevation. The 13,160-hectare (115 km²) lake is set in a semi-arid landscape of dry hills and green-blue water — typical of the Juramento valley. It's the main destination in Salta province for water sports, whitewater rafting and adventure: rafting through the Juramento canyon (10 Class III + 5 Class II rapids, run by Salta Rafting since 1997), windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayak, SUP, sailing, water skiing, pejerrey and dorado fishing, horseback riding and tandem paragliding with lakeside landing. The General Manuel Belgrano dam (113.75 m tall, built 1966–1972) powers a 102 MW hydroelectric plant. The town of Coronel Moldes is the base.
Getting there — distances & times
| From | Distance | Flight | Bus | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires (EZE) | 1500 km | 2 h 20 | 20–22 h | 15–17 h |
| New York (JFK) | 9400 km | 12 h + 2 h 20 layover | — | — |
| Madrid (MAD) | 11300 km | 14 h + 2 h 20 layover | — | — |
| São Paulo (GRU) | 2800 km | 4 h 30 | — | — |
| Córdoba | 890 km | 1 h 30 | 11–13 h | 9–10 h |
| Mendoza | 1200 km | 2 h | 17–19 h | 13–15 h |
Month-by-month climate
| Month | Temp. | Rain | Crowds | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16° / 28°C | 180 mm | Rainy summer | |
| Feb | 15° / 27°C | 155 mm | ||
| Mar | 14° / 26°C | 110 mm | ||
| Apr | 11° / 24°C | 30 mm | Dry season starts | |
| May | 8° / 22°C | 8 mm | ||
| Jun | 5° / 20°C | 3 mm | ||
| Jul | 4° / 20°C | 3 mm | Winter break | |
| Aug | 6° / 22°C | 5 mm | ||
| Sep | 9° / 25°C | 10 mm | Clear skies | |
| Oct | 12° / 27°C | 25 mm | ||
| Nov | 14° / 28°C | 60 mm | ||
| Dec | 16° / 28°C | 140 mm | Holidays |
Typical prices by category
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel/night | USD 15–25 | USD 50–90 | USD 150–350 |
| Food/day | USD 12–18 | USD 25–40 | USD 60–120 |
| Day tour | USD 40–55 | USD 60–90 | USD 120–200 |
| Car rental/day | USD 30–45 | USD 50–70 | USD 90–150 |
Approximate ranges in USD as of April 2026. May vary with Argentine peso exchange rate.
How to Get There
80 km south of Salta via RN 68, 1 hour on good pavement. The dam area is well signposted.
What to See and Do
Whitewater rafting on the Juramento River
Below the compensating dam, the Juramento canyon offers a 12 km descent with 10 Class III and 5 Class II rapids between red canyon walls. Salta Rafting (km 34 RP 47, Coronel Moldes) is the historic operator, founded in 1997 by Alberto "Grillo" Barthaburu — pioneers of rafting in northern Argentina. Open from age 5, no weight limit. IRF-certified guides. Full day includes the descent plus a traditional asado.
Other activities
Kayaking and boat trips, sport fishing (pejerrey, dorado), swimming (summer), horseback riding through the hills, tandem paragliding over the reservoir, lakeside barbecue.
When to Visit
- Best: September-May (warm enough for water activities).
- Winter: Good for fishing and horseback riding but too cold for water sports.
Practical Information
Entry free. Water activity operators near the dam. Basic to mid-range accommodation in Coronel Moldes. Budget: kayak rental USD 10-15, fishing guide USD 30-50.
