10 Most Beautiful Lakes Worth Seeing In Argentina

Argentina is located in the northernmost part of South America. It has a total area of 2,780,400 km (1,074,850 sq. mi), making it the eighth-largest country in the world. Although the Spanish and Portuguese first came to the area in the 15th century, it wasn’t until the early part of the 16th century that the Spanish established a permanent settlement.

It has a population of about 45.85 (2021) million people. This is a country of 38 provinces and one autonomous city. In 1536, the first governor of the Río de la Plata Province, Pedro de Mendoza, founded Buenos Aires, which is now the capital of Argentina.

Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, means “Good Air” in Spanish and was named after the air quality in the city. The city is also known as the “Paris of South America” due to its French origins.

Argentina has a plethora of most beautiful lakes, and if you have never been to Argentina, you need to go: Lake Nahuel Huapi with its Maitena glacier, the Bogotá with its bizarre rock formations, the salt lakes, and the gorgeous lakes of Argentina itself.

The lakes attract tourists with their clear, blue water and unmatched natural beauty. Lakes in Argentina provide tourist activities such as boating, swimming, fishing, camping, and hiking. Here are the ten most beautiful lakes every travel enthusiast worth seeing in Argentina.

1. Nahuel Huapi Lake; Argentina

Nahuel Huapi Lake is a large lake in the Andes mountain range of Argentina. It is located in the Nahuel Huapi National Park and is Argentina’s largest lake by volume; and also holds the title of the second largest lake in South America after Lago Titicaca.

The lake is 220 kilometers long and 70 kilometers wide, with a surface area of 12,400 square kilometers.

With its proximity to the Andes Mountains, Nahuel Huapi Lake in Argentina is one of the most visited destinations in the country. When people visit the lake, they often stay for at least a few days.

If you want to see the lake, you should make sure you have a great weather forecast, since it gets freezing in the lake in winter.

2. Argentino Lake; Lago Argentino Department, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina

Argentino lake in Argentina is the largest in Argentina at 2,300 square kilometers and the largest natural lake in South America. It is located in the Northwest of Argentina, between the provinces of Jujuy and Salta, and it is located near the city of El Carmen de Olavarria. It is fed by the Desaguadero River, La Piedra and La Diamante, and is a reservoir for the Villarrica and Salado rivers.

3. Lácar Lake; Lácar Department, Neuquén Province, Argentina

Lácar Lake is a beautiful lake located in the Neuquén province. It is said that Lácar Lake is the most accessible lake in Argentina. Its size is 6 km long and 3 km wide. It has a surface of 12 km, 3,000 m of which is water.

Lácar Lake is a blue lake surrounded by thick forest, and It is the perfect place to take a break and enjoy the tranquility of nature. It has outstanding biodiversity with many species of flora and fauna, and there are many ways to travel there.

Activities like fishing, hiking, and bird-watching are all popular. The site has a rich history, being the birthplace of several important Argentine politics and culture figures.

4. Traful Lake; Los Lagos Department, Neuquén Province, Argentina

Traful Lake is the second largest of the four lakes of Los Lagos Department, Neuquén Province, Argentina. It is located in the municipalities of Traful, Capilla del Monte, Los Yébenes, and Villas de Cura. It has a surface area of approximately 20,000 hectares. Traful Lake is a deep lake, and its average depth is about 150 meters.

If you enjoy outdoorsy activities, Traful Lake is the place to be. It has so much to offer, from swimming and kayaking to hiking, cycling, and camping. In addition, the area has a high concentration of lakes, mountains, and waterfalls, making it a perfect destination for adventure-seekers and nature lovers.

5. General Carrera Lake; Lago Buenos Aires Department, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina

General Carrera Lake is located in Southern Argentina, South of the city of Bariloche. The lake is situated in a natural reserve area, surrounded by the Canadian National Park of Los Glaciares and the National Parks of General Carrera and Lago Buenos Aires.

The history of General Carrera Lake; Lago Buenos Aires Department, Santa Cruz Province comes from the Spanish conquistador, Pedro de Mendoza. He founded a fort at this location, which was called “Resguardo de Buenos Aires”.

The lake was named “Lago General José de San Martín” in his honor, but it was officially named “Lago Buenos Aires” in 1930.

South of the border, General Carrera Lake is a natural tourist attraction that includes a nature reserve with over 40 kilometers of trails, an ecological park, a zoo, and other attractions. In the northern part of the lake is a massive rockin’ resort. If you visit, find out more about its history, and make sure to take in the sights from its spectacular restaurant.

6. Alumine Lake; Aluminé Department, Neuquén Province, Argentina

Alumine Lake is one of the largest lakes and most visited tourist attractions in the Neuquén province. It lies on the eastern side of Neuquén city. Alumine Lake is known for its natural beauty, including a glacier-fed lake called Aluminé Lake, the largest Lake in South America.

It is accessible from the Plaza Carlos Gardel, from which it is easily seen. Alumine Lake is bordered by terracing, which you can see in the river channel intersecting with the lake.

Alumine Lake covers an area of 196 km and has an average depth of 1.5 km. It was formed due to the flooding of the previous lake, the Mar Chiquita, which existed at the same site. The water level at the peak of Alumine Lake is 1.98 meters above sea level.

The history of Alumine Lake and the Aluminé Department in the Neuquén Province of Argentina is inextricably linked to the mining and processing of a rare heavy metal called alumina. The story of how this resource—the key component in the production of aluminum—was discovered. The region’s subsequent economic and social development is well-known and remains an essential part of the national heritage.

There is a lovely beach by the shores of Lake Aluminé, an important volcanic lake in the Neuquén Province, Argentina. It is also an excellent place to practice Rock Climbing, Kitesurfing, and many other sports related to the water. In addition, you can rent boats or kayaks and try different activities.

7. Laguna del Diamante; San Carlos Department, Mendoza Province, Argentina

Laguna del Diamante is a large desert and freshwater lake in Argentina. It is a national park and a popular tourist attraction. The lagoon is about 105 km long, and the entire lake is approximately 6,440 km.

Laguna del Diamante is the primary source of water for the city of San Carlos, which has a population of over 100,000. Visitors can participate in various activities at the lagoon, such as swimming, surfing, kite-surfing, canoeing, and paddleboarding. The lagoon is also home to wildlife such as flamingos, pelicans, turtles, and dolphins.

8. Puelo Lake; Cushamen Department, Chubut Province, Argentina, in Patagonia

Puelo Lake, the largest lake in the Chubut province of Argentina, is an oasis of tranquility in the middle of the desert. One of the most famous hiking trails in the region, Itapua (meaning “crossing”), leads to the lake, where a series of beautiful waterfalls and rivers are found.

In the past, the lake was a sacred place that a local farmer called Juan Bautista wished. However, a long time ago, the lake was created by melting the glacier, and it has changed over time.

Although its surface is now about 10 meters higher than in the past, the lake continues to show signs of its history. The lake is home to many migrating birds that come to the area worldwide.

Puelo Lake is a beautiful place for swimming and fishing. It also has an excellent hot spring for those who want to relax and enjoy the scenery. Puelo Lake offers various recreational activities such as trekking, fishing, boating, camping, and horseback riding.

9. Futalaufquen Lake; Futaleufú Department, Chubut Province, Argentina

Futalaufquen Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Patagonia and is located in the Futaleufú Department, Chubut Province. It is roughly 400 meters in length, with a maximum width of 300 meters. The lake has very clear water. The edges of the lake were carved into cliffs by glaciers, creating many spectacular waterfalls.

The famous Futaleufú Falls cascade between the banks of the lake, which is surrounded by dense vegetation and an impressive number of endemic bird species. At the moment, the lake is in the middle of a significant ecological restoration project, which is seeking to restore the lake to its original size and health.

You can swim in the lake, camp, mountain bike, go fishing, go boating, or go hiking. The lake has a special place in our hearts because it is the place where the Chubut River meets the Atlantic Ocean.

10. Huechulafquen Lake; Huiliches Department, Neuquén Province, Argentina, in Patagonia

Lake Huechulafquen, one of Argentina’s largest lakes, began around 9,000 years ago when the first inhabitants arrived in the region.

Huiliches Lake is the second largest in Patagonia. It is fed by a rainwater-fed river that leaves the Andes at an altitude of about 2400m and flows into the lake at the height of about 1600m.

The lake is known locally as “Los Huiliches” (the Huiliches), or more simply as “Huiliches.” Its official name is Huiliches Lake, and it is located in a protected area called “Los Huiliches National Park.”

Since the time of the Inca civilization, Lake Huechulafquen has attracted a great deal of interest due to its importance in the province of Neuquén.

Huechulafquen Lake has a unique ecosystem with a variety of flora and fauna. The most popular activity around the lake is fishing, which people from the region and worldwide do.

The lake is a source of vital water and hydroelectric power for the province and a natural attraction as a fishing spot, a tourist attraction, and a recreational site.

Patagonia region is an area that lies between the Andes mountain range and the Pacific Ocean. It is a province that is very under-explored by tourists.