Discover Collón Curá Department

Collón Curá Department can be explored through its towns and their different highlights. In the municipality of Piedra del Águila, the dam, viewpoints, fishing, and public art shape the range of topics. Santo Tomás is associated with the Fiesta del Agua Mineral and regional traditions. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to the region, it helps to set a clear priority: should your stay focus mainly on finding your way between towns, activities on the water, or cultural topics? This will help you tailor your search to your planned interests.

Getting oriented to towns and travel

Piedra del Águila is located on National Route No. 237, almost halfway between Bariloche, San Martín de los Andes, and the city of Neuquén. Santo Tomás can be reached via Provincial Route No. 47 and is 227 kilometers from the city of Neuquén. These details provide different reference points: for Piedra del Águila, its location between several destinations; for Santo Tomás, its distance from the city. Before driving to Santo Tomás, check current road conditions.

Neuquén as a broader travel context

In the wider destination of Neuquén, the Ruta de los Siete Lagos also passes through Piedra del Águila. The route connects Junín de los Andes, San Martín de los Andes, Villa La Angostura, and Villa Traful, and also passes through Villa Lago Meliquina. The drive can be completed in one day. By bicycle or motorcycle, with overnight stays at different campsites, the trip can take three or four days. In winter, conditions can affect activities. This information provides context for a longer route in Neuquén and does not describe individual routes within Collón Curá Department.

Views and outdoor activities around the dam

In Piedra del Águila, there is a publicly accessible viewpoint overlooking the Piedra del Águila Hydroelectric Dam. Access conditions may change; check conditions before visiting. The dam is 172 meters high and has been in operation since 1993. Opportunities for walks, mountain biking, canoeing, and fishing can be found around it. Piedra del Águila can also be explored on foot via its natural viewpoints. Mountain bike circuits in town can be used year-round; check current conditions before setting out.

Fishing on the river and at the reservoirs

Piedra del Águila has designated sport fishing spots that attract anglers from different parts of the world year after year. Among anglers worldwide, the Río Limay Medio is considered one of the best waters for salmonid fishing in northern Patagonia. Fishing is possible year-round at Embalse Pichi Picún Leufú, one of the two bodies of water near Piedra del Águila. These details offer different points of reference: designated fishing spots in town, the reputation attributed to the Río Limay Medio, and the year-round opportunity at the reservoir. Before fishing, find out about the regulations currently in force.

Culture in Piedra del Águila

The Paseo de las Esculturas in Piedra del Águila features sculptures made from recycled iron. Spanish sculptor Juan Borges Linares carved large figures into the ridges of Piedra del Águila. The carving “Maternidad India” is up to ten meters high and inspired by the history of Indigenous culture. The traditional Monumento al águila is one of the town’s typical natural and cultural resources. The Museo Arqueológico is dedicated to the history, traditions, and cultural heritage of the region.

Santo Tomás: festival and regional routes

The 13th Regional Festival and 1st Provincial Festival of Mineral Water (Fiesta Regional y Fiesta Provincial del Agua Mineral) took place in Santo Tomás on March 21 and 22, 2026. The program included gaucho competitions, a horseback parade, jineteadas, and musical performances. The festival brings together livestock farmers, artisans, and producers from the region. They showcase textiles, leatherwork, and goat meat raised with mineral water.

Santo Tomás is also part of the Ruta de la Esquila, a visitor route that shares the history and tradition of sheep shearing and the people involved. In 2022, the route was still being consolidated. The regional network also includes Paso Aguerre, El Sauce, Picún Leufú, and Villa del Puente Picún Leufú. Activities in the towns along the route include birdwatching, horseback riding, trekking, crafts, paleontology, and heritage tourism; individual activities and providers may change.

Discover more destinations: Piedra del Águila, Pehuenches Department, Chos Malal Department, Aluminé Department, Zapala Department, Los Lagos Department, Catán Lil, Añelo Department

For the broader travel overview: Neuquén.