Cinco Saltos

Cinco Saltos is in the Alto Valle of Río Negro, on the northern bank of the Neuquén River, a few kilometres from where it meets the Limay. It has 27,596 residents (2022 census) and is considered the birthplace of the region’s fruit farming.

Things to do

• Ruca Có peninsula: 12 km from downtown on Lake Pellegrini, with weekend houses; one of the busiest summer spots in the area.
• Provincial Water Festival: held since 1976 at Lake Pellegrini, honouring water as the valley’s vital resource.
• National Fruit-growing Festival: the town is its home.
• La Picasa International Film Festival: since 2017, in March.

History

The first inhabitants were Mapuche. From 1914 settlers of many origins arrived, and in 1918 the Southern Railway set up a 24-hectare experimental farm here with fruit trees brought from Australia, giving a boost to pears and apples across the valley. The local development commission was formed on 16 September 1925. In 2009 the town baked the world’s longest apple tart, 201 metres long.

Distances: Alto Valle · 12 km from the Ruca Có peninsula