Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in San Rafael

Picture the road out of town toward the Cañón del Atuel opening up in front of you — red rock walls on one side, the river cutting below on the other, and nothing but curves for the next forty kilometres. This is what a **motorcycle rental in San Rafael** is really for. You could push on past Valle Grande's kayak operators and lakeside restaurants, catch the light on Embalse Los Reyunos' suspension bridge, or just keep going until the road opens onto the wide water of Embalse El Nihuil. Ride it at your pace, stop wherever the view demands it, and be back in town for dinner.

San Rafael's centre is small enough to cover on foot, but its real draws — the canyon, the reservoirs, the bodegas scattered along the wine-route roads southeast of town — sit anywhere from thirty to well over a hundred kilometres out, on open, mostly empty pavement. A car makes that drive feel like a chore, and a bicycle turns it into an endurance test. A **scooter or motorcycle hire in San Rafael** covers the same ground in a comfortable half-day while keeping you in the open air, free to pull over at any lookout along Ruta 173.

Top 10 things to see in San Rafael by motorcycle

1. Cañón del Atuel — the signature ride out of town: a winding canyon road following the Atuel river, red-rock walls and lookout pullouts the whole way.
2. Valle Grande — the reservoir at the heart of the canyon, a natural turnaround point with kayak and rafting operators and lakeside restaurants.
3. Embalse Los Reyunos — a turquoise dammed lake further along the canyon road, known for its suspension bridge and photo viewpoints.
4. Embalse El Nihuil — the far end of the canyon route, a larger reservoir popular for windsurfing and sailing, and a good excuse to make a full day of it.
5. El Laberinto — a narrow, twisting stretch of the canyon road right above the river rapids, and one of the most photographed sections for riders.
6. Bodega Valentín Bianchi — a well-known winery just outside town, an easy short ride for a tasting stop with vineyard views.
7. Bodega y Cavas de Weinert / Bodega Suter — traditional wineries along the roads southeast of town, ideal for a leisurely half-day among the vines.
8. Plaza San Martín — the city's central plaza and a natural starting point for the day, with easy meeting spots for pickup.
9. Cerro Nevado — a long ride south toward this extinct volcano near Malargüe, for confident riders after a full day on open Patagonian-steppe roads.
10. Ruta 40 / Ruta Provincial 144 toward Malargüe — the classic Ruta 40 corridor, straight open riding through desert and vineyard landscape connecting on toward Las Leñas.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in San Rafael?

Argentina has no moped exemption, so a valid motorcycle licence from your home country is required even for a small-displacement scooter — bring it along with an International Driving Permit and your passport. Rental minimums tend to sit in the low twenties, though each company sets its own floor, and larger touring bikes are usually reserved for riders who can show real road experience. Expect a deposit, most often held on a credit card.

How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle in San Rafael?

A standard rental bike runs roughly 30,000–40,000 ARS per day in low season and 45,000–60,000 ARS in high season, with larger or newer premium models reaching 70,000–100,000+ ARS per day.

• Prices peak in January–February, around the Fiestas de la Vendimia, and again in July when winter school break sends traffic toward Las Leñas.
• Semana Santa brings a brief spike as well.
• April–June and September–November are the cheapest months, outside school holidays.

When to book a rental motorcycle in San Rafael?

High season runs December through February, plus a second bump in July — book ahead for either, since bikes and better rates go fast. If you can travel in the shoulder months, April to June or September to November, you'll find lower prices and quieter roads through the canyon, with none of the summer crowds at Valle Grande or the wineries.

Local traffic rules in San Rafael

Argentina drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for riders and passengers, and enforcement on motorcycles is routine. Keep your low beam on at all times once you're out on rural routes — most local riders never switch it off. Urban streets are capped around 40 km/h, avenues around 60 km/h, and open rural routes around 110 km/h, though signage on Ruta 173 through the canyon will often set a lower limit. Motorcyclists face a stricter blood-alcohol limit than car drivers, and several provinces apply zero tolerance — the safest rule riding here is simply not to drink at all before getting on the bike.

Types of motorcycles available

On our website you can rent the following types of motorcycles: cruiser, sport, touring, standard, classic, dual-purpose, dirt bikes, street, naked bikes or roadsters, choppers, custom, streetfighter, sport-touring, dual-sport, on-road, off-road, adventure motorcycles, supermoto, scrambler, motorcycle with sidecar, enduro, motocross mx, trail, motards, tricycles, bikes with automatic or manual gears, luxury motorbikes.

Models of motorcycles available

On our website you can hire motorcycles from the following manufacturers: BMW, Harley Davidson, Aprilia, Buell, Cagiva, Ducati, Gilera, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, Jawa, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Benelli, Bajaj, Indian, Royal Enfield, TVS, Beta, Bimota.

Which insurance is provided?

Most providers include basic third-party liability insurance in the rental price, with options to upgrade to fuller coverage that reduces or removes your deposit liability in case of damage or theft. Always confirm exactly what is and isn’t covered before you set off.

Extra services available

When you make an online motorbike reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, or delivery to your chosen address.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Compare prices from multiple local rental companies in one place;
• Read reviews from previous customers;
• Reserve online with a Best Price Guarantee;
• Friendly support if your plans change.

Most of our motorcycle rental providers have years of experience and will equip you with a well-maintained bike, helmet and insurance for the ride ahead. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a motorcycle locally, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!