About Manso Waters Lodge

Born in Patagonia.
Built around the Manso River.

About Manso Waters Lodge

Apu, Emanuel Medina’s golden retriever, at Manso Waters Lodge in the Manso River Valley, Patagonia Argentina.

Apu

Emanuel Medina

Emanuel Medina, owner of Manso Waters Lodge and local rafting guide, paddling on the Manso River in Patagonia, Argentina.

Born and Raised in Bariloche

Meet Emanuel Medina, Owner and fishing Guide

My name is Emanuel Medina, owner of Manso Waters Lodge.

I grew up between Bariloche and the Manso River Valley, spending much of my life fishing, rafting, and traveling through the rivers, lakes, forests, and mountains of Northern Patagonia.

Long before Manso Waters Lodge became what it is today, I spent years working and traveling throughout this region, often accompanied by my golden retriever, Apu.

Those years gave me something that cannot be learned from a map: a deep understanding of the rivers, the mountains, the weather, the wildlife, and the people who call this valley home.

I am a professional fly fishing guide, Manso River rafting guide, and tourism technician, with decades of experience in fly fishing and outdoor activities around Bariloche and Patagonia.

So I put everything I learned into designing Manso Waters Lodge, a Patagonia fishing lodge and luxury retreat near Bariloche, Argentina.

When you stay with us, you’re not booking with a faceless company. You will be sharing and fishing with the person who built this place, who knows this river, and who will be here to welcome you.

Born and Raised in Bariloche

Meet Emanuel Medina, Owner and Fishing Guide

My name is Emanuel Medina, owner of Manso Waters Lodge.

I grew up between Bariloche and the Manso River Valley, spending much of my life fishing, rafting, and traveling through the rivers, lakes, forests, and mountains of Northern Patagonia.

Long before Manso Waters Lodge became what it is today, I spent years working and traveling throughout this region, often accompanied by my golden retriever, Apu.

Those years gave me something that cannot be learned from a map: a deep understanding of the rivers, the mountains, the weather, the wildlife, and the people who call this valley home.

I am a professional fly fishing guide, Manso River rafting guide, and tourism technician, with decades of experience in fly fishing and outdoor activities around Bariloche and Patagonia.

So I put everything I learned into designing Manso Waters Lodge, a Patagonia fishing lodge and luxury retreat near Bariloche, Argentina.

When you stay with us, you’re not booking with a faceless company. You will be sharing and fishing with the person who built this place, who knows this river, and who will be here to welcome you.

Emanuel Medina

Apu, Emanuel Medina’s golden retriever, at Manso Waters Lodge in the Manso River Valley, Patagonia Argentina.

Apu

Emanuel Medina, owner of Manso Waters Lodge and local rafting guide, paddling on the Manso River in Patagonia, Argentina.

Emanuel Medina

Apu

Apu, Emanuel Medina’s golden retriever, at Manso Waters Lodge in the Manso River Valley, Patagonia Argentina.
Emanuel Medina, owner of Manso Waters Lodge and local rafting guide, paddling on the Manso River in Patagonia, Argentina.

We improve Patagonia Lodge every year

Every season we improve the lodge and add something new for our guests.

This year, we opened the first sauna on the banks of the Río Manso. After a day of fly fishing, rafting, ride or hiking, you can relax by the river and feel the Patagonian air.

We built it together with the people who live in the valley. We used local materials like native wood, and we did it with respect for the land. For everything we build, we also plant trees to keep the balance.

I want Manso Waters Lodge to be a Patagonia eco lodge where comfort and nature go together.

Close-up of the wooden riverside sauna at Manso Waters Lodge, a luxury eco lodge on the Río Manso near Bariloche, Patagonia

We Teach the Kids of the Manso Valley in Bariloche

The families of the Río Manso valley are part of this lodge, and their kids are the future of this river.

I teach the children of the valley how to fly fish. We also give them their own fly fishing gear, so they can practice, work and be proud of where they live.

In our lessons, we teach them:

  • How to take care of the Río Manso and its resources
  • How to handle and release wild trout with care
  • Why wild trout need to thrive over time, so they can keep reproducing and growing


Every guest who stays with us helps make this possible.

Emanuel Medina teaching fly fishing to local children of the Río Manso valley, a community project of Manso Waters Lodge near Bariloche, Patagonia

We care for the forest in Argentine Patagonia

I believe a luxury retreat should leave the place better than it found it.

At Manso Waters Lodge, we respect the flora and fauna of the valley and promote environmental education among our guests, our team , and the local community.

  • We reforest the valley. We plant trees on the lodge grounds and give back to the land every time we build.
  • We build with local materials. Native wood and the work of local residents give our Patagonia eco resort its true character.
  • We protect wild trout. We teach responsible fishing so trout can reproduce and grow, and the Río Manso stays alive for future anglers.
  • We respect the flora and fauna. A Patagonia luxury retreat should still feel wild.
  • We educate. I teach the kids of the valley, our guests and our team how to care for the river.
Residents of the Río Manso valley learning about environmental care at Manso Waters Lodge, an eco lodge near Bariloche, Patagonia
Apu the golden retriever swimming in the Río Manso next to our drift boat with the guide and happy guests, Manso Waters Lodge, Bariloche, Patagonia

Meet our team of guides and follow us on Instagram!

Residents of the Río Manso valley learning about environmental care at Manso Waters Lodge, an eco lodge near Bariloche, Patagonia
Apu the golden retriever swimming in the Río Manso next to our drift boat with the guide and happy guests, Manso Waters Lodge, Bariloche, Patagonia

Meet our team of guides and follow us on Instagram!