Located in the spa city of Termas de Río Hondo, the Termas de Río Hondo Circuit is Argentina’s premier international motorsport venue and one of South America’s most modern racing facilities. Opened in 2008 and extensively redeveloped to international standards, the circuit combines fast, flowing corners with modern infrastructure that has made it a favourite among MotoGP riders and teams.
Best known for hosting the Argentine motorcycle Grand Prix, the venue has become a symbol of Argentina’s return to world championship motorcycle racing while supporting a growing calendar of national and international motorsport events.
Today the circuit serves as one of Latin America’s leading centres for motorsport competition, driver development and automotive tourism.
In Brief
- The circuit opened in 2008 and was extensively redeveloped in 2013.
- MotoGP returned to Argentina here in 2014 after a fifteen-year absence.
- The venue was redesigned by Italian circuit architect Jarno Zaffelli.
- The city of Termas de Río Hondo is famous for its natural thermal springs.
- The circuit is regarded as one of Latin America’s most modern permanent racing facilities.
- MotoGP weekends attract fans from across South America.
History
The original circuit at Termas de Río Hondo opened in 2008 as part of Argentina’s commitment to developing modern motorsport infrastructure outside the country’s traditional racing centres.
Recognising the opportunity to attract major international championships, the venue underwent a comprehensive redevelopment between 2012 and 2013 under the direction of renowned circuit architect Jarno Zaffelli. The redesigned layout met the highest FIA and FIM safety standards while preserving the circuit’s fast and flowing character.
In 2014 the circuit welcomed the return of the Argentine motorcycle Grand Prix, ending Argentina’s fifteen-year absence from the MotoGP calendar and establishing Termas de Río Hondo as one of the championship’s most enthusiastic destinations.
Since then, the venue has continued to grow in international importance while hosting national touring cars, motorcycle championships and endurance competitions.
Circuit Design
The Grand Prix circuit measures 4.805 kilometres and consists of 14 corners arranged in a clockwise direction.
The layout balances long straights with flowing medium- and high-speed corners that reward smooth driving and confident riding. Rather than relying on tight technical complexes, the circuit encourages maintaining momentum while offering several heavy braking zones that create overtaking opportunities.
Wide run-off areas and generous track width allow multiple racing lines, producing close competition across both motorcycle and automobile categories.
The warm Argentine climate and generally consistent track conditions further contribute to the circuit’s reputation for exciting and competitive racing.
LENGTH
4.805
kilometres
WIDTH
16
metres
DIRECTION
CW
clockwise
TURNS
14
5 left – 9 right
SURFACE
Asphalt
LONGEST STRAIGHT
794
metres
ELEVATION CHANGE
10.3
metres
OPENED
2008
18 years ago
Termas de Río Hondo combines long-radius corners, substantial braking zones and extended periods of acceleration, creating a relatively open and fast lap where maintaining momentum is particularly important. The opening section establishes this character through a mixture of medium-speed turns before competitors build speed towards the circuit’s longer acceleration zones.
The middle and later sections alternate flowing corners with stronger braking demands, including the approach to the tight Turn 5 after the long back straight. Several prolonged bends place sustained loads on the tyres, while the final part of the lap rewards accurate positioning and a clean exit as competitors accelerate back towards the start and finish straight.
Rather than relying on dramatic elevation or densely connected technical sequences, Termas de Río Hondo’s challenge comes from carrying speed efficiently across its broad, flowing geometry. Riders who remain smooth through the longer corners while preserving braking stability and traction are generally rewarded most strongly.
| Corner |
|---|
| T1 161° · Right · 195 m |
| T2 150° · Left · 168 m |
| T3 051° · Right · 22 m |
| T4 030° · Right · 187 m |
| T5 170° · Right · 132 m |
| T6 076° · Left · 353 m |
| T7 081° · Right · 48 m |
| T8 095° · Right · 199 m |
| T9 091° · Left · 71 m |
| T10 029° · Right · 78 m |
| T11 117° · Left · 315 m |
| T12 027° · Right · 150 m |
| T13 161° · Right · 157 m |
| T14 053° · Left · 33 m |
Termas de Río Hondo established itself internationally through the return of the Argentine Motorcycle Grand Prix, bringing MotoGP back to Argentina in 2014 after more than a decade away. The event gave South America a prominent place on the modern Grand Prix motorcycle calendar and attracted riders, manufacturers and enthusiasts from across the region.
The circuit has also supported Argentina’s strong domestic automobile-racing culture, hosting major national categories alongside its international motorcycle programme. Its modern facilities provided the country with a venue capable of presenting both Argentine competition and World Championship motorsport within the same complex.
Termas de Río Hondo therefore occupies an important position as a connection between international motorcycle racing and South American motorsport culture. Its MotoGP history gave Argentina a major global event while strengthening the circuit’s role as a sporting and tourism destination for enthusiasts from across Latin America.
Visitor Experience
Visitors enjoy a welcoming atmosphere that reflects Argentina’s enthusiasm for motorsport.
Modern grandstands provide excellent views of the circuit’s flowing layout, while the nearby city of Termas de Río Hondo offers thermal spas, hotels and restaurants that have long attracted domestic and international visitors. During MotoGP weekends, the city transforms into a vibrant festival celebrating motorcycle culture, with fans travelling from across Latin America.
The combination of racing, local hospitality and the region’s famous hot springs creates an experience unlike any other venue on the MotoGP calendar.
Climate
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rainfall mm | Rainy days | Daylight h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31° | 23° | 219 | 17 | 13.6 |
| February | 29° | 22° | 170 | 15 | 13.0 |
| March | 28° | 21° | 163 | 16 | 12.2 |
| April | 24° | 18° | 91 | 12 | 11.4 |
| May | 21° | 14° | 42 | 9 | 10.8 |
| June | 19° | 11° | 26 | 6 | 10.4 |
| July | 19° | 10° | 15 | 4 | 10.6 |
| August | 22° | 12° | 15 | 3 | 11.2 |
| September | 25° | 15° | 31 | 5 | 12.0 |
| October | 28° | 18° | 80 | 10 | 12.8 |
| November | 29° | 20° | 112 | 13 | 13.5 |
| December | 30° | 22° | 175 | 15 | 13.8 |
Monthly averages for The Termas de Rio Hondo Circuit, 1991–2020.
Generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026 (CC BY 4.0).
Neither the European Commission nor ECMWF is responsible for any use that may be made of the Copernicus information or data it contains.
Location
The circuit is located on the outskirts of Termas de Río Hondo in northern Argentina, approximately 80 kilometres north-west of Santiago del Estero.
The surrounding region is renowned for its thermal waters and year-round warm climate, making it a popular destination beyond motorsport.
Address
G4220 Termas de Río Hondo
Río Hondo, Santiago del Estero
Argentina
Website