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Where is San Juan located?
- San Juan is one of Argentina's 23 provinces, located within the western portion of the country near the La Rioja, Mendoza, and San Luis provinces and the country's border with Chile.
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What is San Juan known for?
- The 89,651-square-kilometer province is known for its wine and olive oil production, home to lush oases and robust rivers that dot the otherwise scarce landscape.
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What is the capital of San Juan?
- It is home to the capital city of San Juan.
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1. Casa Natal de Sarmiento
Explore the birthplace of Sarmiento and discover Argentine history.
Casa Natal de Sarmiento preserves the childhood home of acclaimed Argentinian author, politician, diplomat, and journalist Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, renowned for his work as an international public figure. The home is an Argentinian National Historical Monument, the country's first national monument, and has been open to the public as a living history museum since 1911. A wide variety of artifacts related to Sarmiento's life and career are on display within the house, including newspaper clippings related to his civic career and manuscripts and first issues of the books he authored. A public library is operated by the monument, dedicated to the history of Sarmiento and the San Juan region. A number of cultural activities are also presented periodically at the monument, including workshops and interpretive performances.
Sarmiento Sur 21, J5400 San Juan, Argentina, Phone: +54-26-44-22-46-03
2. El Leoncito National Park
Hike scenic trails and admire stunning Andean landscapes.
El Leoncito National Park is a 346-square-mile protected federal park within Argentina's San Juan province that was established in 2002 to protect significant ecosystems within the Central Andean Puna and Southern Andean steppe region. The park is located along the Sierra del Tontal's western slopes within the Calingasta Department, approximately 21 miles from the city of Barreal. Due to its isolated location away from disruptive atmospheric pollution, it is home to two astronomical observatories, the Félix Aguilar Observatory and the Leoncito Astronomical Complex. A number of visitor hiking trails are also offered, traversing to several local waterfalls and streams. Park visitors should note that few public facilities are offered within the park due to its lack of modern development, though free campsites are offered at several locations, offering restrooms, showers, grills, picnic tables, and stoves.
s/n, (5405), Av. Pres. Roca, Barreal, San Juan, Argentina, Phone: +54-26-48-44-12-40
3. Leoncito Astronomical Complex
Gaze at the stars and explore advanced astronomical observatories.
Leoncito Astronomical Complex is the second of two astronomical observatories located within El Leoncito National Park in Argentina's San Juan Province. The observatory was originally established in 1983 by Argentina's National Scientific and Technical Research Council in conjunction with the country's Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation and the National Universities of San Juan, La Plata, and Córdoba. Since 1987, it has offered public and private observatory facilities located within two separate regions of the national park. Jorge Sahade and Submillimeter telescopes are available for use near the Pampa de la Ciénaga del Medio, while Helen Sawyer Hogg and Ghielimetti telescopes are available for use on Cerro Burek, along with an Astrograph for the Southern Hemisphere.
Ingreso A Casleo - Pnel, San Juan, Argentina, Phone: +54-26-44-21-36-53
4. Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes Franklin Rawson
Admire diverse art collections and explore local artistic heritage.
Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes Franklin Rawson is San Juan's primary fine arts museum, known throughout the country of Argentina for its high-quality collections and exhibits. The museum's collections were begun in the 1850s by Benjamín Franklin Rawson, Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, and Procesa Sarmiento and were incorporated into a museum collection in 1936. In 2011, the museum was transferred to a new permanent facility within the former Provincial Casino building. It showcases a permanent collection of more than 900 works of international art, including paintings, sculptures, engravings, and photography. An exhibit room also showcases the works of local Argentinian artists, with temporary and traveling exhibitions hosted periodically on a variety of regional art topics.
Av. Libertador Gral. San Martín 902, San Juan, Argentina, Phone: +54-26-44-20-05-98
5. San Guillermo National Park
Discover unique wildlife and enjoy breathtaking mountain views.
San Guillermo National Park is an Argentinian national park that was originally established in 1999 as part of the San Guillermo Biosphere Reserve. The 166,000-hectare park was originally preserved as a provincial reserve in 1972 to protect native vicuña habitats and is home today to the nation's largest concentration of wild camelidos. Elevations throughout the park range between 2,100 and 6,380 meters, comprised of puna grassland and mountain summit ecosystems. As one of the few protected sites within the country that maintains significant populations of native wildlife, the park is overseen by international management in correlation with the United Nations' El Hombre ya la Bioesfera Project.
Rodeo, San Juan Province, Argentina
6. Santiago Graffigna Wine Museum
Learn about winemaking history and savor exquisite local wines.
Santiago Graffigna Wine Museum is a museum showcasing San Juan's finest wines, preserving the historic Bodega Graffigna winery, which was established in 1870 and is the province's best-known winery today. Though it was severely damaged in a 1944 earthquake, the winery has been restored to its historic appearance, housed within a reconstructed brick building. Red and white wines are produced at the facility, overseen by French corporation Pernod Ricard. The museum showcases the history of Argentina's winemaking industry, including the region's connection with the Italian winemaking industry. Following hour-long guided tours, participants sample red and white wines at the facility's wine bar, including some of the country's top wine labels and varietals.
Cristóbal Colón Norte 1342, J5400 San Juan, Argentina, Phone: +54-26-44-21-42-27
Best Time to Visit
Places to Stay
Tips for Visiting
Spring (September-November) – Pleasant temperatures and blooming vineyards.
Del Bono Park Hotel Spa & Casino – A luxury stay with a spa and entertainment options.
Visit Ischigualasto Provincial Park (Valley of the Moon) – Explore unique rock formations and fossils.
Summer (December-February) – Hot and dry, great for outdoor adventures.
Hotel Alkazar – A comfortable and well-located option in the city center.
Go rafting on the San Juan River – Enjoy an adrenaline-filled experience in the Andes.
Fall (March-May) – Cooler temperatures and grape harvest season.
Viñas del Sol – A charming hotel surrounded by vineyards.
Tour the wine route – Taste Malbec and Syrah wines at local bodegas.
Winter (June-August) – Cool and ideal for stargazing and mountain trips.
Del Bono Suites Art Hotel – A stylish stay with cultural charm.
Visit the El Leoncito National Park – Enjoy some of the clearest skies in Argentina for astronomy.
Plan Your Trip
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