With its remarkable countryside and unassuming wine bodegas, San Juan Province is an interesting yet lesser-traveled destination in Argentina. Step away from the trodden path and explore a landscape of grand Andean peaks, verdant valleys, olive plantations and endless miles of grape vines. Sample fine wines and find respite from the searing summer heat at reservoirs. San Juan Province occupies the northernmost section of the Cuyo Region.
The provincial capital, San Juan, is the gateway to many of the province’s attractions. Experience the city’s slow pace at Plaza 25 de Mayo, Plaza España and Parque de Mayo. Visit the Casa Natal de Sarmiento, the birthplace of esteemed former Argentine president Domingo Faustino Sarmiento. Do as locals do and escape to the beaches of Ullúm Dam on sunny days.
Surrounding San Juan city is the Tulum Valley, which has an arid, temperate climate ideal for winemaking. Tour welcoming bodegas in the towns of La Rinconada, Pocito, Rawson and Santa Lucía. Syrah is the province’s prime grape and large quantities of the harvest are produced for the wineries of Mendoza Province.
Admire uninterrupted views of 22,047-feet (6,720-meter) tall Cerro Mercedario from Barreal, a serene oasis set on the banks of the Río de los Patos. Just an hour’s drive from here is El Leoncito National Park, where two observatories sit amid hills and offer views of mesmerizing skies. Go horseback riding, mountain biking and windsurfing at Cuesta del Viento dam and rafting on the Jachal River.
Be sure to visit Parque Provincial Ischigualasto (aka Valley of the Moon), located on the border of San Juan and La Rioja Province. Walk across ethereal landscapes that were formed in the Triassic Period. Take a scenic self-drive tour through the park’s southern section along Ruta Escenica 150. Cross the provincial border to see the rugged sandstone cliffs of Talampaya National Park.
Daily flights connect San Juan Province with Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile. The tourism infrastructure is less advanced than neighboring Mendoza so plan ahead and be patient with public transport.