10 Things To Do In San Juan, Argentina That Will Spike Your Wanderlust

Genieve
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 4 min read
things to do in san juan argentina

A rich culture, a complex natural landscape, a strong religious belief, a long winded history, a flourished arts culture and significant archaeological treasures, these are what make San Juan Argentina such an astounding place to discover. So build your stamina, recharge yourself and empty your mind to enjoy an unusual San Juan experience. Here are 10 things you will definitely love:

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1. Have a thrill seeking ride through Paso de Aguas Negras

Penitentes
Source: Photo by user Daniel P. Gauer used under CC BY 2.0

For those extreme drivers, Paso de Aguas Negras is a great place to challenge your driving skills. Paso de Agua Negra is an international high mountain pass over the Andes Mountain located at the border between Argentina and Chile. It is 4,780 meters (15,682 feet) above sea level. You have to be a very skilled driver with much stamina in a vigorous vehicle to go through the twist and turn of the complex terrains. Although difficult, it will be fruitful the moment you see the incredible landscapes, cliffs, penitents, glaciers and native fauna.

Paso de Aguas Negras

Address: San José de Jáchal, Provincia de San Juan, Argentina

Website: Paso de Aguas Negras (in Spanish)

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2. Pray from your heart at Catedral de San Juan

Besides being the most magnificent religious building in Puerto Rico and oldest church in U.S, Catedral de San Juan was also the first stop of every traveler and sailor after they reached the island to show their gratitude towards God for a safe journey. This sacred and solemn place had existed since 1540. Over the years it had been through both natural and man-made disasters, from hurricanes to robberies. Through thick and thin, it still stands strong as a Gothic-inspired building for all the worshipers today.

Catedral de San Juan

Address: 151 Calle del Cristo, 00902 San Juan, Puerto Rico

Website: Catedral de San Juan

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3. Get an art-ucation at Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes Franklin Rawson

MUSEO BELLAS ARTES SJ
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Gonce used under CC BY-SA 3.0
Posted by Arturo Aguiar on Friday, 31 July 2015

Franklin Rawson Provincial Museum of Fine Arts assembles, preserves, spreads and exhibits the most significant collection of Argentinean art in Argentina which is created by Argentine and foreign artists. The museum serves as a cultural center to promote artistic activities of Sanjuanino artists and convey the value of their artwork, such as paintings, sculptures, engravings, and drawings. It connects and engages the community through workshops, activities, guides, and shows while educating them about arts.

Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes Franklin Rawson

Address: Av. Libertador Gral. San Martin 902, San Juan, Argentina

Website: Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes Franklin Rawson (in Spanish)

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4. Enjoy an art performance at Teatro del Bicentenario

Teatro Colón
Source: Photo by Flickr user Jorge Gobbi used under CC BY 2.0

Better to book in advance in case you miss out a wonderful performance at Teatro del Bicentenario. This theatre presents different kinds of performance ranging from musical to ballets to dances to plays. First rate acoustics, a grand atmosphere, and the modern interior design combines with the high technology. All of these make for your one of a kind, world class theater experience at Teatro del Bicentenario. Along with the beautiful fountain​ and old train station nearby, the whole place is completely picturesque.

Teatro del Bicentenario

Address: Las Heras Sur 430, J5402FNR San Juan, Argentina

Website: Teatro del Bicentenario

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5. Be moved by Casa Natal de Sarmiento

Be inspired by Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, the seventh president of Argentina, through his works that reflect his life and his influence in Argentina. This museum was the home of the president and later transformed into a museum. It showcases collections of books and document, popular arts and crafts, visual arts and more and exhibitions of his home environment like his living room, kitchen, library room, government room and so on.

Casa Natal de Sarmiento

Address: Sarmiento Sur 21, J5400 San Juan, Argentina

Website: Casa Natal de Sarmiento (in Spanish)

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6. Interact with fossils of dinasaurs at Museo de Ciencias Naturales

Museo de Ciencias Naturales: Ciudad de La Plata
Source: Photo by user Dario Rodriguez used under CC BY-SA 2.0

¿Sabías que? Mientras los técnicos del museo limpian los fósiles, los paleontólogos comienzan la investigación para...

Posted by Museo de Ciencias Naturales on Tuesday, 27 June 2017

This archaeological​ museum brings you back to the era of dinosaurs. It displays fossils that are found in the Provincial Park Ischigualasto and also different types of minerals and rocks. That means you will find all types of dinosaurs skeletons that will leave your kids’ jaws hanging. Besides dinosaurs, you will also find specimens of crocodiles, protodinosaurios, mammals and more. All the exhibitions are accompanied by descriptions and signage filled with knowledge.

Museo de Ciencias Naturales

Address: 5400, Av. España Norte 400, J5400DNQ San Juan, Argentina

Website: Museo de Ciencias Naturales (in Spanish)

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7. Experience an earthquake at Museo de la Memoria Urbana o del Terremoto

museo

Posted by museo de la memoria urbana on Tuesday, 27 October 2009

Want to know what it’s like before, during and after an earthquake? This Museum of Urban Memory gives you a thorough understanding of what the city of San Juan was like before and after the earthquake of 1944 through testimonials of the people, photographs, and models. You will see how San Juan changed in their architecture and social customs.

Museo de la Memoria Urbana o del Terremoto

Address: Mitre y Espana, 5400 San Juan, Argentina

Website: Museo de la Memoria Urbana o del Terremoto (in Spanish)

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8. Wine tasting at Museo del Vino Bodega Graffigna

Posted by Amigos del Vino San Juan on Friday, 23 December 2016

The story begins when an Italian immigrant, Santiago Graffigna, arrived in Argentina with a heart full of dreams, who turned his passion into quality premium Argentine wine and exceptional wine experience. In Santiago Graffigna Wine Museum, they will feed you with the history of the winery, tour you through rooms like the wine cellar, and treat your taste buds with wine tasting. The best thing is you get this unique experience at no cost and have the privilege to get wines at a very good price.

Museo del Vino Bodega Graffigna

Address: Colón 1342 norte, Desamparados, San Juan, Argentina

Website: Museo del Vino Bodega Graffigna

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9. Discover a mystery within Oratorio de la Difunta Correa

Cientos de botellas con agua son dejadas diariamente en los santuarios dedicados a la Difunta Correa que se encuentran...

Posted by Difunta Correa on Monday, 15 July 2013

LEYENDAS - LA DIFUNTA CORREA En el transcurso del año 1835, un criollo de apellido Bustos fue reclutado en una leva...

Posted by Miradas on Thursday, 27 October 2011

If you are a sucker for mystery, this might be your favorite stop. The mystery of this town is something like that: It is believed that a woman had died making her way across the desert attempt to reach her deployed husband with her baby in her hand. Eventually, the baby survived but the mother died with the baby breast feeding on her dead body. She was declared a saint.

At the entrance of the oratory, you will see believers with mock up houses, cars, and motorcycles hoping that the corpse will help them buy one. You will also find interesting shrines in this town. Some may find it touching or inspiring but some will find it superstitious. But what’s the harm of discovering and understanding this odd but interesting little cultural gem?

Oratorio de la Difunta Correa

Address: Km. 180, Ruta Nacional 141 | Departamento de Caucete, J5443 San Juan, Argentina

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10. Learn about the planet at Ischigualasto Provincial Park

El Submarino
Source: Photo by user AHLN used under CC BY 2.0

Ischigualasto Provincial Park was once a lake full of life where vegetation, plants, and animals depend on it to survive. Today, this prosperous piece of land has become a desert with little rain, high temperatures, and strong wind. What remains are the rocks from the Triassic era (240 to 195 million years ago), when dinosaurs started to exist. Even after so many years, you can’t beat the power of nature. Fossils of vertebrates and flora are disclosed by clay erosion.

Ischigualasto Provincial Park

Address: Ruta 510 s/nº, 5449 San Agustin de Valle Fertil, San Juan, Argentina

Website: Ischigualasto Provincial Park (in Spanish)

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An irreplaceable trip

By the end of your trip, you will find yourself enriched with a diverse knowledge of archaeology, arts, history, wine tasting and a vast experience that you will only get in San Juan, Argentina. So, it’s time to respond to your travel calling with an irreplaceable trip to San Juan, Argentina.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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