Eight Argentine Villages Nominated Among the World's Best Rural Tourism Destinations

Villa Sanagasta, La Rioja

Land of dinosaurs, vineyards, and nature

Located 30 kilometers from the provincial capital, its geological park houses one of the most important sites in the world featuring fossilized dinosaur nests and eggs. It is part of the Ruta de los Dinosaurios, which integrates paleontological sites of international relevance and connects Sanagasta with the Parque Nacional Talampaya.

In addition:

• Ruta del Vino: Guided tours with tastings that highlight the winemaking tradition of the Valle de la Costa.
• Parque Temático Cueva de las Brujas: A complex of caverns associated with local stories, beliefs, and legends, such as La Salamanca and El Mikilo.
• Dique de Los Sauces: A recreational area offering nature tourism activities.

Mar de las Pampas, Buenos Aires

Forest, beach, and tranquility

Situated in the municipality of Villa Gesell, 382 kilometers from the City of Buenos Aires. It keeps its sand dune chain intact along nearly 2 kilometers of coastline, preserving the coastal dune ecosystem in its natural state. It promotes the concept of "Vivir sin prisa" (Slow Living), encouraging the respectful enjoyment of the environment and outdoor activities.

In addition:

• Located 5 kilometers from the Reserva Natural Faro Querandí.
• Mar de las Pampas en Concierto: Symphonic and choral shows held in parts of the forest and other locations.
• Paseo “Aldea Hippie”: A market area that prioritizes the sale of artisanal products, provides environmental care workshops, and creates outdoor recreational spaces.

Cachi, Salta

History, cardones, and Calchaquí authenticity

An Andean village located 160 kilometers from the provincial capital and 2,230 meters above sea level in the Valles Calchaquíes. It is surrounded by the Nevado de Cachi, the Parque Nacional Los Cardones, and sections of the Qhapaq Ñan. It preserves a high level of authenticity in its historical center and the agricultural practices of the Diaguita-Calchaquí culture.

In addition:

• It offers diverse tourism experiences, including rural tourism, interpretive trekking, astrotourism, and high-altitude wine tourism.
• Its most iconic identity products are corn, valley cuisine, and pimentón del Valle Calchaquí (with designation of origin).
• Ruta del Vino de Altura: The highest wine route in the world.

El Trapiche, San Luis

Nature and Puntana freshness

Located 39 kilometers from the provincial capital, its foundation (more than two centuries ago) is linked to a gold-mining hydraulic mill. Its "Cocina de raíz" initiative values gastronomic and cultural identity through the use of clay ovens, rescuing traditional cooking techniques of the Huarpes.

In addition:

• Pre-Hispanic archaeological heritage nearby, such as the ancient mortars of the río Trapiche.
• Reserva Floro Faunística de La Florida: Featuring interpretive trails for wildlife and plant watching native to the San Luis mount (monte puntano).
• Paraje Siete Cajones: Seven deep natural pools formed in the river.

Puerto Pirámides, Chubut

Natural whale sanctuary and steppe landscape

A small coastal town located less than a hundred kilometers from Puerto Madryn and situated within the Área Natural Protegida Península Valdés, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is world-renowned for Southern Right Whale (ballena franca austral) watching, a species that arrives every year to mate and raise its calves in the waters of the Golfo Nuevo.

In addition:

• It harbors a rich biodiversity where sea lions, elephant seals, orcas, dolphins, birds, and terrestrial fauna coexist in their natural habitat.
• It offers responsible tourism activities in direct contact with the environment, such as kayaking, trekking, and mountain biking.
• Diving experiences, snorkeling with sea lions, and environmental interpretation activities.

Villa General Belgrano, Córdoba

Sierras, forests, and Central European culture

Situated about 90 kilometers from the provincial capital, its architecture replicates the Central European style, featuring constructions where wood and stone stand out. For decades, its Fiesta Nacional de la Cerveza has gathered locals and visitors every October. Its Ruta de la Cerveza Artesanal is part of the Red de Turismo Gastronómico de Córdoba.

In addition:

• Fiesta Nacional de la Masa Vienesa: A festival during Holy Week that protects the craftsmanship of master pastry chefs and ancestral recipes.
• Fiesta Nacional del Chocolate Alpino: An event that reinforces the village identity during the winter season.
• Dorf Tour: Featuring a themed tram designed to operate as a traveling museum that visits the milestones of Central European architecture.

Tafí del Valle, Tucumán

Green oasis among hills

Nestled in the Valles Calchaquíes, about 100 kilometers from the provincial capital, its geography combines yungas, imposing hills, arid valleys, centuries-old cardonales, rivers, waterfalls, and the dique La Angostura. It features ancient archaeological sites, Jesuit estancias, and indigenous communities preserving their Diaguita culture.

In addition:

• Cheese-making farms (tambos queseros) with century-old recipes and high-altitude gastronomy based on local production.
• Museo Jesuítico la Banda: Located in the estancia built by the Jesuits at the beginning of the 18th century.
• Menhires del Valle de Tafí: Large stone monoliths carved by the inhabitants of the valley more than 2,000 years ago, linked to fertility rituals, territoriality, or the worship of natural deities.

Zenón Pereyra, Santa Fe

Masonic legacy, motorsports, and tradition

Located 130 kilometers from the provincial capital, its urban layout shelters Masonic symbology due to the influence of its founder, the cattle rancher Zenón Pereyra. It is surrounded by an important agricultural and livestock production area of high relevance for the province. Its open-air heritage circuit consists of around twenty historic buildings.

In addition:

• Museo Bucci (featuring an outstanding motorsport collection), Casa Viva space, Biblioteca Popular, and the Sociedad Italiana.
• Identity celebrations reflecting the immigrant heritage, most notably the Fiesta Provincial de las 300 Millas de Santa Fe.
• Fiesta de la Fonda Italiana y del Ajenjo.

Argentine Villages Recognized in Previous Editions

• Caspalá, Jujuy (2021)
• La Carolina, San Luis (2023)
• Gaiman, Chubut (2024)
• Caviahue-Copahue, Neuquén (2024)
• Trevelin, Chubut (2024)
• Villa Tulumba, Córdoba (2024)
• Maimará, Jujuy (2025)
• Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, Corrientes (2025)

Campo Ramón (Misiones) and San Javier y Yacanto (Córdoba) were selected to participate, in 2024 and 2025, in the Upgrade initiative, a specialized mentorship program.