Tunuyán Department: San Martín, Wine and the Andes

Tunuyán Department brings together several themes for planning a trip: the history of José de San Martín, museums, wine visits and activities in the Andes. You can choose your focus based on whether you are interested in cultural history, a winery tour with a tasting, or activities such as climbing and trekking.

San Martín and Museums

The Parque Temático Sanmartiniano presents the return of General José de San Martín to Argentina in 1823 through a biographical trail about San Martín. According to the official municipal attraction page, checked in September 2026, the visitor site is free to enter and is located at Manzano Histórico on Provincial Route 94. The year 1823 gives the trail a specific historical point of reference. On November 13, 2019, Monumento Retorno a la Patria was declared a National Historic Monument by Decree 769/2019.

The Museo Municipal Retorno a la Patria has four themed rooms and offers guided and self-guided visits. The Museo Arqueológico y de Ciencias Naturales has a different focus: it covers Indigenous history as well as native flora and fauna. Visitors can therefore choose between San Martín’s biography and topics in archaeology and natural history, depending on their interests for a cultural visit.

The educational program “Viaje por la historia y naturaleza de los Chacayes” is also based at Parque Temático Sanmartiniano. It has been run in Tunuyán Department since 2019 and welcomes hundreds of children, teachers, mothers and fathers each year. The program’s name brings together history and nature, so its themes may also interest travelers who want to explore both perspectives together.

Landscape and Activities in the Andes

Portillo de Piuquenes lies between the departments of Tunuyán, Tupungato and San Carlos and covers an area of 314,600 hectares. Its location and vast area provide a broad geographical setting alongside Tunuyán Department’s individual cultural and activity sites.

The Andes can be crossed via Paso Portillo Piuquenes on horseback or on foot. Alpine-style climbing is practiced in Cajón de Arenales, while Cerro Punta Negra is used for trekking. These activities differ clearly in form: crossing on horseback or on foot, alpine climbing and trekking. If you are looking for a specific outdoor focus, these three options offer different starting points for planning your trip.

Wine Visit and Folk Music Festival

Bodega Enzo Bianchi in Los Sauces offers a vineyard walk, a winery tour and a wine tasting. Visits are available from Thursday to Monday and on public holidays, with a confirmed advance reservation. As operating details may change, check your reservation and the current visiting conditions before you travel.

The La Tonada National Festival takes place every year in February at Lombardia Park on the Río Tunuyán. It celebrates folk music and brings together thousands of people. The festival adds a recurring event to the area’s historical, cultural and outdoor interests. February is the stated time of year, so check the specific event dates before your trip.

Mendoza in a Broader Context

The wider destination of Mendoza is home to Cerro Aconcagua. At 6,962 meters, it is the highest peak in the Americas. The province’s wine landscape can also be considered at a broader level: Mendoza is divided into five major wine regions—Primera Zona, Valle de Uco, Oasis Este, Oasis Centro-Norte and Oasis Sur. This regional context complements Tunuyán Department’s local cultural, wine and activity themes without attributing provincial features to specific places in the department.

Discover more destinations: Estancia La Pampa, Los Sauces, Vista Flores, Colonia Las Rosas; General Alvear, Lavalle Department, San Rafael Department, Malargüe Department.

Back to the main travel overview: Mendoza.