Caucete Department: Faith, History and Wine
Accommodation in Caucete Department
The Caucete Department combines religious sites and historical heritage with its own wine and food culture. The focus of your trip may determine your choice of accommodation: Would you like to explore pilgrimage sites and chapels, experience the landscapes or learn more about the wine tradition?
Getting to Caucete
From the city of San Juan, you can reach Caucete via National Route 20; the distance is 30 kilometers. The Vallecito bus company offers regular departures from the San Juan bus station and from the Caucete Department. Check the timetable before setting out so you can choose a suitable departure.
Religious Sites and History
Baño del Indio is a sacred site of the Huarpe people and a natural and cultural heritage site of the province. It can only be reached on foot; the route passes through colorful hills and a rocky gorge. The walk is therefore part of planning your visit.
The pilgrimage site of Difunta Correa is located in Vallecito in the Caucete Department, between the Sierra de Pie de Palo and the Médanos Grandes. Another religious tradition is San Expedito in Bermejo: it began after the image of the saint arrived there in the mid-1950s.
The architectural history of the churches and chapels also spans several decades. Capilla Santa Ana is the oldest chapel in Caucete; it was built in 1942 and survived the earthquakes of 1944 and 1977. Parroquia Cristo Rey was founded in 1878 and was the center of religious life in Caucete. It hosts the festivities for Cristo Rey and the Virgen del Valle.
In El Rincón, Capilla Virgen Niña remained intact despite the 1977 earthquake. Capilla de Guadalupe was built in 1994, after an image of the Virgen de Guadalupe arrived from Mexico. The Carmelo de María monastery was founded in 1981 by the Discalced Carmelite nuns in Villa Independencia and serves as a place of spiritual retreat.
The Museo Histórico Regional de Caucete reopened in the former Dr. César Aguilar Hospital. The building was declared Provincial Historical Heritage.
Wine, Regional Products and Tours
The history of the Fiesta de la Uva y el Vino is also part of Caucete’s cultural profile: the festival received national recognition in April 1991. The March 1992 edition was the first held under this status.
In Bermejo, the Mujeres Algarroberas process carob pods into flour. The flour is used mainly to make patay and sold to retailers under the Productores Bermejo brand. The department’s Ruta del Vino offers a different focus: the route, promoted by the Municipality of Caucete, includes vineyards and visits with tastings at the Viñas de Aguilar, Callia and Casa Montes wineries. The theme covers the entire wine production process. Check the conditions for individual visits in advance.
The “Caucete, camino de fe” program, presented in October 2024, included a short and a long route. The longer tour included the Asociación Mujeres Algarroberas de Bermejo; visitors could learn about the experiences of the local residents who welcomed them. If you plan to take this tour, check in advance whether it is being offered.
Discover more destinations: Los Papagayos, Santa Lucía, Iglesia Department, Albardón Department, Pocito, Calingasta Department, Valle Fértil Department, Jáchal Department
For the main travel overview: San Juan.
