Last November, the travel platform Booking presented its travel predictions for 2025 in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. We were there and were intrigued that the first prediction was the rise of nocturnal tourism (and no, they weren't referring to clubbing).
According to the report, “63% of Argentinians are considering visiting destinations with darker skies to do astrotourism,” meaning to observe the stars.
The beautiful town of San Pedro is near the Atacama Desert, the best place on Earth to stargaze due to the absence of humidity in the atmosphere. It’s no coincidence that nearby is ALMA, the world’s largest telescope, built in collaboration by the United States, Europe, Japan, and Chile.
On October 2, 2024, Argentine astrotourism lovers had a significant event: the annular solar eclipse, which could only be fully observed in the northern part of Santa Cruz province. We covered the whole event.
This year, we won’t have a major event like that in Argentina, although we will have the total lunar eclipse on March 14. But for those who want to do something different on their vacation and are looking for a stellar experience, we found out the best places in Argentina for astrotourism.
Where is astrotourism practiced?
Mariano Ribas, the coordinator of the Scientific Dissemination Area at the Galileo Galilei Planetarium, told us, “The first guideline is to look for dark places that don’t have light pollution, preferably 200 kilometers away from any city.” The other condition the expert mentions is that the place must have comfortable conditions for lodging or camping.
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Ribas points out that the most important local event in 2025 will be a lunar eclipse on March 14. "The advantage is that it will be visible throughout the country, across the entire American continent. It’s a phenomenon that can be observed in the city, although it’s better with a dark sky,” he clarifies.
Capilla del Monte is known for its clear skies and mysticism, making it an ideal place for astrotourism. The municipality has opened the Natural Star Observatory in the Villa Cielo Natural Reserve, where visitors can enjoy astronomical observation experiences in a privileged natural setting.
Barreal, located in the Calingasta department, is known for its clear skies and low light pollution. It is a highlight on San Juan’s "Sky Route," offering visitors the opportunity to uncover the secrets of the universe in an optimal setting for astronomical observation.
Villa de Merlo is famous for its microclimate and clear skies, making it perfect for astrotourism. The Merlo Planetarium Foundation offers visitors the chance to contemplate the vastness of the Merlo sky, accompanied by educational and recreational activities related to astronomy.
San Carlos de Bariloche, in addition to its lake and mountain landscapes, offers favorable conditions for astrotourism. A few kilometers from the city, in the Patagonian steppe, there is an astronomical observatory where visitors can witness the magic of the cosmos in all its splendor.
Although the Federal Capital presents challenges for astronomical observation due to light pollution, there are initiatives that bring astrotourism closer to residents and visitors.
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The Galileo Galilei Planetarium offers activities and events related to astronomy, providing educational and recreational opportunities in a city where astrotourists will have thousands of activities to do, besides stargazing.
This is the best place in the country to see the stars, according to Ribas, due to its low light pollution. It has hiking trails and a wide variety of places to stay and dine.
Tandil, known for its cheeses and cured meats, is another destination highlighted by Ribas. Visitors can take nocturnal walks and horseback rides guided by astronomy experts, in a city with well-developed tourist services.
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