Los Sauces: Villa Margarita and rural character

In the district of Los Sauces, the urban area is in the Villa Margarita neighborhood; the rest of the district is rural and agricultural in character. If you are looking for a hotel in Los Sauces, this layout offers an initial point of reference for the character of the area.

Villa Margarita and the Los Sauces district

The urban area is concentrated in the 16-hectare Villa Margarita neighborhood. The rest of the district is rural and agricultural in character and covers approximately 4,150 hectares. This means a clearly defined urban area sits alongside an extensive rural part.

Two provincial highways cross the district in different directions. Provincial Route 90, also called Corredor Productivo, runs from north to south through Los Sauces. Provincial Route 93, also called Ezequiel Tabanera, crosses the district from west to east. These directions help you locate Los Sauces on a map.

The history of Villa Margarita dates back to the 1950s: the settlement was established on the grounds of what was then Finca Bascuñán. Juan Casales donated land for the settlement and named it Villa Margarita after his wife. Finca Ogawa is also one of the local landmarks. Built more than 80 years ago, it has now been fully restored in the traditional rural style.

Culture and history in the Department of Tunuyán

In the wider Department of Tunuyán, Parque Temático Sanmartiniano recounts General José de San Martín’s return to Argentina in 1823 through a biographical route about his life. The visitor area is open to the public free of charge. The park also runs the educational program “Viaje por la historia y naturaleza de los Chacayes,” which has been held in the department since 2019 and welcomes hundreds of children, teachers, mothers, and fathers each year.

In the department, Museo Arqueológico y de Ciencias Naturales focuses on the Indigenous past and native flora and fauna. Museo Municipal Retorno a la Patria has four themed rooms; guided and self-guided visits are available. It is distinct from Monumento Retorno a la Patria, which was declared a National Historic Monument on November 13, 2019, by Decree 769/2019.

Portillo de Piuquenes is also a regional point of reference: it lies between the departments of Tunuyán, Tupungato, and San Carlos and covers 314,600 hectares. The crossing of the Andes via Paso Portillo Piuquenes can be made on horseback or on foot. Alpine-style climbing takes place in Cajón de Arenales, and trekking is available at Cerro Punta Negra.

Wine, activities, and an event

In Los Sauces in the Department of Tunuyán, Bodega Enzo Bianchi offers a vineyard walk, a winery tour, and a wine tasting. Visits take place from Thursday to Monday and on public holidays, with a confirmed reservation made in advance. Check the details before your trip and note the reservation requirement.

Another regional event is the La Tonada National Festival. It takes place every February in Lombardia Park on the Tunuyán River and celebrates folk music, bringing together thousands of people. If you would like to include the festival in your travel plans, check the specific event dates.

Villa Margarita and the rural, agricultural part describe Los Sauces at the district level. The museums, outdoor activities, and events belong to the wider context of the Department of Tunuyán.

Discover more destinations: Colonia Las Rosas, Vista Flores, Estancia La Pampa

Go to the broader travel overview: Department of Tunuyán.