San Miguel De Tucumán | 8 Best Things To Do
This is your ultimate guide for what to do in San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina, from what to visit, where to eat, and where to stay.
San Miguel de Tucumán is the capital city of the Tucumán province, Argentina’s smallest province. Tucuman’s cute little nickname is called the “Garden of the Republic,” due to its richness of vegetation as well as culture.
Truthfully there are not many things to do in San Miguel de Tucumán. Even though it’s the 5th largest city in Argentina (after Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Rosario, and Mendoza), the center of town feels much more relaxed than other big cities. It’s a great place to start out your Tucumán road trip or a base for seeing other places in the area.
I spent a few days in San Miguel de Tucuman in November 2024. I did a Tucuman road trip with a friend of mine, so we started and ended our trip with a few days in the capital city on each end. In this post, I’ll explain the things to do in San Miguel de Tucuman, as well as the best places to eat, and where to stay.
Short on time? Quick Notes for San Miguel de Tucumán
Where to stay: Hotel Bicentenario Suites & Spa
Best Tour from San Miguel de Tucumán: Yungas Half-Day tour from San Miguel
Restaurant to Try: El Portal
Top thing to do: Walk around to see the historical buildings
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Where is San Miguel de Tucumán located?
San Miguel de Tucumán is the capital city of the province of Tucumán in Argentina, South America. This is the smallest province in the country and is located in the northwest, just south of the Salta Province. It may be the smallest province, but it has a lot to offer. This capital city, however, offers little to a tourist in the way of nature or excitement.
Map of area
What to do in San Miguel de Tucumán
There is a reason San Miguel de Tucumán is not a popular tourist destination. It does not have the unending activities of Buenos Aires, the modern buildings of Cordoba, or the clean streets and peaceful nature of Mendoza.
In San Miguel de Tucuman, the traffic is bad, the city feels contested, old, and somewhat crumbling. Several of the old buildings in the center of town are beautiful and historical but could use a little love. Because there is not a lot of tourism, there are also not a ton of things to do.
I don’t recommend coming to San Miguel de Tucuman as a destination, but rather as a jumping-off point for visiting the rest of the province. There are so many things to do in Tucuman Province. So if you do find yourself in this capital city, I offer a few suggestions for things to do in San Miguel de Tucuman.
Places to See in San Miguel de Tucumán
1. Parque 9 de Julio
This is the biggest park in San Miguel de Tucuman. Inside the park, you can find walking trails, a small rose garden, and some fields for local sports teams. There are also a few restaurants and cafes inside the park where you can stop for a refreshment.
2. Plaza Independencia
The Plaza Independencia is the heart of San Miguel de Tucumán. Surrounding the plaza you can find several restaurants, as well as the Casa de Gobierno (Government House), Convento San Francisco, and the Teatro Mercedes Sosa. The plaza is kept very clean. It’s a great place for a stroll, or to sit and people watch.
3. Paseo de la Independencia
Paseo de la Independencia is the downtown walking street that most Argentine cities have. It is lined with shops, restaurants, and streetside cafes. You can find it on the south side of Plaza Independencia. It starts next to the cathedral.
4. Casa Histórica- Museo Nacional de la Independencia
This is a free museum just a few blocks away from the Plaza Independencia, along the walking street. It tells the history of Argentina’s independence and how it relates to the area. It’s open every day but closes during siesta hours M-F.
5. Museo Casa Padilla
The Casa Padilla Museum is on the west side of the Independence Plaza, next to the Governmental House. The museum is inside a 19th-century home and showcases paintings, old portraits, and other artifacts from an earlier time. It is fully of the history of San Miguel de Tucuman Argentina.
6. Museo de la Industria Azucarera
This is a small museum inside the 9 de Julio Park. This museum tells the history of the sugar industry and how it relates to the people’s struggle in San Miguel de Tucuman, as well as the machines used in production. It is open every day but Monday and closes during siesta hours during the week.
7. Religious buildings: San Francisco Convent & Nuestra Señora Cathedral
These two buildings sit on opposite ends of the Plaza Independencia. Even if you don’t go inside, the outside is very impressive. Both locations are free to enter and are open every day.
8. Percy Hill Park
Percy Hill Park is a beautiful botanical garden in the fancier Yerba neighborhood. It is a large, green, lush park full of walking trails and pretty plants. The park is well-maintained and free to enter. It’s a great way to get the feel of the rainforest nearby without fully entering it. It is the only piece of ‘yungas‘ that remains in the capital city from the original forest that once covered the area.
Where to Eat in San Miguel de Tucumán
Each area has a number of restaurants to try. Here are the ones I recommend:
Bar America
This is a classic bar/restaurant in Argentina, reminiscent of the Bares Notables in Buenos Aires. There is outdoor seating, and a large menu full of typical Argentine dishes.
Baltazar
If you’re not in the mood for typical Argentine food, this restaurant is a good alternative. They have a full sushi menu and great cocktails.
El Portal
This is a typical family-owned Tucuman restaurant that has been here for several generations. You can get typical food from the region such as Tucuman tamales, humita, locro, and empanadas.
Best Time To Visit San Miguel de Tucumán
So what’s the weather like in Tucuman? I visited San Miguel de Tucuman in November 2024, and it rained nearly every day I was there, in addition to the incredible humidity. Because all of the surrounding area is so green, it is obvious that the rainy season occurs during the Argentina summer months (December – February).
The dry season occurs in the winter (July – August) when it barely rains at all. Average temperatures in the winter range from 8C (46F)- 20C (70F), so it never gets too cold, nor will it snow.
How to Get to San Miguel de Tucumán
Bus
The bus station in San Miguel de Tucuman is large, but the signage is very good. There are several bus companies that go around the Tucuman province, as well as long-distance buses that go further out. I took an overnight bus from here to Cordoba.
You can check bus schedules on BusBud and UniBus if you want to purchase in advance.
Plane
I ended up in San Miguel de Tucuman sort of by accident. I was looking for the cheapest flight from Iguazu Falls and it was to the Aeropuerto Internacional Teniente Benjamin Matienzo in Tucuman. Three airlines serve this airport: Flybondi, Jetsmart, and Aerolineas Argentinas.
If you fly here, you should be aware that because it is not a super popular destination, there is a higher chance your flight in or out of town will be delayed or canceled. My friend missed Thanksgiving because Flybondi kept delaying and canceling the flight because it wasn’t full enough. He couldn’t get back to BA in time to catch his next flight.
Getting from the Tucuman airport to the city center
Taxi/Uber/Didi
There are several taxis waiting outside of the airport. Both Didi and Uber work here too, which makes things much easier. We took a Didi from the airport to the town center and we only had to wait about 10 minutes.
Rental Car
There are several rental car companies that operate out of the Tucuman airport. If you plan to take a road trip around the Tucuman province, I highly suggest renting a car. I have had positive experiences renting cars from both Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com.
From the Rentalcars.com platform, we got matched with Fit Rental Company, and they were great. They have a location in both the airport and the Sheraton Hotel in town, and they allowed us to select our pick-up and drop-off point.
Airport Shuttle
If you’re a solo traveler, this might be your best option. It’s super easy to organize. Just go directly to the counter and share the address of where you’re going. They have several drop-off points and they will let you know the closest point to where you’re going.
The price was 6,000 pesos per person in November 2024. However, the prices decrease the more people you have in your group.
Getting Around San Miguel de Tucumán
Walk
You can easily walk around the main center, near Plaza Independencia, by foot. Everything is very close. If you stay in a neighborhood further out, you may want to find alternatives to walking unless you want to get those steps.
I stayed in the Barrio Norte neighborhood in San Miguel de Tucuman, and I really liked it. It was easy to walk around that neighborhood. But if I wanted to get more central, like to the Plaza Independencia, the bus terminal, or most of the tourist attractions, I needed to take a taxi.
Taxi
If you don’t want to walk, then a taxi is your best bet. There are city taxis passing by, but the best option is to use a ridesharing app like Didi or Uber. They are more affordable and easier to find rides. You may need to wait up to 10 minutes, so give yourself a little extra time if you’re going to the airport or bus station.
Organized Tours around the Tucumán Province
If you want to see the rest of the province, but don’t want to rent a car, here are a few great options to see the rain forest, small towns (like Tafi del Valle and Amaicha del Valle), and cultural and historical attractions such as the Quilmes Ruins. These activities make for nice day trips from San Miguel de Tucuman, with a guide.
Day Trips from San Miguel de Tucumán
There are a lot of great day trips or weekend trips from San Miguel de Tucuman. You have great riverfront spots just 30 minutes away, waterfall trails an hour up into the mountains, and small villages and ancient ruins just a few hours away.
- Tafi del Valle
- Museo Pachamama, Amaicha del Valle
- Celestino Gelsi Dam (El Cadillal) & Aguas Chiquitas
- Parque Sierra de San Javier (Nature Reserve)
- Villa Nougues
- Aconquija National Park
- Quilmes Ruins
Travel Insurance for Traveling in Argentina
It is definitely a good idea to get travel insurance when you go to Argentina. You never know what could happen. For my physical health, I use SafetyWing.
I use SafetyWing, which is great travel medical insurance created by nomads for nomads. You can sign up for as many days as you need, and cancel whenever you want. They have particularly good prices, especially for those under 40 years old. Check them out here.
What to Do in San Miguel de Tucumán Tucumán FAQs
Have any remaining questions about San Miguel de Tucuman?
How many days should I stay in San Miguel de Tucumán?
You really don’t need a lot of time here. You can easily see the main tourist attractions in San Miguel de Tucuman in 1-2 days. The most impressive part of Tucuman is what you’ll find outside of the capital city, in the rest of the province.
I suggest using San Miguel de Tucuman as a jumping-off point to see the rest of the province. Rent a car and take that Tucuman province road trip, which I promise will be amazing!
Where do tourists stay in San Miguel de Tucumán?
The 3 most popular neighborhoods to stay in San Miguel de Tucuman are Yerba Buena, centro, and Barrio Norte.
Is San Miguel de Tucumán walkable?
Each neighborhood is walkable, but it might take up to 35 minutes to walk to different areas of the city. For example, it is a 30-minute walk from Plaza Urquiza in Barrio Norte to reach the 9 de Julio Park.
Is San Miguel de Tucumán worth visiting?
San Miguel de Tucuman, the capital city of the Tucumán province, honestly doesn’t have much to offer. It’s not worth visiting as a destination in itself, but the rest of the Tucumán province is worth visiting.
What is San Miguel de Tucumán famous for?
San Miguel de Tucuman is the 5th largest city in Argentina. This province is known for its regional food such as the Tucuman tamales. However, they tend to be drier than in other provinces. I think Salta has the best tamales.
Where to Stay in San Miguel de Tucumán
The city of San Miguel de Tucuman has a few main areas where people stay. The Yerba Buena neighborhood is more upscale, the city center is close to the attractions, and Barrio Norte has a ton of great gastronomic options. Because San Miguel de Tucuman is not a huge tourist destination, accommodation tends to be more affordable.
Hotel Bicentenario Suites & Spa
This nice hotel is right downtown, sharing a corner with Plaza Independencia. Breakfast is included and there is an enclosed swimming pool. Rooms are clean and modern.
BOOK NOW to stay right downtown in San Miguel de Tucuman
Casa Lola Hotel Boutique
This boutique hotel is in the Yerba Buena neighborhood of San Miguel de Tucuman. The hotel is stylish, includes breakfast, and has a swimming pool.
Stay in this boutique hotel in Yerba Buena, BOOK NOW
Torre Laprida
This is a private apartment in a modern apartment building in Barrio Norte, easily within walking distance to Plaza Urquiza and the restaurants and cafes in the area.
BOOK NOW to stay in this private apartment in Barrio Norte
Final Thoughts on What to Do in San Miguel de Tucumán
San Miguel de Tucuman is a great place to stay for a few days and adjust to the province. There isn’t a whole lot to do, but you can easily occupy yourself for 1-2 days in this capital city.
I urge you to get out of the capital city and see what else the Tucuman province has to offer a traveler. It’s beautiful and has incredible landscapes- cloud forests to high deserts. You won’t be disappointed.
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