The eight Argentine towns aiming to be among the best in the world by 2025

Eight Argentine destinations have the chance this year to be ranked among the best towns in the world .

These are towns that were selected by a jury convened by the Secretariat of Tourism, Environment and Sports of the Nation - where the official announcement of the nominees was just made - to participate in Best Tourism Villages , a global initiative led by UN Tourism that, each year, seeks to recognize those communities located in rural environments, with less than 15,000 inhabitants, that stand out for preserving and promoting their cultural and natural values ​​and their way of life .

The official presentation of the Argentine 2025 candidates was attended by Daniel Scioli, head of the Secretariat of Tourism, Environment, and Sport; Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UN Tourism; Gustavo Santos, Regional Director for the Americas of UN Tourism; Valentín Díaz Gilligan, President of the Federal Tourism Council; and Gustavo Hani, President of the Argentine Chamber of Tourism.

Unlike other tourism awards, Best Tourism Villages does not recognize the most popular destinations, those with stunning landscapes or the best tourism infrastructure, but rather those that, through tourism, promote the development of the activity, transmit their cultural and natural values , and preserve their way of life, among other aspects taken into account.

The final results of the competition will be announced in October , when UN Tourism announces the distinguished towns worldwide.

The towns chosen will join the list of others that have already received this recognition in previous years , such as Caspalá, in Jujuy, Trevelin, in Chubut, or La Carolina, in San Luis (see below).

The eight destinations selected to compete in the 2025 edition of Best Tourism Villages are:

With 1,120 inhabitants in the heart of the province, it is one of the main gateways to the Iberá Wetlands , which is why it has become one of the most representative destinations for nature tourism in Argentina.

The town's tourism development began to gain momentum with the creation of the Iberá Provincial Reserve, later transformed into a National Park. Since then, the growth of quality restaurants and hotels has accompanied the surge in visitors interested in ecotourism and environmental conservation.

Among the most notable activities available in Carlos Pellegrini are birdwatching and native wildlife such as capybaras, marsh deer, and alligators.

Located just over 300 kilometers from the city of Buenos Aires, Villa Elisa is an ideal destination for those seeking relaxation, nature, and a welcoming atmosphere .

With a population of 14,000, it combines the tranquility of a rural setting with quality services and keeps alive the legacy of immigrants, reflected in its work culture, its agricultural landscapes, its home-style cuisine, and, above all, the hospitality of its people.

Its main tourist attraction is the famous hot springs , a natural source of relaxation and health, which are complemented by an open-air offering in an orderly environment in harmony with nature.

This charming town of almost 3,000 inhabitants is located at the foot of Champaquí Hill - the highest point in the province - in the heart of the Traslasierra Valley .

Its privileged environment is characterized by a territory covered 80 percent by native forest , which not only guarantees clean air and exceptional views, but also a commitment to environmental preservation .

The place offers a tourist experience focused on well-being and direct contact with nature , with activities such as trekking, wine tourism, ecotourism, and rural tourism that are part of a diverse offering, ideal for those looking to relax, reconnect, and explore the mountain landscape.

Just under 80 kilometers from San Salvador de Jujuy, Maimará stands as a cultural and scenic jewel of the Humahuaca Gorge , declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as a “cultural landscape.”

With a population of about 3,500, this town combines the strength of ancestral traditions with imposing nature crowned by the Painter's Palette , a spectacular multi-colored mountain formation crossed by the Rio Grande.

This landscape, which looks like a natural work of art, frames the valleys where fruits, vegetables, flowers and vineyards are grown, giving rise to renowned high-altitude wines .

It is also a land of deep cultural roots , which are expressed above all in traditional festivals such as the celebration of Pachamama and Carnival.

Less than 200 people live in this picturesque town located in the spectacular Calchaquí Valleys , on the banks of the Calchaquí River and a few meters from National Route 40. With about a thousand more inhabitants in its surroundings and surrounded by peaks of the Andes foothills, in this corner of the Valleys, culture, history and nature intertwine to offer an authentic and deeply Salta experience.

Declared a National Historic Site , Seclantás preserves in its streets, churches and colonial buildings a valuable heritage that invites you to travel back in time and discover the identity of northwestern Argentina.

Beyond its architectural wealth, the town is also recognized for a cultural legacy that transcends generations: it is known as the Cradle of the Salteño Poncho , and along its main street you can tour different workshops and looms, and watch artisans at work .

100 kilometers from Bahía Blanca and 12 from Sierra de la Ventana , in the Tornquist district, Saldungaray combines history, mountain landscapes and a valuable architectural legacy , as well as a winery that offers guided tours and tastings.

With a population of approximately 1,300, it is located in a valley in the Ventania mountain range. Its origins date back to the early 19th century, when a military fort was built on the site to protect the first landowners who were beginning to settle in the region. Today, a representation of this historical legacy can be visited.

One of the most distinctive aspects is its architectural heritage, especially the influence left by architect Francisco Salamone through the construction of several works in his renowned monumental style.

A town of 7,000 inhabitants located at the foot of the imposing Famatina Mountains, which dominates the landscape and gives the region its identity. Famatina contributes to this natural setting with a valuable historical, natural, and cultural heritage, notably the Inca Trail or Qhapaq Ñan , an ancient road network declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

In addition to its rich history and landscape, the town is renowned for its agricultural production , especially walnut, grape, olive, vegetable, and fruit crops. The area also invites visitors to enjoy outdoor activities, such as mountaineering and other adventure sports , which are ideally suited to the natural setting.

This town of 6,300 inhabitants is located in the Las Heras department, immersed in the majestic surroundings of the Andes mountain range.

Surrounded by imposing mountains and green oases , it not only offers an unforgettable landscape, but also holds a rich history marked by significant events throughout the centuries.

Thanks to its strategic location, it becomes the gateway to Mendoza's most emblematic tourist sites , such as Mount Aconcagua, the Penitentes ski resort, and the iconic Puente del Inca.

Furthermore, it occupies a key place in the history of the San Martin feat , since it was one of the fundamental steps in the Crossing of the Andes carried out by General San Martín and his liberating army.

Since the creation of the Best Tourism Villages initiative in 2021, Argentina has received six awards from UN Tourism.

In the first edition, the award went to Caspalá , in Jujuy; while in the second, in 2022, the distinction went to La Carolina, a small town with a mining history in the province of Jujuy.

More distinctions came in 2024, when our country added Trevelin and Gaiman (Chubut), Caviahue-Copahue (Neuquén), and Villa Tulumba (Córdoba) to the list, bringing the total number of Argentine towns recognized by UN Tourism for their commitment to a tourism model that values ​​communities to six.

With the new nominations, the country hopes to add more recognitions this year.