In Ischigualasto, you will be walking on the same lands dinosaurs inhabited 180 million years ago. Given its extraordinary paleontological value, this provincial park was declared a World Heritage site. An almost full sequence of fossil remains from the Triassic Period of the Mesozoic Era was discovered in this area, including the world’s earliest dinosaur skeleton, dating back 230 million years.

The moon-like soil and the rare geological formations sculpted by the water, sun, and wind on the rocks for millions of years turn this landscape into an outer space site. In this park, you will appreciate the evolution of the Earth.

Within Ichigualasto Provincial Park, you can visit the Interpretative Centre of the National University of San Juan and the William Sill Site Museum featuring real fossils.

Excursions can be made in private vehicles, on a bike, or on foot through different circuits, always accompanied by authorized guides.

+ info: In the must-see  Ischigualasto Provincial Park or at https://www.ischigualasto.gob.ar/sp/el-parque/

This park features 100-metre high reddish walls, rare rock formations eroded by the wind, and a circuit through the Triassic Period showing 16 real-size dinosaur replicas of species found in the area in chronological order. The sight provides a self-guided trail.

The park has two accesses: Talampaya Canyon and Ciudad Perdida (Lost City). Both entrances offer services and are the starting points for guided tours in pickup trucks, on foot, and on bicycle.

+ info: In the must-see  Talampaya National Park or at https://www.argentina.gob.ar/parquesnacionales/talampaya 

This is a valley full of brick-coloured geological formations, where over 80 dinosaur nests and 30 fossilized eggs were discovered. 

You can walk between life-size replicas of dinosaurs from the Cretaceous Period. There are two geological and paleontological circuits to explore with or without a guide:  Valle Rojo circuit (2 km) and Nido de Libertad circuit (3 km), where you will be able to see an original clutch of dinosaur eggs and fossil excavations. 

When to visit

All year round. During summer, temperatures can be very high. The park is open on Fridays, weekends, and holidays (booking is required.)

How to get there

This geological park is 30 km from La Rioja capital city and 4 km from Sanagasta, following National Route 75.

+ info: 

https://www.facebook.com/Parque-de-Dinosaurios-Sanagasta-1406841946240283/ 

Discover an impressive desert landscape and fossil remains belonging to pterosaurs and dinosaurs, as well as archaeological discoveries from the Huarpe people.

The natural amphitheater Potrero de la Aguada is the main highlight in this park. It is surrounded by hills, cliffs, and offers various trails that will take you on a journey into the past. Some trails are self-guided, but others require an authorized guide in order to be explored.

+ info: In the must-see Sierra de las Quijadas National Park or at  

https://www.argentina.gob.ar/parquesnacionales/sierradelasquijadas 

This region boasts a large number of archaeological sites, museums, and exhibitions, making it the most important paleontological circuit in South America.

Villa El Chocón and Exequiel Ramos Mexía Reservoir

This area is known as the Dinosaurs Valley, due to the remains from the Cretaceous Period and petrified forests. 

El Chocón was the venue for one of the world’s largest paleontological discoveries: the remains of Gigantosaurus carolini, the largest carnivorous dinosaur in the world. Its skeleton is exhibited at Ernesto Bachmann Municipal Museum (in Villa El Chocón), where you can also spot the remains of the herbivorous dinosaur Amargasaurus and eggs with embryos of Neuquensaurus.

On the banks of Exequiel Ramos Mexía Reservoir, you can see dinosaur footprints, and in the different layers of the Escondido Canyon —80-metres deep—, you will discover fossilized plants and dinosaur footprints. 

In Plaza Huincul, located 85 km away (one-hour drive through national routes 237 and 22), the Carmen Funes Municipal Museum  displays the remains of Argentinosaurus huinculensis, considered the largest dinosaur in the world.

Los Barreales Reservoir

On the banks of this reservoir, in an area called Loma de la Lata, you will find the Proyecto Dino geo-paleontological park , where more than 100 fossils from the Cretaceous Period were discovered. Guided tours include a visit to the lab, the exhibition hall, and the excavation site.  

In San Patricio del Chañar (56 km away, driving Provincial Route 51), you can visit Familia Schroeder Winery, where fossilized dinosaur bones were unearthed. The winery offers guided tours that must be booked in advance.

Auca Mahuida Natural Protected Area

Located in northeast Neuquén, in the volcanic cone’s area where Auca Mahuida volcano stands out, this natural reserve holds a treasure: caverns featuring cave paintings, fossils, and remains of dinosaur nests and eggs.  You can go trekking, practice hiking, or observe the local flora and fauna.

There are two paved accesses on National Route 5 and Provincial Route 6. Once inside this protected area, it is recommended to drive a 4WD vehicle and check the road condition according to the time of the year. Keep in mind that in this area no utility services are offered. The nearest town is Rincón de los Sauces (43 km.)

You can also visit the Argentino Urquiza Paleontological Municipal Museum and the Rincón Saurus Dinosaurs Park  in Rincón de los Sauces.

Zapala 

If you want to learn more about the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras, the Natural Sciences Provincial Museum “Prof.Dr. Juan A. Olsacher” exhibits a great variety of fossils from marine invertebrates and continental vertebrates (crocodiles and mammals) dating back to the Paleolithic period, as well as fossilized plants. 

Other museums

In Neuquén, there is a varied array of sites that houses Prehistoric discoveries: the Geological and Paleontological Museum in Comahue National University (Neuquén City), Dioramas Hall (Cutral Có, 118 km from Neuquén), the Natural Sciences Museum (Senillosa, 42 km) and the Paleontological Museum (Las Lajas, 247 km.)

In all these cities, you will find accommodation and restaurants, especially in Neuquén, Villa El Chocón, Zapala and Rincón de los Sauces. 

+ info: In the must-see Dinosaurs Road in Neuquén or at http://neuquentur.gob.ar/es/que-hacer/turismo-paleontologico/

In the middle of the Patagonian Steppe, this petrified forest features 30-metres high coniferous trees from the Upper Tertiary Period (Paleocene), extinct relatives of pehuenes or araucarias. 

There are 4 trails to explore the area. Two are wild pathways. You can explore the forest on a bicycle or on foot with local guides, known in the region as “guías baqueanos.”

You can also visit the Petrified Forest Natural Museum and the María Inés Kopp de Valcheta Regional Museum, which treasures a large collection of archaeological, geological, and historical pieces, as well as botanical remains of the Paleolithic Period.

When to visit

All year round.

How to get there

Valcheta is located 287 km from Viedma, 117 km from Las Grutas and 107 km from San Antonio Oeste. The protected area is 5 km from the town centre. 

You can book a day excursion to visit the petrified forest. 

+ info: https://turismo.rionegro.gov.ar/actividad/bosque-petrificado-de-valcheta_320 

https://www.realpatagonia.com.ar/

Halfway from the Andes to the sea, you will find this place where you’ll start a journey to the distant past, back when the steppe was actually a forest full of trees and plants. Today, this area looks like a science fiction film: trunks, branches, leaves, and even seeds of trees dating back to 65 million years ago, all turned into solid rock.

In the deep canyons, you will also get to see dinosaur and marine fish fossils. 

There is a 2.400-metre trail (one-hour round trip) that invites you to discover the remains of the Prehistoric fauna and flora, as well as to enjoy panoramic views from different viewpoints. 

The interpretative centre displays regional paleontological and archaeological remains. 

In Sarmiento, a town 30 km from the petrified forest, you can visit the Dinosaurs Theme Park with 11 life-size replicas of the most important dinosaurs in the region.

+ info: In the must-see Petrified Forest Sarmiento, at  https://chubutpatagonia.gob.ar/destino/area-natural-protegida-bosque-petrificado-sarmiento/ or at https://chubutpatagonia.gob.ar/experiencia/parque-tematico-de-dinosaurios-dr-ruben-martinez/ 

Considered to be one of the best paleontological exhibitions in the world, this museum houses scientific collections with more than 1.700 fossilized items of dinosaurs and other extinct species. 

The main highlight is the reconstruction of the skeleton of Patagotitan mayorum, the biggest dinosaur in the world. Its remains were found in 2014 in a town called El Sombrero. 

It also displays replicas of other dinosaurs found in Argentina like Carnotaurus sastrei, Gasparinisaura cincosaltensis, and Titanosaurus australis.

When to visit

All year round by reservation.

How to get there

It’s located on Fontana Avenue 140, Trelew. This city has an airport and a bus station. Some travel agencies offer visits to this museum in organized tours from Puerto Madryn (70 km.)

+ info: https://mef.org.ar/ 

This town is known for its Welsh tradition. You can also visit Bryn Gwyn (“white hill” in Welsh) Paleontological Park which belongs to Egidio Feruglio Paleontological Museum and offers a self-guided open-air tour. 

Along the trails, you will spot different geological layers with fossil deposits found in the Chubut River Inferior Valley.  

When to visit

All year round with prior reservation.

How to get there

You can get to Trelew by plane, by bus, or by car. Gaiman is 17 km from there, and the park is 7 km south of this town.

+ info:  www.gaiman.tur.ar

Lying on a windswept plain under the eye of Madre and Hija Hills, enormous 30-metres high and 2-metres wide trees rest here.

The starting point is the Tourist Information Centre, where a small museum leads you to the paleontological trail. At Hija Hill, you will find a viewpoint to admire panoramic views of the Patagonian Steppe.

Link to this must-see

+ info: in the must-see Jaramillo Petrified Forest National Park or at  https://www.argentina.gob.ar/parquesnacionales/bosquespetrificados/

This space invites you to see life-size replicas of dinosaurs discovered in La Pampa, such as a 15-metres long and 5-metre high Titanosaurus found in Colonia Chica, or a Lapampasaurus cholinoi, a herbivorous dinosaur unearthed in a quarry near Puelén. 

You can also visit the José Cholino Geomining Museum to see minerals and fossils.

When to visit

All year round.

How to get there

By car. 25 de Mayo is 412 km from Santa Rosa.

 + info:  https://turismo.lapampa.gob.ar/index.php/25-de-mayo 

The oldest museum in Argentina, boasting one of the most complete paleontological collections in Latin America. 

The main hall exhibits complete replicas and original fossils of many large dinosaurs found in Argentina.

It also displays an exhibition on the wildlife that inhabited Buenos Aires millions of years ago, where fossils and reconstructions of Megatheriums, sabre-toothed tigers, and Glyptodonts can be seen.

When to visit

You may visit the museum all year round.

How to get there

It’s located at Parque Centenario. You can get there by public transport or by car. 

+ info: https://www.macnconicet.gob.ar/ 

This is one of the most important natural science museums in Latin America. The permanent exhibition has 20 halls on two separate floors. 

The paleontological section displays many findings from naturalists of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, including  Francisco P. Moreno, Florentino and Carlos Ameghino, Rodolfo Hauthal, Alcides Mercerat, and Santiago Roth.  

When to visit

You can visit the museum all year round. 

How to get there

From Buenos Aires City, drive 55 km along Dr. Ricardo Balbín highway (RN1). You can also take a bus from Retiro and Constitución or even go by train (Ferrocarril Roca.) 

In La Plata, several bus lines can take you to Paseo del Bosque.

+ info: https://www.museo.fcnym.unlp.edu.ar/  https://turismo.laplata.gob.ar/portfolio/museos/

This reserve has great archaeological and paleontological value thanks to the signficant remains of gigantic animals and human footprints from inhabitants who lived in the region thousands of years ago along the beach, halfway between Pehuen Co and Monte Hermoso.

In Pehuen Co, you can see footprints of a Megatherium, a giant 6-metre high sloth bear, and remains of Glyptodonts, Mastodonts, and sabre-toothed cats.

In the well-preserved archaeological site Monte Hermoso, 6 km from the coastal city, footprints from original people dating back 7.000 years ago were found. 

We suggest stopping by the Vicente Di Martino Natural Science Museum, in Monte Hermoso, to learn about these findings. Visiting the reserve with local guides can help you spot marks, footprints, and outlines.

• + info: in the must-see Pehuen-Co and Monte Hermoso or at  https://montehermoso.gov.ar/sitio/atractivos/reserva-nat-provincial-pehuen-co-monte-hermoso/ 

This huge exhibition displays pieces of art, science, and technology and has an area dedicated to the Land of Dinosaurs. It features animatronic replicas of archaeological findings. 

When to visit

It is open during the holidays and special seasons. Visit the website to check this information.

How to get there

It’s located on General Paz avenue, J.B. de la Salle 4341, Villa Martelli.

+ info: https://tecnopolis.gob.ar/tecnopolis/tierra-de-dinos/ 

In Toropí creek, near Bella Vista, there is a paleontological field with well-preserved fossils from different species of megafauna (mastodonts, glyptodonts, gigantic armadillos, and toxodonts, among others).

The Paleontology museum displays collections from the Northeast National University with finds belonging to huge mammals that lived in the region during the Pleistocene in the Cenozoic Era.

If you would like to take a guided tour to these places, reach out to the Toropi’s Tour Guides Association.

When to visit

You may visit this site all year round. 

How to get there

The archaeological site is 120 km from Bella Vista and 151 km from Corrientes capital city, on the outskirts.

 + info:   https://www.bellavista.gob.ar/turismo/toropi/yacimiento.html