National park · Argentina
San Guillermo National ParkParque Nacional San Guillermo
Enter San Guillermo National Park: pay ARS 2000 entry (check), drive 4WD from Rodeo (3–4 h), hike the 8 km (5 mi) Cerro de la Cruz loop in ~3 h in summer; best months Dec–Feb; avoid July‑August crowds.Enter San Guillermo National Park: pay ARS 2000 entry (check), drive 4WD from Rodeo (3–4 h), hike the 5 mi (8 km) Cerro de la Cruz loop in ~3 h in summer; best months Dec–Feb; avoid July‑August crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,660 km² (641 sq mi)641 sq mi (1,660 km²)
approximate
Established
1999
Best months
Dec–Feb
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Argentina ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Argentina's National Migration Directorate (Migraciones) or an Argentine consulate before booking.
- Argentina ↗Since April 2025 the official, MEP and street ('blue') dollar rates sit within a few percent of each other; a foreign card is usually the best-value way to pay, while ATM withdrawals carry high fixed fees. Rules have changed often — check before you fly.
- Argentina ↗Patagonia (El Calafate, El Chaltén, Ushuaia) is a November–March trip; in winter many services close and hiking is limited.
- Argentina ↗Since August 2026 non-resident foreigners must show insurance or pay for non-urgent care at nationally run public hospitals, and Buenos Aires City, Mendoza, Salta, Jujuy and Santa Cruz charge visitors for scheduled care; emergencies are still treated. Travel with medical insurance — check the current rules.
At a glance
- Country
- Argentina
- Area
- 1,660 km² (641 sq mi)641 sq mi (1,660 km²)
- Official area is over 166,000 ha (≈1 660 km²) per park authority; some maps show slight variation.
- Established
- 1999
- Best months
- Dec–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- San Juan
San Guillermo National Park protects high‑altitude steppe, snow‑capped peaks and key species such as vicuña, guanaco and Andean condor; access requires a permit and a guide with a 4WD vehicle.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1980UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Size and age
1,660 km² (641 sq mi)641 sq mi (1,660 km²) · national park since 1999
Official area is over 166,000 ha (≈1 660 km²) per park authority; some maps show slight variation.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: San Juan.
Why go
- High‑altitude steppe landscape with snow‑capped peaks and abundant wildlife such as vicuña and Andean condor.
- Remote trekking opportunities like the Cerro de la Cruz loop with panoramic views of the Andes.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanWarmest days, clear skies.
- FebMild temperatures, good for trekking.
- MarCooling down, still dry.
- AprCool, occasional snow at high peaks.
- MayCold nights, early snow.
- JunCold, possible early snow.
- JulWinter, heavy snow, limited access.
- AugWinter, harsh conditions.
- SepCold, thawing begins.
- OctCold but improving, less crowd.
- NovCold, early spring.
- DecStart of summer, best trekking weather.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VicuñaAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| GuanacoAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Andean condorAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| PumaAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From San Juan city
Drive north 200 km (124 mi) on Ruta 40, then west on provincial route 149 or 150 to Rodeo; 4WD required.Drive north 124 mi (200 km) on Ruta 40, then west on provincial route 149 or 150 to Rodeo; 4WD required.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Mendoza
Bus to San Juan (≈5 h) then follow above route.
≈8 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Rodeo entrance | Ranger office, permit registration, vehicle hire point. | Open daily; permits required. |
| High mountain area | Cerro de la Cruz, condor lookout, glacial valleys. | Guided only. |
| Steppe wildlife zone | Vicuña and guanaco grazing areas. | Guided only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates based on official park site and Wikidata; approximate for remote points.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry permit | ARS 2,000 | person | Check official price. |
| Guide & 4WD vehicle | ARS 5,000–8,000 | group | Includes guide and vehicle hire. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Guided trek permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ARS 2,000
- ARS 5,000–8,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Permits
- All visitors must have a park entry permit and be accompanied by an approved guide.
- Vehicle
- Only 4WD vehicles with a guide are allowed on park roads.
- Camping
- Camping inside the park is prohibited; use the Agua del Godo shelter (reservation required).
- Fires
- Open fires are not allowed; use designated cooking equipment at the shelter.
- Pets
- Pets are not permitted in the park.
Where to stay
In the park
Agua del Godo Centro Operativo
Basic shelter with electricity and water; bring sleeping bag and food.
Near the park
Rodeo town hotels
Small hotels and guesthouses with basic amenities.
Safety
Altitude sickness medium
Weather change high
Remote location medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Rodeo entrance reachable by car; short walks to ranger office.
- Trail sections steep and rough; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use approved guides and 4WD operators that follow park regulations.
- Do not disturb wildlife; keep distance from vicuña and condor.
- Leave no trace; pack out all rubbish.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter San Guillermo National Park?
The entry permit is ARS 2000 per person (check official price); a guided 4WD vehicle costs ARS 5000–8000 per group.
What are the best hikes in San Guillermo National Park?
Cerro de la Cruz loop (8 km, moderate) and the guided steppe trek to vicuña grazing areas are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit San Guillermo National Park?
December to February offers the warmest, driest conditions for trekking; avoid July‑August when winter snow limits access.
Do I need a guide to enter the park?
Yes. All visitors must have a park entry permit and be accompanied by an approved guide for any trail beyond the entrance area.
Can I camp inside the park?
No. Camping is prohibited; use the Agua del Godo shelter (reservation required) or stay in Rodeo.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about San Guillermo National Park
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