Argentina > Salta

Top Things to Do

Both are lit up at night and are a beautiful site with their striking colonial architecture. The church is characterized by its enormous four-story tower and beautiful adobe walls. The convent (closed to tourists) is famous for its entrance that was carved from a carob tree by the original natives of Salta in 1762.

This gondola, originating in the San Martin Park, takes you to the top of the San Bernardo Mountain from where you can see the entire city and the surrounding mountain ranges. (A$4 one direction, daily 10:00am - 7:30pm). The view itself isn't all that appealing, but it gives an interesting perspective on the Valle de Lerma with the mountains off in the distance. There is a cafe at the top where you can sit and enjoy the view, as well as a fake waterfall which is actually very pleasant.

A nice trip is to start at the Plaza del Lago, across from the teleferico station, where there is a small lake with paddleboat rentals. Take the ride to the top and come back down via the staircase which drops you off beside the Museo de Antropologea (A$1; Mon-Fri 8:30am - 6:30pm; Sat 9:00am - 1:00pm and 3:00pm - 6:00pm) which is worth cruising through, and behind the Monumento a Guemes, surrounded by a quiet park set in a nice neighborhood. Those looking for a workout can join the locals in the 1/2 hour walk up the staircase to the top. Keep in mind that everything is a little more difficult at this altitude.

The MAAM (Mitre 77; Tues - Sun 9:00am - 1:00pm and 4:00pm - 9:00pm; 0387-4370499; A$10, A$3 for Argentineans) is a new museum dedicated to one of the most important archaeological discoveries in the region. In 1999, three mummified children of the Inca civilization were uncovered at the peak of Llullaillaco volcano, 6700 feet above sea level. Although the mummies themselves are not on display (they plan to open them to the public in October, 2006), the museum does a wonderful job of communicating the findings and their significance. A word of caution: although the accompanying media is subtitled in English, the descriptions and stories unfortunately are not. The museum’s website (listed above) provides a good overview of the exhibits.

Take a visit to this charming village nearby where you can walk around and admire the beautiful houses in the hillside or hike and bike around the area enjoying the flora and fauna of the surrounding tropical forest of the Quebrada. To get there you can take a taxi (approximately 10 minutes; A$12) or take the yellow collectivo bus (A$0.70) from either the San Martin Park or the stop at Entre Rios and Avenida 20 de Febrero.

Every Sunday running through until the evening there is a market on Balcarce that displays the work of fine local artisans. A vast array of silverware, furniture, clothing and embroidery is available. You can bargain with the artists although these prices are already typically well below what you will pay in Buenos Aires.

Salta is famous for its folkloric music, for which there are several well established venues along the Balcarce strip near the old train station. Most of the shows at these venues involve dinner as well, and don’t get going until after 10:30pm. But fear not, many of them run through until 5:00am so you can get your fill of folklore. Any of the places along this strip will produce equally entertaining shows. In fact the performers and the viewers alike will often spend the night jumping from one venue to the next. So pick the one with the atmosphere that suits you and see how it goes. The most genuine venue is off this beaten track and is worth a visit: La Casona del Molino (Luis Bulera 1 at Caseros). Don’t expect great service, but we can assure you loads of fun and a great environment in a beautiful colonial house overlooking the Salta cityscape.

A beautiful, traditional town located in the Calchaqui Valley that has maintained both indigenous and Spanish traditions. Wander through the narrow streets and enjoy the beautiful old houses, or head to Cachi Adentro and take advantage of the stunning mountain landscapes. This route is best done with a tour as the roads can be exhausting to drive.

Humahuaca is a town situated along the Quebrada Humahuaca which follows the 'Camino Inca' along the valley of the Rio Grande. The spectacular landscape of the area is enhanced by its historical significance as a crucial passageway in Incan times. It is for these reasons that the Quebrada was designated as a World Heritage site in 2003. The towns of Tilcara and Humahuaca (separated by a few kilometers) hint at this colourful history with their quiet little roads and central squares. The indigenous ruins of Pucara, in Tilcara, are worth visiting. We also recommend the trek to the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) waterfall, in the middle of the mountains.

This tiny town is hidden in the mountains at the end of a slope near the Iruya River. It is as if time stood still here as the locals' customs and their attire maintain their tradition. It is well worth the trip to wander along these narrow, cobble stoned streets lined with colourful houses. Getting there is half the fun, passing through the mountains with their peculiar formations and vast array of colours.

It’s easy to get to Iruya with an organized tour, or you can take public transport from the Humahuaca bus station. You might want to spend the night there to avoid being on the road all day. The trip is long yet fascinating!

This area was named after the indigenous peoples who inhabited this land before the Spanish arrived. Today these lands are sparsely populated, but provide some very scenic views and rich archaeological zones including pre-Inca ruins. It is a full day's journey to make it through to Purmamarca and back. Although it is a quiet town, it is a nice place to spend the night if you intend to carry on the next day to Tilcara, Humahuaca and Iruya.

The best way to see this circuit is with a tour or a private guide in a 4x4 vehicle. There is also the Tren de Las Nubes however the train is seasonal and the schedule isn’t very reliable. It is also a very long ride (12+ hours) so we don’t recommend it for those seeking adventure. It is also possible to rent a car and drive the circuit on your own but be warned, it is long driving and the roads can be tough to navigate. Both Active Argentina and Movitrak are two very different but very good options to do this tour.

San Antonio de Los Cobres is the largest settlement in the area. Today it is a copper mining town set 3,770 meters above sea level. Although there is little to see, it gives an interesting perspective on life in these high planes. Driving north along Route 40 you will arrive at Las Salinas Grandes, which is a large salt flat created by the sediments, which are the remnants of a lake. This vast area resembles a snow-filled meadow. An immense silence permeates the surroundings, intermixed with wandering llamas, donkeys and vicunas - an endangered species that originated in the Andes, and are recognized for their fine hair.

Heading east from here takes you further up through the mountain range to 4200 meters above sea level. Views are outstanding, but breathing is difficult for some people, and you might feel tired. Chewing Coca leaves can help at this level, and remember to stay hydrated. After driving down the wonderful Cuesta del Lipan, you arrive at beautiful Purmamarca, the last stop on this circuit. Situated at the base of Cerro de Los Siete Colores, this town provides stunning landscape and is a charming spot to wander around. This charming little town has a central square where artisan stalls have been set up and is surrounded by the adobe buildings and the Iglesia Santa Rosa de Lima at the far end, which dates back to 1648

Movitrack offers several tours around the Salta region including a 2-day tour, which continues the Puna circuit up to Humahuaca. MiniSafaris are an option for those who want a smaller group with an enclosed vehicle. It is definitely the most commercial and well-organized group of the bunch. Movitrack@movitrak.com.ar; www.movitrack.com.ar

Cafayate has some old traditional wineries as well as some new ones that are taking advantage of Argentina's popularity in the wine industry. The town's altitude results in a dry climate with warm sunny days and cool nights. This provides the perfect environment for Torrontes, a dry, white varietal that originated in Spain. Wineries range from small, family-run boutiques to large and industrial wineries. For more information on visiting the vineyards see the articles of interest on the Argentina page.

The Salta Cathedral was completely destroyed by an earthquake in the 17th century and its reconstruction, which began on January 17th 1856, was not completed until 1882. The three main patriotic figures in the history of the province,were buried in this cathedral, the most renowned being Martin Miguel de Guemes. This beautiful building was built with neo-colonial style and houses the mythical figure, El Senor de Los Milagros (The Lord of Miracles), a figure of Jesus Christ which was sent from Spain by a ship that sank. However the figure arrived on shore intact and was found and placed at this Cathedral. The Cathedral has been a National Historic Monument since 1964.

This authentic Mercado first opened in 1968. The historic house belonged to a Jesuit community in the 1700’s until King Charles V of Spain expulsed them. From the Plaza 9 de Julio in Salta, you can catch a taxi to the Mercado Artesanal located in a beautiful colonial house. Here you will find some of the best local arts and crafts products at great prices. If you are seeking higher quality art (which are a bit more expensive) it can be found in the shops all around the Plaza 9 de Julio. Located at San Martin 2555, the Mercado Artesanal is open daily from 9am to 9pm.