Capital Department

Capital Department brings together a range of travel experiences: in San Lorenzo, guided tours wind through jungle and hills, while the city of Salta offers its own highlights, including museums, architecture, and viewpoints. When choosing a vacation rental, you can consider which of these sides of the destination you want to shape your trip most.

Nature and trails around San Lorenzo

San Lorenzo is known for its birdlife and nature experiences. Several areas are classified as AICAs, or Areas of Importance for the Conservation of Birds. More than 230 bird species are recorded there, particularly in the Reserva Privada El Huaico. The Reserva Natural del Huaico offers guided hikes lasting around four hours. Visitors can observe and identify hundreds of bird species along the way. The two reserves therefore offer different ways to connect with nature and birds.

Guided trekking tours in San Lorenzo pass through jungle and hills and offer panoramic views; along the way, you can learn about the local flora and fauna. Another way to explore the area is the Circuito con Bicicletas eléctricas San Lorenzo - Las Costas: it crosses San Lorenzo, goes to Finca Las Costas, and continues to Quebrada de San Lorenzo. Avenida Juan Carlos Dávalos, also known as “Camino a la Quebrada,” features various architectural styles and leads to the Quebrada. The city of Salta’s public bus service terminates there.

Visits to craft workshops can also be arranged in San Lorenzo. The focus is on distinctive pieces associated with rural or gaucho life. This gives you several possible options for planning your trip: guided nature experiences, an e-bike tour, or an introduction to local crafts.

Salta City: Views and Culture

In the city of Salta, Cerro San Bernardo is an urban nature reserve. From there, panoramic views extend across the entire Valle de Lerma. You can reach the summit by cable car, along a scenic path, or via a set of stairs. The Teleférico San Bernardo is located in Parque San Martín and reaches the summit in a ten-minute ride. The park also has an artificial lake where visitors can rent boats. The “Cuchi Leguizamón” Amphitheater hosts performances by local artists from various fields.

The Teleférico Ala Delta offers another cable car connection, linking the summit of Cerro San Bernardo with Cerro Ala Delta. The panoramic route is more than a kilometer long and runs above the city and its surrounding hills. This offers a range of experiences for a trip with children or multiple generations: mountain views, a cable car ride, or a visit to the park.

The city’s museums also offer a variety of perspectives. The Cabildo de Salta was declared a National Historic Monument in 1937 and has been home to the Museo Histórico del Norte since 1949. Its departments focus on archaeology and sacred art; there are also exhibits about General Martín Miguel de Güemes and Manuel Belgrano. The Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña (MAAM) preserves and presents the 1999 discovery at the Llullaillaco volcano: three Inca children and their grave goods. They had been sacrificed more than 500 years ago as part of the “Capacocha” ceremony. The MAAM is housed in a renovated historic building dating from the 19th century and features permanent and temporary exhibitions. Ten galleries at the Museo Güemes, each with distinct theatrical and audiovisual elements, tell the story of General Martín Miguel de Güemes and the struggle for independence.

Salta’s historic center brings together important examples of architectural heritage. There is a pedestrian area around Plaza 9 de Julio and along the Corredor de la Fe. Salta was founded on April 16, 1582. Those interested in history and urban architecture can combine this focus with the museums and the views from Cerro San Bernardo.

Traditions and More Travel Ideas

The patronal festival of Our Lady of Atocha is celebrated every December in Atocha. In the corresponding municipality, participants can also learn to prepare traditional dishes from northern Argentina as part of a culinary experience. Local traditions and cuisine thus complement the trip’s nature and cultural offerings.

For more destinations, you can also explore Rosario de Lerma Department, Gral. Martín Miguel de Güemes, Molinos Department, Rivadavia Department, Libertador General San Martín Department, Rosario de la Frontera Department and Tafí del Valle Department. An introduction to the city is available at Salta.

Back to the main travel overview: Salta.