Choosing the best places to visit in Jujuy is difficult for me. What I can say is that it’s a province of Argentina that has all the diversity in the world – from the rainforest, through to the valleys and streams which reach to the desert Puna de Atacama of the Andean mountain range.
Jujuy has landscapes that will leave you speechless when you see them for the first time. Combine this with the people that surround these places who are hospitable, honest and friendly. People here look out for their visitors and make sure they have the best time.
Our most entrenched traditions come from the Inca cultures. From a young age we are taught to care, protect and thank Pachamama (female deity of the earth) for the things we have in life. We recognise that our food, goods and even our own lives come from Pachamama.
This shows in every town and in all the people of Jujuy. On the other hand, Jujuy is quite a large place and so our customs (with less Inca influences) can differ from place to place. It’s actually quite a diverse region of Argentina, not only in landscapes but also in local culture.
By the way! My name is Kevin. I’m 24 years old and I was born in a mining town called El Aguilar, Argentina. The town is located in the Puna Jujeña at about 3900 meters above sea level. I spent my childhood there and then moved to continue my studies in the provincial capital.
Life here in the city is very different from where I grew up. Maybe that is what motivated me to always want to go back to the mountains to feel the silence and connect with Mamapacha. I try to visit towns in my province almost once a week.
The Best Places to Visit in Jujuy
In general, I usually visit the central and northern region of Jujuy province. This includes places such as Quebrada de Humahuaca (UNESCO World Heritage site – 2003) and all the towns that make up the circuit.
The most recognised places are Purmamarca, Salinas Grandes, Tilcara, Uquia, Humahuaca, Maimara, Serranias del Hornocal, Inca Cave, Cusi Cusi, Punta Corral, Iturbe and Cerro el Huancar. You can even go as far as the northern border of Argentina – in the city of La Quiaca. In all of these places there is a sensation that is repeated of peace and tranquility.
My favourite place in Jujuy is hard to choose because each place is so special. But I think the Serranias del Hornocal would be my favourite. It’s a place that has managed to make me feel the same emotions every time.
No matter how many times I visit, it always feels like the first time. I’m always left speechless at the landscapes. All I can do is contemplate and feel tiny in the face of that kind of immensity, thanking Pachamama for being there.
Cherished Memories from Argentina’s Northwest
I have many amazing memories from exploring Jujuy and one of my most cherished was during the Geminids Meteor Shower last year. Together with some friends we planned to camp in the Salinas Grandes on the night of the most activity. We arrived just after noon but the weather did not look encouraging. There were many rain clouds floating about.
Far from discouraging us, we continued with our plan until the afternoon and then a strong wind began to blow. The sky was now clear from clouds and we felt rewarded for our conviction of sticking with the plan!
We had perfect weather that night and could see dozens of falling stars. It was undoubtedly the best memory of that year as we shared food and drinks between talks and laughter, and watched the skies above.
Attractions, Culture and Food of Jujuy
The top attractions of Jujuy for me are of course Serranias del Hornocal and Salinas Grandes. There is another attraction which is more of a cultural experience and that is participating in one of our own rituals.
Depending on the time of the year, you can go to: the Pachamama Celebration in August, the Carnivals in February and the Inti Raymi (God of the Sun) celebration in June. Participating in any of them is something extremely exciting and unique.
Our native food is based on pre-Hispanic culture. Foods like corn, potatoes, llama and lamb meat are quite common. To my personal taste, the richest is the Taqui de Charqui. It’s prepared with ground corn and a kind of pasta that is filled with stir-fried vegetables and “charqui” which is meat that is dried and dehydrated in the sun.
Our ancestors made a lot of charqui in order for the food to last. All this is wrapped in the chala or shell of the choclos and cooked in boiling water. It’s a delicacy!
Travel Tips for your Visit to Jujuy
I could you thousands of pieces of advice for Jujuy because my wish is that anyone who visits us has a perfect stay and enjoy their time here. So as not to bore you, I will give you the most important travel tips. The first is to take care and respect every place that you visit.
Jujuy has a heritage of hundreds of years and many times we do not have a notion of what we are seeing. When you visit you are stepping on and touching more than just a beautiful landscape. Linked to this beauty is the fact that visiting these places is accompanied by local guides who were born there and who are guardians of all the heritage.
Last but not least, do not underestimate the altitude, climate and geography in Jujuy. Many places are close to the Puna de Atacama itself and conditions can change abruptly. So it’s important that you take the necessary precautions and pack gear that is suitable.
Thanks for reading my article on the best attractions and places to visit in Jujuy. I hope you have taken some inspiration from my words and I hope to see you in this beautiful region of Argentina one day soon!