Catamarca: Inca heritage and landscapes full of contrasts
Accommodation in Catamarca
In Catamarca, the landscape ranges from deserts and volcanoes to Yungas, forests, and lagoons. Archaeological sites and historic buildings give the province other distinctive points of interest. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether to focus on culture, nature watching, outdoor activities, or regional traditions.
Archaeology and historic routes
El Shincal de Quimivil was built by the Incas between 1471 and 1536 at the foot of the Quimivil mountain range. Visitor facilities include an interpretation center, signposted trails, and a guided tour service; their availability depends on local operating conditions.
Pueblo Perdido de la Quebrada is a testament to the early phase of the La Aguada culture. The archaeological site comprises more than 40 stone structures grouped around a central plaza. At Parque ArqueolĂłgico La Tunita, rock overhangs shelter significant rock paintings representative of northwestern Argentina. The park is surrounded by Cebil forest.
The route between La Ciudacita de Arriba and La Ciudacita de Abajo is part of the Qhapaq Ă‘an, the Andean road system that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Sendero La Ciudacita is a challenging hike lasting five to seven days. It can be accessed from the town of El Tesoro in the Santa MarĂa Department of Catamarca.
Architecture and mining history
The Ruta del Adobe is 50 kilometers long and passes through towns that preserve their original adobe architecture. In Fiambalá, the Iglesia de San Pedro is a National Historic Monument with colonial architecture. San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca offers museums and monuments, as well as religious, historical, and archaeological walking tours.
The Túneles de la Merced are an unfinished engineering structure from a railway project. It was intended to cross the Sierra del Gracián and connect Catamarca with Tucumán and Argentina’s northwest via the Ferrocarril General Belgrano. The Túneles de la Merced combine railway history, jungle landscapes, trekking, and photographic safaris. Minas Capillitas has been prepared for access to former mining areas; visitors can see old smelting furnaces, chimneys, slag heaps, sections of a 33-kilometer material cableway, an old chapel, and other structures.
Landscapes and outdoor activities
Campo de Piedra PĂłmez is a chalk-colored rock landscape at 3,000 meters above sea level. The dunes of TatĂłn are made of sand and are described as the highest in the world. You can sandboard on the sand hills; quad bike and four-wheel-drive tours are also available.
The Diamante and Grande lagoons lie in the crater of Volcán Galán. The area is home to flamingo-like parinas, fumaroles with temperatures of 86 °C, vicuñas, and foxes. The Salar de Antofalla includes Laguna Verde, other colorful lagoons, and waterholes. Large numbers of vicuñas and suris live in its ravines.
El Rodeo is set in a landscape of forests, hills, rivers, and mountain streams. Trekking, mountaineering, horseback riding, and cycling are available there. At Dique Las Pirquitas, activities include rowing, kayaking, jet skiing, motorboating, and fishing. There are also hiking and cycling routes.
The Termas de Fiambalá offer thermal waters at the foot of the Andes. They are located at an altitude of more than 1,500 meters. This gives Catamarca a wide range of nature experiences, from chalk-colored rock landscapes and sand dunes to crater lagoons, thermal waters, and activities at the reservoir.
Laguna Blanca: nature, culture, and cuisine
Laguna Blanca is part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves and is an important habitat for migratory birds, including flamingos. The lagoon is ideal for birdwatching and photography, and can be explored on horseback or on foot. The Museo Integral de la Reserva de Biosfera de Laguna Blanca offers archaeological tours, rock art tours, workshops, and projects. Check locally for visitor programs.
The local menu in Laguna Blanca features Andean crops such as broad beans and potatoes, as well as quinoa and charqui made from llama or lamb. Chaku, the traditional shearing of vicuñas, takes place every November in Laguna Blanca and other towns in the north of the Belén and Antofagasta de la Sierra Departments. Check the specific dates for the relevant year before your trip.
Wine and events
Wine tourism in Catamarca includes visits to wineries and vineyards in Tinogasta, Fiambalá, and Santa MarĂa, as well as tastings of Malbec, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and TorrontĂ©s. Check in advance which wineries offer visits and tastings. Catamarca also hosts the Fiesta Nacional e Internacional del Poncho every July. Check the dates of that year’s event before your trip.
Getting there and planning your trip
San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca can be reached by air via Coronel Felipe Varela International Airport, via National Route 60, and by long-distance bus. Check current connections before traveling. When looking for a hotel, it helps to focus on the places and activities that matter most for your stay.
Discover more destinations: Ambato Department, Tinogasta Department, Coneta, San Fernando Del Valle De Catamarca, Tinogasta, La Merced, Ancasti Department, Antofagasta De La Sierra Department, Las Mojarras, Cerro Negro, Valle Viejo Department, PaclĂn Department, Santa MarĂa Department, Andalgalá Department, Capayán Department, El Alto Department, BelĂ©n Department.
For the broader travel overview: Argentina.
