Santa Bárbara Department: Nature and Cultural Heritage

In Santa Bárbara Department, forest landscapes, viewpoints, and traces of the past come together. The Las Lancitas Provincial Nature Reserve, the area around Palma Sola, and the towns of El Fuerte and Abra de los Morteros offer different starting points for planning your trip: from wildlife watching and trails to colonial and archaeological history.

Forest Landscapes and Wildlife Watching

The Las Lancitas Provincial Nature Reserve encompasses Yungas and Chaco landscapes, as well as extensive forest areas. Many animal species can be observed here, including species that are rare elsewhere in the province. The protected area also preserves a large part of the watersheds of the Santa Rita and Valdivia streams. Their water supplies Palma Sola with drinking water and local farmland with irrigation water.

The Alisero Parrot is a particular highlight for nature enthusiasts. El Fuerte has the largest concentration of these birds in the region, where they can be seen in large, noisy flocks.

Views and Scenery Along the Routes

Cerro Mirador de Palma Sola overlooks the city of Palma Sola, agricultural land, the Real de los Toros area, and RP 25; the Maíz Gordo mountain range can be seen in the background. Loma de la Cruz offers panoramic views of El Fuerte and parts of the Sierras de Centinela. The two viewpoints reveal different aspects of the landscape: one takes in the city and its surroundings, the other El Fuerte and the mountain ranges.

The landscape also changes along RP 25. From Palma Sola, the road first passes through dry, xerophytic woodland before entering dense subtropical forest in the Maíz Gordo mountain range. The route to Palma Sola follows RN 66 and RN 34, then RP 1 and RP 6. Check road conditions locally before planning your drive.

Visitor Trails and Nature Spots

Three visitor trails opened in the Las Lancitas Provincial Nature Reserve in January 2025: El Angosto, El Mangrullo, and Miradores. A description from December 2024 states that the Miradores trail was designed for people with reduced mobility and visitors who are blind. Check current trail conditions before visiting.

Cascada de El Fuerte, also known as Cascada La Colorada, is located 13 kilometers south of El Fuerte and 150 meters from the road. Along the Río Maíz Gordo, there are spots for swimming and photographing the surrounding forest landscape. Check local access options in advance if you plan to visit these spots.

Colonial History and Cultural Heritage

The Antiguo Fuerte, also known as Presidio de Santa Bárbara, was built in the 18th century as a colonial defensive fortress. Abra de los Morteros offers a different glimpse into the past: the archaeological site belongs to the San Francisco culture and dates from 800 BCE to 500 CE. It contains large stones with depressions that were used for grinding corn.

Leatherwork is also part of El Fuerte's cultural heritage. A description from 2023 gives the second Saturday in January as the date of the Festival del Caballo Criollo, Coleto y Guardamonte. The program described includes gaucho performances, Chaco folk music, and crafts made from wood and leather. The Feria de Gastronomía Regional is held in connection with the festival. Check current dates and program details before your trip.

Hot Springs and Trip Planning

The Termas del Palmar de Lambrisca lie at an elevation of 850 meters on the western slope of the Sierra de Santa Bárbara. The hyperthermal water produces visible steam at each spring. This hot springs landscape adds another natural attraction to the forest and cultural experiences.

Whether you want to focus your trip on wildlife watching, viewpoints, trails, or history, each of the destinations mentioned offers a different focus. Plan your drive based on road conditions, and check the latest information for activities with specific dates or access requirements.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Palma Sola, Ledesma Department, San Antonio, Doctor Manuel Belgrano Department, Yavi, Santa Catalina Department, El Carmen Department, Humahuaca Department.

For the main travel overview: Jujuy.