Discover Capital Department

Capital Department offers a range of travel experiences: San Lorenzo is known for birdwatching and guided nature tours, while Salta offers urban viewpoints, historic architecture and museums. Atocha also has its own cultural character. You can make any of these experiences a focus when planning your trip.

Birdlife and hikes in San Lorenzo

San Lorenzo combines hilly and jungle landscapes with activities that showcase the local flora and fauna. Guided trekking tours lead through jungle and hills and offer panoramic views. They also suit travelers who want to learn about the area's plant and animal life.

The Reserva Natural del Huaico is a special destination for birdwatching. San Lorenzo has several areas classified as AICAS, or Areas of Importance for the Conservation of Birds. More than 230 bird species have been recorded in the area, especially in the Reserva Privada El Huaico. Hikes there last about four hours and are led by specialists. Along the way, you can observe and identify hundreds of bird species; the stated duration is a guide for planning your time.

Routes, workshops and traditions

San Lorenzo can also be explored by bike as a distinct part of your trip: the Circuito con Bicicletas eléctricas San Lorenzo–Las Costas passes through San Lorenzo, leads to Finca Las Costas and continues to Quebrada de San Lorenzo. Avenida Juan Carlos Dávalos, also known as Camino a la Quebrada, also leads to the Quebrada. Public transport from the city of Salta terminates on Avenida Juan Carlos Dávalos. As the route may change, check it locally before setting out.

Another way to experience local culture is to visit artisan workshops. Visits can be arranged; the workshops focus on distinctive pieces associated with rural or gaucho life. Arrange your visit in advance, as this activity is available by request.

Atocha celebrates the patronal festival of the Holy Virgin of Atocha every December. The exact dates may vary. If you would like to plan your trip around this occasion, check the dates for your intended travel period.

Views and green spaces in the municipality of Salta

In the municipality of Salta, Cerro San Bernardo combines an urban nature reserve with sweeping panoramic views across the entire Valle de Lerma. The summit is accessible by cable car, along a scenic path or via stairs. The Teleférico San Bernardo is located in Parque San Martín and reaches the summit in a ten-minute ride.

Parque San Martín offers other experiences, too: visitors can rent boats on its artificial lake. The park is also home to the Cuchi Leguizamón amphitheater, where local artists from various disciplines perform. The program may vary. From the summit of Cerro San Bernardo, the Teleférico Ala Delta offers another route with views: it travels more than a kilometer to Cerro Ala Delta, passing above the city and its surrounding hills.

Historic center and museums in Salta

Salta's historic center is home to significant examples of architectural heritage. There is a pedestrian area around Plaza 9 de Julio and along the Corredor de la Fe. The Cabildo de Salta houses the Museo Histórico del Norte, with archaeology and sacred art sections, as well as exhibits on General Martín Miguel de Güemes and Manuel Belgrano. The Cabildo was declared a National Historic Monument in 1937 and has housed the museum since 1949.

The Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña (MAAM) preserves and interprets the archaeological find discovered in 1999 at Llullaillaco Volcano: three Inca children and their grave goods, sacrificed more than 500 years ago as part of the Capacocha ceremony. The MAAM is housed in a renovated 19th-century historic building and features permanent and temporary exhibitions. In Salta, visitors can learn both about the discovery and how it is presented in a museum.

Another historical highlight is the Museo Güemes. Across ten rooms, a range of theatrical and audiovisual elements tell the story of General Martín Miguel de Güemes and the struggle for independence. Together with the Cabildo and the MAAM, it offers different ways to explore history, from archaeological heritage and sacred art to the independence movement.

Discover more destinations: Salta, La Caldera Department, Anta Department, Rivadavia Department, Molinos Department, Rosario de la Frontera Department, La Viña, Orán Department.

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