When we were planning our trip around Argentina, Salta in the northwest always caught our attention. Bordered by Chile, Bolivia, and Paraguay, we knew this region would be rich in culture and worth exploring.
We arrived in Salta city late at night, tired and hungry from our journey from Montevideo. Despite being exhausted and needing food, our spirits were high, and our first impression of Salta was very positive.
As we arrived at our posada, we realized we didn’t have any Argentine pesos to pay the taxi driver. The driver patiently waited while Nick asked the posada owner for money. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get any, so we offered the driver US dollars. Surprisingly, the driver gave us a fair exchange rate, handed us our change, and even shook our hands goodbye.
This positive encounter was our first experience with the kind and welcoming people of Salta. From then on, everyone we met was equally friendly.
Salta is located at the foothills of the Andes, at an elevation of 1,152 meters. Though the air was dry, the weather was perfect with high sun and clear skies. We couldn’t have asked for better weather, especially in January when it usually rains the most.
Exploring the city in daylight was a delight. The walk to the main plaza was as beautiful as the plaza itself. We were mesmerized by the San Francisco Church, especially when we learned it has a statue of San Roque, the Patron Saint of dogs.
Every August, well-groomed dogs are blessed by the priest at the church, wearing red ribbons for a blessed year. During our walking tour, a stray dog followed us into the church, seemingly unaware that it wasn’t August.
The Salta Cathedral, a Baroque-style, pink Roman Catholic cathedral, was stunning. We’ve never seen a pink cathedral before, making it even more fascinating.
The main plaza was surrounded by museums, restaurants, hotels, and shops set in neo-classical, baroque, or French-style buildings. The balcony of the Centro Cultura America gave us an incredible view of the square and San Bernardo hill beyond. Everywhere we looked in the plaza, the views were spectacular.
Salta’s history is deeply intertwined with the Inca culture. The Museum of High Altitude Archaeology houses three mummified children discovered in 1999 on Mount Llullaillaco. Due to the freezing conditions, the bodies and their clothing are incredibly well-preserved. Only one of the mummies is displayed every three months to preserve their condition. Seeing La Niña Del Rayo (lightning girl) during our visit was a surreal experience, as she was perfectly preserved.
While it’s difficult to understand why the Inca practiced child sacrifice, it was common in pre-Columbian times to appease the gods. The museum helped us understand the Andean culture and their reverence for the mountains.
Both Spanish and Indigenous influences are prominent in Salta, not just in architecture and religion, but also in food. We discovered “Locro,” a hearty Andean stew made of stewed meat, white corn, beans, and papa chola potatoes, at La Criolleta restaurant.
We also found an affordable restaurant called Viracocha, serving Andean, Peruvian, and South American cuisines. During our trip, we went there five times, enjoying dishes like quinoa soup, vegetarian pasta, steak, pork, chicken, and empanadas. The unique sauces and mint-infused lemonade were exceptional, and the meals were filling without breaking the bank.
On our final day, we decided to hike up San Bernardo hill. Though exhausting, the hike was worth it as we were treated to a fantastic panoramic view of Salta. We descended the steps feeling satisfied with our decision to visit Salta, thoroughly intrigued by its culture, food, and history.
Eager for more, we decided to rent a car and explore the provinces of Salta and Jujuy for eight days, eager to see what more this region had to offer.