Salta

Salta is the capital of the province of Salta, up in the mountains in northern Argentina. Salta is typically visited as a launching point for the nature and small towns in the region, but has its own charms and sights worth seeing too.

Weather
Salta enjoys 4 distinct seasons and is known for having very pleasant weather. Summers are warm with frequent thunderstorms and cloudy weather. Daytime highs are around 26 to 28°C (79 to 82°F) with mild, pleasant nights at around 15 or 16°C (59 or 61°F). Fall brings pleasant weather during the day with cool nights. In winter, conditions are dry with mild days followed by cold nights. Frosts are common although snowfall is rare.

Tourist information

 * Salta Travel website

By plane


Bus 8A runs between the airport and the bus terminal downtown (the airport bus stop is about a half-kilometer from the terminal; walk along the street that the cars are taking to leave the airport, and you'll get to it).

Taxis are reliable and use the meter. Drivers wait just outside of arrivals. A trip between the city center and the airport runs approximately AR$250-300 by the meter (June 2019).

By bus
There are connections to all major cities in Argentina. The is just one block from Parque San Martín, or 8 blocks from the main plaza. A taxi to the main tourist office in Calle Buenos Aires will cost AR$10-12. Agree on the price before leaving the bus terminal and get the meter docket from the driver.


 * Buenos Aires 19 hours, around AR$400 (Jul 2011).
 * Puerto Iguazú 24 hours, AR$611 (cama, FlechaBus, Jun 2012)
 * La Quiaca 7 hours - (company: Balut (6 each day), FlechaBus and Andesmar AR$150 per person, two a day, one at 07:15, one at 00:30 (Feb 2013)
 * Tucuman 4 hours - AR$120 FlechaBus (Feb 2012)
 * Cafayate 4 hours - AR$75, six per day 06:50, 10:30, 13:00, 17:00, 19:30, 21:00 FlechaBus (Feb 2013)
 * Cordoba 13 hours - AR$188/202 (semi-cama/cama) (Jan 2012) Semi-cama ARS350 (13 hours) Andesmar.
 * Formosa 13 hours advertised but took 16 hours The FlechaBus is semi-cama (sleep in aircraft cattle-class seats), AR$181 (Oct 2009. The bus stops at every town along the road. You will receive a packet of two biscuits on departure and unless you know the system you will not get a chance to buy food on the trip so buy something before boarding the bus. There is a toilet on board and is reasonably clean for the whole journey. The bus departs Formosa at 17:10 daily.
 * Mendoza 18 hours - about AR$2100 semi-cama (December 2017)
 * From Jujuy it's possible to take a combi (shared taxi) for AR$10. Take care. "Combis" are not legal transportation.

By rail
While intercity trains are slowly making a comeback in Argentina, they have not reached Salta yet. Trenes Argentinos operates a limited commuter service from the nearby city of General Güemes and westwards to Campo Quijano via Rosario de Lerma.



Get around
Taxis are available. Remis are not cheaper.

SAETA offers bus service; as of Jan 2019, fares are about AR$15, varying slightly by time of day. A transit card is required for the buses, but if you don't have one, you can just get on and ask another passenger if you can give them the cash and swipe their card. This is common in Salta and the driver and passengers will be unfazed. Unlike many cities in Argentina, SUBE cards do not work here.







See



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Do

 * Horse Riding: It can last from a couple of hours to several days. There are several options which include snacks, accommodation in country houses or camps, and typical foods. This service was created to show you the real “Gaucho” life.
 * Cycling: Bicycle rides around the city or through a mountain track, perfectly designed for adventurers.
 * Motorcycling: Motorcycle rides with several option according to each particular need, always in the company of a qualified guide for each ride. It is an international high-quality product that brings together two passions: motorcycling and sightseeing.
 * Trekking: There are several options: short strolls around our bordering mountains or several days in the region, with different degrees of difficulty.
 * Mountain climbing: The region offers a great variety of mountains and volcanoes with elevations between 3,500 and 6,740 m). Require previous experience, equipment, and logistics.

Buy
There are several travel agencies that can help you with your trip around the region. They are about 4 to 5 blocks south of the main square, around Buenos Aires Road. Tours usually last all day from 07:00-21:00 and stop at a restaurant for lunch. Depending on the itinerary, they cost AR$1000-2000 with discounts for two or three day combinations. Shop around as prices differ considerably between operators, even if they are actually consolidated into the same tour. Tours are sold as bilingual (Spanish and English) although some guides will drift towards Spanish especially if most of the participants are fluent.



Drink
Nightlife is centred on the north end of Balcarce St, in the train station zone.

The local beer "Salta" is comparable in quality to other Argentine beers and is similarly priced. A 1-L bottle at a restaurant on Plaza 9 de Julio will set you back AR$13-15 and you will get a small serving of chips and or peanuts.

A bottle of local whisky at a supermarket will cost about AR$25 and is equal to reasonable Scotch whisky. All Scotch whisky is cheap at the supermercado.

Consulates

 * 🇧🇴 Bolivia

Go next
Salta is the base for many great trips throughout the province. There are plenty tour agencies offering excursions in the region. Especially good are the 4WD trips to the beautiful Valles Calchaquíes, as well as rafting trips to the Río Juramento.

San Lorenzo This is a charming town approx 20 minutes outside Salta. It has lots of accommodation, restaurants and its own attractions. Well worth a look if you only have a day, or even better, stay there and enjoy the wonderful hospitality only a small town can offer. Bus 7E goes there.