Cafayate is a city in the province of Salta, in northwestern Argentina. Many people come attracted by their famous high-altitude wines and others because they use Cafayate as a base of operations to visit other places in the province, such as Valles Calchaquíes, the city of Cachi, the Quebrada de las Conchas and the Quebrada de las Flechas which are its best known attractions. But you can also go hiking, horseback riding and tasting a Torrontés in the different wineries in the area.
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5 must-see visits in Cafayate
Walking through the city centre
The city of Cafayate is small and you can visit on foot perfectly. If you are with a car, you can leave it in the Plaza de la Catedral. Then visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, it is from the late nineteenth century, you will see that it is very simple on the outside.
In the vicinity of the square you will find picturesque places to have a drink, shops and right in front of the Cathedral is the artisan market.
You can also visit the Museum of Archaeology Calchaquí, is the personal collection of Rodolfo Bravo. He devoted himself to collecting pre-Hispanic pieces in order to learn about the history of the Aboriginal peoples who lived in this area of Salta province.
Visit the artisan markets
When I travel I like to know the traditions, their culture, markets and in Cafayate could not be less. I visited several artisan markets,the most important is the one in front of the cathedral in the city center and there you can buy local crafts of all kinds. The most important is the production of handmade ceramics, but we can also see fabrics, silverware, etc. I’m sure you’re bringing something for home. (prices are in Argentine pesos)
Visit the Vine and Wine Museum
The wine museum is very busy, it’s pretty awesome. Here you will learn how all the elements have their role in making a good wine. You start with the history of wine, as the cultivation began in this area and you will know which are the most cultivated wines at the highest level in the world.
In addition, the visit is entertaining. However, when you leave the museum you have an incredible desire to have a drink of Torrontés, the star wine of the region.
If you want more info this is the museum link: http://www.museodelavidyelvino.gov.ar
Make a wine tasting in a winery
There is a saying in Cafayate that says: “Whoever came to Cafayate and did not drink wine, did not come.” In Spanish it is a pun… came/come= vino and wine= vino…
As I was saying, after visiting the Museum of Vine and Wine of Cafayate, you feel like trying a high wine, a Torrontés or one of the other varieties. For that, what better than to do it in a typical winery? There are many wineries and the prices to make the visit that includes a wine tasting are cheap.
I was in “Vasija Secreta” and “El Porvenir” in Cafayate. But there are many more, in some you have to make a reservation and in others you can go directly, they have visits very often.
Visit a Community Tourism Network
As I said above, I went to Cafayate in March, one of the drawbacks that has to go on these dates are the high odds of rain. For the day we arrived at Cafayate and went to the Community Tourism Network in the Divisadero with the Enrique Terraza family was so glazed, that the route to access was flooded and could not be passed.
Honestly, I was left wanting to live this experience, but anyway I tell you that it is community tourism and perhaps on your next trip you would like to do it too.
Community tourism serves to make a cultural exchange between the traveler and the local people, with responsible tourism and respectful of the different cultures and ways of life.
The main motivation to do this type of tourism is to approach and live the culture of the place you visit in the first person.
This type of tourism is managed by the community of original and peasant villages, in this way they get an extra income from their usual activities and you can live a different experience like working the land, trying the local gastronomy and living their first-hand culture.
Website: http://www.turismocampesino.org/
Where to sleep in Cafayate?
I have to tell you that this hotel, I think, was the best of the whole trip. I stayed in Tolombón, a wine village, very close to Cafayate, the hotel is called Alta Laluna and it is fantastic.
As I told you in the road trip post we made through the Calchaquíes Valleys,the AltaLaLuna Boutique Hotel Resto & Spa is a place to enjoy. It is a colonial-style house surrounded by its own vineyards and nature. It has a beautiful garden to enjoy the good weather, swimming pool and the spa is included in the room rate.
As soon as you arrive at the hotel you realize the treatment that their guests give, very friendly, they accompany you to the room and offer you a glass of their wines to make your stay more enjoyable.
In addition, you can dine there, have a very good restaurant with excellent service and of course you can accompany your dinner with one of their wines.
Honestly, if you get caught by one of those days of torrential rain and you’re in this hotel it becomes much more bearable to get “trapped” in your accommodation.
If you want to stay at this hotel, you have the link to make your reservation.
When to go to Cafayate?
All year round it is good to visit Cafayate, but between December and February the biggest rains of the year are concentrated. I went in March and got a torment that left me all afternoon at the hotel, not that I could complain about hotel, because no, but, the next time I come back, it will be in spring or autumn.
Tell me, do you know Cafayate? And the province of Salta? If they call him Salta la Linda, it’s for a reason. Be sure to visit this beautiful province of Argentina.
*The photo of the room belongs to the Hotel, because the day I arrived I was raining and super gray and my photos are not very nice…
Prepare your trip to Salta
- Itinerary 1 week in Salta province
- What to see in 2 day in the city of Salta
- 1 day in the Train to the Clouds
- 4 days road trip to “Valles Calchaquíes”
Book Your Trip
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel, hotel or apartments on Booking.com.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s your protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using Mondo for years.
Best companies for activities
Check out Civitatis.com and find the best tours in English (French, Spanish and Italian)
Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too! (Is in Spanish yet)
We are not native English speakers but we have decided to translate our post to English so we can share it with the whole world. If you see any spelling mistake or something, please let us know, it is so important to us. If you do so, we can improve our post and also our English knowledge! Thanks in advance!!!
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