Salta

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.

• 🌍 Cabildo Histórico de Salta (on Plaza 9 de Julio). The old town hall of 1783. Now houses the Museo Histórico del Norte. Interesting exhibits showcasing the history of the region from prehistoric times to the mid 20th century. Spanish text only. AR$50. (updated Jan 2020)
• 🌍 Cerro San Bernardo (San Bernardo Hill). 1,458m (above sea level, 258 m above the city) hill just east of the city centre. From Parque San Martin, a cable car goes to the summit, offering spectacular views of the city and its surroundings (AR$2,200 per person return, AR$1,600 one way; prices as of April 2023). Alternatively you can walk up, taking the 1,070 steps leaving from the statue of Güemes a little bit north of the cable car station. Taxis are also an option and should be about AR$10. From the hill the view of the city is great but the bonus is the landscaping which has made it a tranquil setting. A vast water feature has been built with many interesting features. A meal or a beer is available at the top at reasonable rates. A good way to fill in a couple of hours when it is clear. AR$2200 roundtrip, AR$1600 one-way (April 2023).. (updated Apr 2023)
• 🌍 MAAM Museum, Mitre 77 (Plaza 9 de Julio), ☏ +54 387 437 0592, comunicacion@maam.org.ar. Tu-Su 11:00-18:30; guided tours at 12:00 and 18:00. The Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña exhibits the discovery of the three Inca "Llullaillaco Children" found frozen at the peak of Mount Llullaillaco. ARS800 (ARS300 for university students and children under 12) April 2023. (updated Apr 2023)
• 🌍 Iglesia San Francisco, on the corner of Caseros and Córdoba. Beautiful 1796 church with remarkable tower. 
• Museo Antropológico, Avenida Ejército del Norte. Offers a very interesting insight into various indigenous cultures, which have flourished throughout the centuries in this part of Argentina. Free
• 🌍 Pajcha, 20 de Febrero 831 (10 blocks north of the main plaza.), ☏ +54 387 422 9417. A fantastic museum in Salta and definitely worth a look.It is called "Pajcha" and is a collection of traditional art, textiles, icons and jewelry from all over South and Central America. It is fascinating. The enthusiasm is palpable and fantastic learning from a knowledgeable source. They know everything because they had personally collected everything in the museum. Permanently closed. (updated Jan 2023)
• 🌍 Museo El Tribuno Guillermo Pajarito Velarde, Pueyrredon 106, ☏ +54 387 421-2921, museopajaritovelarde@yahoo.com.ar. M-F 10:00-14:00, 15:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-14:00. Wonderful small house-museum that is a tribute to Velarde (1895-1965), who was a lawyer and banker, but more important a Bohemian patron of arts, especially tango, when it was still not accepted by society in Salta. The guide does a great job of presenting the colorful tales. She only speaks Spanish, but if you do not understand Spanish, she will just ask one of the other guests to translate to English. AR$5. 

• 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.
• 🌍 Tren a las Nubes (Train to the clouds). April–November: W Sa, extra services during the high season (Easter & winter holiday). As the name tells, it is a day trip by train up in the mountains to La Povorilla at 4,220 m over the sea level. Book by phone (0800-888-NUBES), online, or a couple of days before at any city excursion office. The trip takes a whole day, leaving Salta at 07:15 and returning between 23:00 and 00:00. The dining car on the train and the bar car are a bit expensive but you are allowed to bring your own food. A breakfast and afternoon snack is included. Coca leaf tea helps prevent altitude sickness and coca leaves are provided by the train staff. There are nurses on board and oxygen for those who suffer ill effects from the altitude. The trip is long and the seats are somewhat cramped for leg space but generally the services and staff are excellent. The experience is fantastic as the scenery is rugged and variable with a feast for the eyes at every turn. The engineering of the track was a masterpiece in its day and continues to impress decades later. US$70 (US$90 during high season. (updated Oct 2023)

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.

• Balcarce Arts and Crafts Fair. Each Sunday the main nightclubbing street, Balcarce, is closed to traffic all day for a very good arts and crafts fair featuring the work of local artists and craftsmen of all types. 
• 🌍 El Rincon del Carpincho, Alvarado 556. A very small craft shop a little away from the main tourist area but the prices are significantly lower than the prices you will pay around Plaza 9 de Julio. Hand crafted leather and knives as well as leather goods. 

• El Buen Gusto Empanadas, O'Higgins St 575, ☏ +54 387-4214861. Go very local with this hidden gem for empanadas. A very traditional small, simple restaurant, that offers the best empanadas in Salta. You should call in advance to order the food (before 21:00) since they cook a limited number of empanadas. 
• La Céfira, 481 Cordoba. They serve very nice pastas and sauces. Good value for the price. 
• By Doña Lola. Traditional Salteñan food in a very nicely restored old house which also contains a small museum of local artifacts. 
• 🌍 Doña Salta, Córdoba 46 (2 min walk from Plaza 9 de Julio), ☏ +54 387 432-1921. The meat and wine are top-shelf. Excellent service and a Spanish ambiance. (updated May 2016)
• 🌍 El Palacio Pizza y Empanadas, 117 Caseros. The cheesy sign above the entrance should come down, this place is well above the standard of that nasty sign. The only thing missing is the view of rolling greens hills from the windows, as you are served this wonderful Argentinian food. Two flavorful Saltinian empanadas, a litre of Salta's finest beer, a basket full of fresh bread, tin full of olive oil, a slightly overdone veal steak, gorgeous green salad, AR$47. Fabuloso. 
• 🌍 El Solar del Convento, Caseros 444 (Half a block east of the main square), ☏ +54 9 387 431-0092. Serves champagne while you choose from the menu. Inexpensive yet elegant dining with excellent steaks and wines. (updated May 2016)
• Viejo Jack I Parrilla, Av Virrey Toledo 145, ☏ +54 387 421-5532. Incredible food, low prices, and friendly service. Portions are huge: main (meat) courses are designed to shared. Try the picana, you won't be sorry. 
• 🌍 Fili Helados, General Güemes 297 ((Av. Sarmiento y Gral. Guemes)), ☏ +54 387 422-3355. Delicious ice cream, sorbet, and other frozen treats. (updated Nov 2017)
• Cafe Van Gogh, Espana 502 (northeast corner of the main square, 20 m from the church), ☏ +54 337 1401 575. Americano breakfast with coffee, scrambled eggs with cheese, toasts, croissants, ham, juice and fruit salad for only AR$120; or a 3-course menu of the day plus a soft drink for AR$180. Open everyday, good service. Their Wifi is faster than your hostel's. (updated May 2018)

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.

• 🌍 5asec laundry, Mitre 401, ☏ +54 387 4217474. M–Sa 08:00–22:00, Su 09:00–21:00. Centrally located dry cleaning place that will wash a load of clothes for you. Same-day service if you bring it early. AR$175 for a load. (updated Nov 2017)

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.