16 Things To Do in Humahuaca: The Best Town in Jujuy, Argentina

Situated in Quebrada de Humahuaca, a small, unassuming town awaits. Home to Argentina’s Rainbow Mountain, Humahuaca is one of the hidden gems in Northern Jujuy, Argentina.

Sitting at 9,882 ft (3,012 m) above sea level, from hiking to stunning arid desert landscapes that’ll make you feel like you’re in a Wild West movie, there are seemingly endless things to do in Humahuaca.

The valley Humahuaca sits, Quebrada de Humahuaca, has been populated by humans for over 10,000 years. We spent several days exploring the region, and to say it’s a wonderful place would be a severe understatement.

Today, with a little over 10,000 residents, Humahuaca is seemingly off the mainstream tourist radar, which will make you feel like you’ve stumble onto something so perfectly authentic you’ll be so grateful you made the several-hour drive to get here.

From where to eat, where to sleep, and the best things to do not only in the town of Humahuaca but the Quebrada de Humahuaca valley, we have your ultimate travel guide to place the perfect itinerary to Humahuaca.

Things To Do in Humahuaca

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Where is Humahuaca?

Humahuaca is a small town in Jujuy, the northwesternmost province in Argentina that borders Bolivia and Chile.

Situated in Quebrada de Humahuaca, a narrow mountain valley, Humahuaca is surrounded by sprawling desert landscapes, cactus-filled hillsides, colorful mountains, and dramatic vistas.

It’s stunning.

And while there are other towns found in Quebrada de Humahuaca, Humahuaca is the leader of the pack.

Home to Argentina’s Rainbow Mountain, hiking trails, and a quaint little town square, visiting Humahuaca is one of THE best things you can do in Jujuy, Argentina.

Check out our travel guide and 2 week itinerary to Argentina!

How To Get To Humahuaca?

When planning how you are going to get to Humahuaca, there are typically two main places most people start their journey from – Jujuy or Salta.

Both have airports that have flights from popular cities like Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Iguazu Falls.

However, you’ll find more direct flight options if you fly into Salta vs. Jujuy. And while you have more flight options into Salta, you’re also a little further from Humahuaca that Jujuy is 🙂

Jujuy To Humahuaca

If you are flying into Jujuy, you’ll be flying into Gobernador Horacio Guzmán International Airport, which is a little over 2 hours from Humahuaca.

Once you land in Jujuy, you’ll need to rent a car or book a bus to take you the rest of the way to Humahuaca.

It’s recommended you reserve a rental car and book a bus ticket ahead of time.

Oh, and be sure to look at bus tickets ahead of time to be sure there is a day/timeslot that works for your itinerary.

PRO TIP: Busbud is a great site where you can reserve and buy your bus tickets for your bus travel throughout Argentina!

Salta to Humahuaca

The option we did! We flew into Salta’s airport, Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport, from Mendoza and picked up a rental car.

We did a little road trip in Northern Argentina, heading to Cafayate before making our way north to Humahuaca.

If you have the time, we highly, highly, HIGHLY suggest renting a car and visiting Cafayate and Humahuaca.

If you don’t have the time to add Cafayate to your list, no worries! From Salta, you can rent a car or book a bus to take you the 3 hours and 45 minutes north to Humahuaca.

PRO TIP: We found driving in Argentina easy and straightforward, especially in Northern Argentina. Just make sure you know how to drive a stick shift! If not, be sure you specifify you need a manual vehicle when making your reservation!

Alternatively, there are several tours that depart from Salta. If you’d like to take a day trip to Humahuaca from Salta, that is an option.

While you won’t spend all day in Humahuaca, each of the below tours will take you to some of the best sights and towns in the Quebrada de Humahuaca valley.

Best Time To Visit Humahuaca

Humahuaca can be visited all year round, being the best time of the year is considered to be the spring (Septmeber – November) or autumn (March – May).

However, our trip to Argentina did not line up with their spring and autumn, causing us to visit Humahuaca in their summer, January. While you can experience some rain, our days were great!

If you come in late February, you’ll experience Carnival in Humahuaca! Lasting 8 days, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in Northern Argentina folklore and culture!

PRO TIP: We visited during Argentina’s summer, and in the evenings, it got chilly. When planning your trip to Humahuaca, be sure to pack something warm like a jacket, a few long-sleeved shirts, and pants.

How Many Days Do You Need in Humahuaca?

Now, if you just want to see Humahuaca (the town) and not explore the surrounding areas (hiking trails, nearby towns, etc.), one day here (2 nights, 1 day) is totally fine.

However, given it takes a bit to get here (several hour drive), and that there are other wonderful nearby places to explore, we recommend you allocate 2-3 FULL days here.

Alternatively, 4-5 days are optimal to experience as much of the area as possible and most, if not all, of this list. But if you don’t have 4-5 days to spare, 2-3 will be just fine 🙂

We spent 2 days in Humahuaca, and we definitely could have spent a third exploring more of Quebrada de Humahuaca (the valley Humahuaca is in).

Read 15 Things To Know Before Visiting Argentina!

Where To Stay in Humahuaca

Even though Humahuaca is a smaller town, there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from when looking for places to stay in Humahuaca.

You won’t find any 5-star accommodations in Humahuaca, but places like La Chakana Humahuaca, Tikay Humahuaca, Cabaña Kenty Wasy, Hotel Boutique Urku Wasi, and Cielo Arriba Casa offer comfortable and authentic stays in the high-elevation town of Humahuaca.

And for those looking for a hostel stay, Buena Vista Hostel and Giramundo Hostel are also wonderful places to call home while in Humahuaca.

Finally, if you’re feeling adventurous, Camping El Rincón Del Olvido Humahuaca or Camping la Carolina Humahuaca are campgrounds in Humahuaca for those looking to tent camp or park their RV for the night.

Things To Do in Humahuaca (+ Map!)

To tackle the full list of things to do in Humahuaca that we discuss below, you’re definitely going to need a full 3-5 days. However, if you only have a one to two-day Humahuaca itinerary, no worries, you can knock out many of these!

Use the + and – signs on the interactive map to see where each location is within Humahuaca and Quebrada de Humahuaca.

1. Drive The Scenic Quebrada de Humahuaca

One of the first things you’ll do is actually on your way to Humahuaca!

Whether you have a rental car or are taking the bus, you’ll drive along Ruta 9 (Ruta Nacional 9), a 1,222 mi (1,967 km) road that starts in Buenos Aires and ends at the border of Argentina and Bolivia at Horacio Guzmán International Bridge.

The portion of Ruta 9 that passes through Jujuy winds through Quebrada de Humahuaca, a scenic 96 mi (155 km) valley flanked by mountains and plateaus that follow the Grande de Jujuy river.

The road goes from lush to arid, with the views seemingly getting better around every turn the closer you get to Humahuaca!

The valley has been populated for at least 10,000 years, seeing the likes of the prehistoric hunter/gatherers, pre-Hispanic towns and villages, and the Incan empire. So while it’s beautiful, it’s also full of history!

For another scenic Argentina drive, read about driving from Salta to Cafayate on Rute 68!

2. Take a Stroll Around Plaza 25 de Mayo

Once you arrive in Humahuaca, the town’s heartbeat is the main square, Plaza 25 de Mayo, making it the perfect first stop.

The square is surrounded by quant buildings set on cobblestone streets where you’ll find vendors selling trinkets and, if you’re lucky, a guitarist strumming a tune.

San Francisco Solano Chruch and Iglesia de la Candelaria are two Spanish colonial-style churches along the square. Iglesia de la Candelaria, built in 1631, is the oldest building in the town, making it well worth the visit.

Oh, and if you are around at noon, look up at San Francisco Solano Chruch’s clock tower to see a mechanical Saint San Francisco come out and strike the clock.

3. Take in The Views From Monumento a Los Héroes De La Independencia

Just off Plaza 25 De Mayo and up a few flights of stone steps is Monumento a Los Héroes De La Independencia, a monument dedicated to those who fought in the National Independence War.

The massive monument offers great views of the sprawling valley Humahuaca sits in. Oh, and in the evenings, you can expect to find vendors selling food, and locals enjoy their Yerba Mates on its steps.

If you want another viewpoint, take a set of stairs to your left (if you are looking at the monument), and you’ll end up at Torre de Santa Bárbara. A small stone tower that offers a different view of the charming town of Humahuaca below.

4. Hike The Inca Cueva or Peñas Blancas

For those looking to adventure out on a hike while visiting Humahuaca, you have two great hikes to choose from.

1. Peñas Blancas: A 3-mile loop trail located in the town of Humahuaca. Taking 25-30 minutes (walking) to reach the trailhead from Plaza 25 de Mayo, Peñas Blancas (White Rocks) is a wonderful, easy hike with nice town views, colorful mountains, and a great place to watch the sunset. Oh, if you come for sunset, make sure you have a headlamp so you can see on your way back to town!
2. Inca Cueva: Requiring a vehicle to get to its trailhead, Inca Cueva (Inca Cave) is a 5-mile out-and-back trail located 35 minutes (driving) from Humahuaca. You’ll travel over dry, rocky river beds, over hills with mountain views, and through canyons until you eventually reach Inca Cueva, an exposed cave with petroglyphs carved by the Inca in its walls. Oh, and if you’re lucky like we were, you’ll encounter loads of llamas and goats along the way!

PRO TIP: Always have an offline trail map downloaded to your phone. Apps like Maps.Me or AllTrails are great apps to use when needing to reference a trail when reception is non-existent.

5. Witness The 14 Colors of Serranía de Hornocal

Without a doubt, THE thing to do in Northern Argentina is see Serranía de Hornocal, the 14-colored mountain in Humahuaca.

Affectionally known as Argentina’s Rainbow Mountain, Serranía de Hornocal is THE reason we ventured to Humahuaca, and sheesh, it fell far from disappointing.

Located 40 minutes up a winding gravel road from the town of Humahuaca, Serranía de Hornocal is stunning! Sitting 14,271 ft (1,450 m) above sea level, the colors of Serranía de Hornocal are not the only thing that will take your breath away.

Costing 500 pesos to get in, you can enjoy the views of Serranía de Hornocal from the parking lot or opt to take the trail through a sage-brush-filled meadow to a rocky overlook to get even closer to Argentina’s Rainbow Mountain.

However you choose to take in her majestic views, one thing is for sure: you CANNOT MISS Serranía de Hornocal when visiting Humahuaca. In fact, if you only do one thing in Humahuaca, make this it.

PRO TIP: Even in Argentina’s summer months, it is cold at Serranía de Hornocal! Make sure you have a jacket, hat, and gloves packed when you visit, especially if you are going near sunset!

6. Attend a Peña at Aisito

Outside of seeing Serranía de Hornocal, attending a Peña at Aisito was our second favorite thing we did in Humahuaca!

Unique to Northern Argentina, Peña’s are longstanding traditions that comprise of acts. Be it live folk music, dancing, or storytelling, artists express themselves in a friendly atmosphere, often surrounded by delicious food and plenty of drinks.

Aristo is a restaurant in town (a good one at that) that puts on Peña events.

Local musicians and storytellers enter this cozy establishment, where they entertain Aisito’s patrons for hours.

Our nights were spent eating amazing food, dancing around the restaurant, and genuinely enjoying the company and hospitality of Humahuaca.

It was so good, we went to Aisito every night were in Humahuaca!

7. Shop The Vendor Stalls in Plaza Sargento Mariano Gómez

In between Plaza 25 de Mayo and Monumento a Los Héroes De La Independencia is a small little plaza. Lined with blue tarp stalls, vendors sell their local trinkets and handmade goods.

It’s an easy, casual stop that you should most definitely plan to make on your way to Monumento a Los Héroes De La Independencia. Who knows what will catch your eye?

8. Eat Traditional Northern Argentina Food at Pachamanka

No trip to Northern Argentina is complete without sampling the region’s staple foods, and Pachamanka is the place to go if you’re looking for authentic dishes.

Dishes like cheese and quinoa empanadas, llama (yes, llama) filets, locro (a hearty stew), tamales, and humitas can be found on their menu.

The restaurant is cozy, and you’ll always find a crowd. Opt to sit at a table along side the cobblestone street or within their colorful restaurant. Plus, the location can’t be better. It’s almost next door to Aisito and a block away from Plaza 25 de Mayo.

9. Souvenir Shop Down Tucumán

One of the side streets that runs perpendicular, eventually running into Plaza 25 de Mayo, is Tucumán.

A short little street lined with local shops selling hats, llama wool garments, clay cooking dishes, and anything else you may want to see if you have enough room in that carry-on to take home!

10. Buy Sustainably Made Vicuña Wool at Manos Andinas Jujuy

A happy coincidence was this find. While wandering around the town, we stumbled into Manos Andinas Jujuy and fell in love with their high-quality, handmade vicuña wool offerings.

From sweaters to hats and gloves, Manos Andinas Jujuy has a range of patterns and colors for you to choose from.

But let’s back up because we’re sure you’re thinking, “What is a vicuña?”

Well, as two people who just learned this themselves, Vicuña’s are wild mammals found in the Andes Mountains of Peru and Argentina. They’re relatives to the guanaco, llama, and alpaca.

So, if you’re looking for a unique gift from the region, this shop is for you!

11. Wander Through Mercado Municipal de Humahuaca

Jesse and I love visiting a local market when traveling. They tend to be an epicenter of local culture and cuisine so when we can, we make it a point to visit at least one in a new country we visit.

Humahuaca has a very small one and will take you a matter of minutes to walk through, but for those who love a market, Mercado Municipal de Humahuaca is available for those who want to stroll and peruse.

Full transparency, it was a little lackluster (compared to other markets we’ve been to), but for a 5-10 minute walk, it was nice!

12. Witness a Magical Cactus-filled Sunset

We’re suckers for sunsets, and Humahuaca does them right.

Quebrada de Humahuaca, the valley Humahuaca sits in, is packed with cactuses that fill the hillsides. On our way back from Serranía de Hornocal, just before we got into Humahuaca, we found a perfect little hillside perch to watch the sunset from.

Regardless of where you watch a sunset from, just make sure you make a point to catch one.

13. Visit Purmamarca, Tilcara, or Iruya

Humahuaca is not the only town found within Quebrada de Humahuaca. There are other towns that scatter the valley. The most notable towns outside Humahuaca are Tilcara, Iruya, and Purmamarca.

Of the three, Tilcara and Purmamarca are the easiest to get to. In fact, you’ll pass by both of these towns along Ruta 9 before you arrive at Humahuaca.

Tilcara is about 45 minutes south of Humahuaca, whereas Purmamarca is 1 hour south of Humahuaca.

Iruya, on the other hand, is not only the furthest (2.5+ hours one way), but it can be an adventure to get to. The road is unpaved, bumpy, and insanely curvy, winding you down mountainsides and into valleys. But from what we understand, it is well worth the trip!

So what is there to do in these towns?

Purmamarca

Without a doubt, the highlight of Purmamarca is El Cerro de Los Siete Colores (The Hill of 7 Colors). Unlike the 14-colored mountain in Humahuaca, Purmamarca is home to a 7-colored mountain.

You can easily reach the path to see these colored mountains from the center of town. Plan to use the AllTrails app to help get you to its trailhead. But once hiking, you can expect a 1.4 mile loop trail with minimal elevation gain under 400 ft.

As for other things to do in Purmamacra, you can add the following to your list!

• Iglesia Santa Rosa de Lima: A small, unassuming church built in 1648.
• Cementerio de Purmamarca: A pretty cemetery to take a stroll through.
• Mirador Cerro el Porrito: A viewpoint that overlooks the town and gives you views of the 7 colored mountain, El Cerro De Los Siete Colores! It costs 50 pesos to enter.
• Plaza 9 de Julio: From shops and cafes, wander the town square and see what you find!

Tilcara

The main site people venture to Tilcara for is Pucará de Tilcara, a pre-Hispanic fortress (now ruins) that was built in the 12th century. Today, visitors can wander the historical sights, enter the preserved buildings, and get stunning views of the Quebrada de Humahuaca (the valley Tilcara sits in).

As for other things to do in Tilcara, you can add the following to your list if you plan to visit this town!

• Altura Botanical Garden: A small garden with several species of cactuses.
• La Garganta del Diablo: In English, called the Devil’s Throat, is a 1 mile out and back hike that takes trekkers to a waterfall.
• Cerra de la Cruz: A little more than a 0.5-mile hike to a viewpoint that overlooks the town. Perfect for watching the sunset.
• Plaza Alvarez Prado: The main square in Tilcara is a great place to shop or sit on a bench and people-watch.

Iruya

Given how long it takes to get to Iruya, we recommend staying the night in Iruya vs. trying to make this a day trip from Humahuaca.

Iruya is one of the last towns in Argentina you’ll encounter before reaching the Bolivian border.

Once in Iruya, you’ll immediately notice how many fewer tourists there are. And the things to do here are simple: eat, walk the town, and enjoy the scenery.

• Mirador de la Cruz, Mirador del Condor, or Mirador de San Isidro: Climb to these lookouts to take in stunning views and see if you can spot the ever-elusive condor.
• Campo Deportivo: Watch a local football (soccer) game at the hometown “arena.” And if you dare, see if you can join in!
• Plaza La Tablada: Wander the town square and see what tasty meal or shop you can find down one of its side roads.

PRO TIP: When we were in Humahuaca, the road to Iruya was closed due to elevated river levels, making a trip to the town impossible. Before making the trip further north to Iruya, check with someone in Humahuaca to ensure the roads are open and accessible.

14. Take a Day Trip To the Salt Flats, Salinas Grandes

Known as one of the seven natural wonders in Argentina, the Salinas Grandes stretch some 82 square miles (212 km2) over the Salta and Jujuy provinces.

Standing at 11,320 feet (3,450 m) in elevation, one of the best parts about visiting these Argentina salt flats is that they are FREE! Plan to spend no less than one hour here walking the salt flats or take a bike tour across them!

The best time to visit is sunrise or sunset when you can capture the depth and colors of this beautiful place.

Salinas Grandes is located about 2 hours from Humahuaca. Whereas, the closest town to the Salinas Grandes is Purmamarca. So, if you feel up for it, you can tack Salinas Grandes onto your visit to Purmamarca.

However, Salinas Grandas is still over an hour away from Purmamarca. So while it does take little effort to get to, it’s an amazing place in Northern Argentina to see!

15. Visit a Jujuy Argentina Winery

If you are not able to make it to Mendoza or Cafayate to sample some of Argentina’s renowned wines, you have a chance to do so while in Humahuaca!

You have a few wineries (Bodega, as they’re called) to choose from. All require a little drive to get to, but if you have a rental car or can flag down a taxi in town, we’re told they’re well worth the visit!

• Bodegas Viñas del Perchel: Located 30 minutes south of Humahuaca
• Bodegas Dupont: Located 50 minutes south of Humahuaca
• Bodega Kindgard: Located a little less than 1 hour south of Humahuaca

16. Explore Humahuaca & It’s Street Art

Finally, just make the time to wander through Humahuaca. It can be a little gritty-looking from the road, but once you’re within the town, we hope you’ll feel the same way we did, pleasantly surprised and kinda in love!

Its cobblestone streets, churches, markets, and street art scattered about its buildings, and its VERY kind residents made us feel like stumbled into a town that feels too good to be true.

Make the time to wander and just enjoy it. Life moves slowly here, so be sure to follow suit and enjoy. Oh, and see how much street art you can find! There are so many wonderful pieces to find.

Best Places To Eat in Humahuaca

Outside of Pachamanka and Aisito, which we discussed above, there are a few other restaurants in Humahuaca that serve amazing food.

Oh! And getting a tortillas rellenas (cheese stuffed tortilla), from a street vendor is must! Not to mention eating as many empanadas as you can!

• Las Glorias Gastro Bar: One of the best deep-fried empanadas (cheese and potatoes) we had in Northern Argentina!
• La Abuela Teo: A cozy restaurant that serves up lama Milanese, fried meat empanadas, very tasty desserts, and much more!
• La Felipa: From empanadas, tamales, and humita’s La Felipa serves us regional delicacies.
• La Casona: Great little cafe that serves up nice coffee.

Want More Information on Argentina!?

13 Things To Do in Cafayate

How to Spend 2 Weeks in Argentina

15 Things To Know Before Visiting Argentina

How To Spend 3 Days In Mendoza

An Itinerary For Three Days in Buenos Aires

Your Guide to Driving Scenic Quebrada De Las Conchas

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For more travel tips, guides, and awesome travel shots, be sure to poke around our site and follow us on Instagram @wanderingstus, Pinterest, and Facebook. Oh, if you have any questions, let us know in the comment section. We’re happy to answer. Or, leave us a positive note!

Happy Travels,

– Lauren & Jesse Stuart (The Stu’s)