Things to do in Catamarca
And where to stay, the best time to visit, what a day costs, and the traps to skip.
Best time to visit Catamarca
• a note or something on ✦ an occasion worth the trip
Autumn is a best window, with the April Virgen feast, mild days and the summer rains ended.
Spring is the other best window, warm and dry, with October busy but not overwhelmed.
Winter is dry and cool with clear driving light. July brings the Poncho festival and peak bookings.
Summer is hot, with highs in the mid 30s and heatwaves. Sightsee at the ends of the day and head for Ambato.
December adds the 8 December Virgen feast to the heat, so beds vanish and streets close for processions.
What's on
- Fiesta Nacional e Internacional del Poncho Usually mid to late July, about ten days
Ten days of artisan markets, folklore music and regional food at the Predio Ferial, Argentina's biggest winter festival.
- Fiestas de la Virgen del Valle Second Sunday after Easter
The April pilgrimage closes with the bajada of the image and a huge procession through the centre.
- Fiestas de la Virgen del Valle 8 December
The December pilgrimage for the Immaculate Conception, with the bajada on 29 November and a closing procession.
Best things to do in Catamarca
Catedral Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Valle
The pilgrimage cathedral holding the tiny Virgen del Valle image, with the Camarin behind the main altar.
Museo de la Virgen del Valle
A small free museum of crowns, mantles and procession history that explains the devotion in the cathedral.
Gruta de la Virgen del Valle
The grotto sanctuary in Choya where tradition places the finding of the Virgen image, about 7 km from the centre.
Museo Arqueológico Adán Quiroga
One of the northwest's key archaeological collections, with Aguada, Cienaga and Santa Maria pieces over millennia.
Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco
The Franciscan church holding the heart of Fray Mamerto Esquiu, quieter than the cathedral and rich in history.
Casa Caravati - Museo de la Ciudad - Museo de Arte Contemporáneo
Architect Luis Caravati's own house, now the city museum, with period rooms, a courtyard and rotating exhibitions.
Pueblo Perdido de la Quebrada
Aguada culture stone ruins on a dry hillside 5 km from the plaza, best read with its interpretation centre first.
Fábrica de Alfombras y Tapices Artesanales
A working provincial factory where visitors watch huge hand looms weave Catamarca carpets and tapestries.
Where to stay in Catamarca
Centro
first trip, all round base
The cathedral, museums and most restaurants are within a ten minute walk, with lit streets and taxis.
La Alameda
quieter local feel
Leafy and residential west of the plaza, with the Alameda evening walk and the road to El Jumeal.
Think twice about
- Ruta 38 outskirts and far southern fringe
Poorly lit, empty after siesta and without restaurants on foot. Sleep in the centro and taxi out instead.
- El Rodeo as a main base without a car
A mountain summer village 39 km away. Wonderful for a night or two, impractical for sightseeing the capital.
Best restaurants in Catamarca
La Guada Parrilla Restaurante
The consensus occasion parrilla in a restored old house, known for empanadas and costillar from the grill.
Golden Restaurante
The formal hotel dining room for a quiet, air conditioned Argentine and international dinner in the centro.
La Cueva del Santo
A long standing Spanish leaning restaurant with a characterful cave like room and a loyal local following.
Sopra Tutto Trattoria
The Italian trattoria locals use for handmade pasta and pizza on the night nobody wants more grilled meat.
Caravati Café + Restó
Cafe food and coffee inside Caravati's own house museum, with all day hours that bridge the siesta.
Antaño Café + Restó
A modern, family friendly cafe resto that works for late breakfast, lunch, merienda and a light dinner.
Casa Vieja Peña Bar
An old house pena bar serving parrillada, humita and empanadas with live folklore until late at weekends.
Betos Lomitos
The local temple of the lomito steak sandwich, with generous fries and fast counter service at cheap prices.
Outdoor things to do in Catamarca
Cuesta del Portezuelo
The famous switchback road climbing the Ancasti range, with the valley view widening at every one of its curves.
Dique El Jumeal
The city reservoir with kayaking, a zip line and sunset viewpoints, about 4 km from the plaza.
El Rodeo
A green summer village 39 km up in the Ambato range, with clear rivers, bathing pools, riding and cool nights.
Las Juntas
A quieter river village about 50 km from the capital, with natural pools where several Ambato streams meet.
Dique Las Pirquitas
The province's largest reservoir behind an unusual no cement stone dam, paired with Esquiu's birthplace nearby.
Cerro El Manchao
The 4570 metre summit above El Rodeo, a serious guided climb with shorter condor country treks below it.
Campo de Piedra Pómez
A vast wind sculpted white pumice field in the high Puna, reached as a multi day expedition via Antofagasta.
Balcón del Pissis
A 4550 metre viewpoint over coloured high lagoons and 6000 metre volcanoes, a full day 4x4 trip from Fiambala.
Best hotels in Catamarca
Hotel Casino Catamarca
The city's top hotel, with large rooms, a spa, a pool and a regional restaurant in the heart of the centro.
Amérian Catamarca Park Hotel
The reliable chain hotel near the cathedral, with praised staff, an outdoor pool and a formal restaurant.
H1 Apartments Hotel
Apartment hotel with living space, strong air conditioning and breakfast in the room, ideal for longer stays.
Grand Hotel de Catamarca
A classic, honest three star near La Alameda, with 24 hour reception and heart of the city value.
Hotel Arenales
A simple, well run budget hotel about 150 metres from the cathedral, with parking, wifi and pools.
Puna Hostel
A big, sociable hostel with dorms, privates and several kitchens, used mainly by Argentine travellers.
Is Catamarca expensive? What a day costs
| Budget | ARS 55,000 a person |
|---|---|
| Classic | ARS 120,000 a person |
| Splurge | ARS 260,000 a person |
A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room
What to book ahead
- Cerro El Manchao: a few days ahead
- Campo de Piedra Pómez: weeks ahead
- Balcón del Pissis: weeks ahead
- Hotel Casino Catamarca: a few days ahead
- Amérian Catamarca Park Hotel: a few days ahead
- H1 Apartments Hotel: a few days ahead
- Puna Hostel: a few days ahead
- La Guada Parrilla Restaurante: a few days ahead
- Book weeks ahead for the Poncho festival in July and for the Virgen del Valle feasts in April and December.
- Book El Rodeo and Las Juntas village stays ahead for summer weekends, and Manchao guides and any 4x4 programme days ahead.
- Book La Guada for a weekend dinner.
Is Catamarca safe?
- Do not walk alone on dark, empty streets late at night, and keep valuables out of a parked car.
- Ambato rivers at El Rodeo and Las Juntas can rise fast in summer storms. Swim in recognised pools and heed local advice.
- Drive the Portezuelo and Route 4 in daylight and slowly. Emergency number in Argentina is 911.
Catamarca travel tips: tourist traps to skip
- Any itinerary selling Piedra Pomez or the Balcon del Pissis as a day trip from the capital is a trap. Both need their own bases.
- Do not count on lunch at the Portezuelo summit hosteria, whose opening is intermittent.
- During the feasts, check poncho and carpet fibre and making before buying near the cathedral or fairground.
Getting around Catamarca: public transport and more
- Walk the flat centro grid. The cathedral, San Francisco and the main museums are minutes apart.
- Use remises for the Gruta, the carpet factory and El Jumeal, and rent a car for El Rodeo, Las Juntas and Las Pirquitas.
- The airport is about 15 km from the centre. Take a remise or a pre booked transfer.
Who Catamarca suits
| Solo travellers | Good |
|---|---|
| Groups of friends | Good |
| Couples | Good |
| Bachelor parties | OK |
| Families | Good |
| Bachelorette parties | OK |
Make Catamarca your trip
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