Catamarca
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San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, the capital city of the province of Catamarca, located in the northwest region of Argentina is a beautiful mountain city that is surrounded by natural beauty and is truly a hidden gem among the mountains, hills, rivers, and forests in the area, a major tourist attraction in Argentina, especially for nature lovers.
San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, or more commonly know as just Catamarca, is home to 190,000 people, sits 545 m above sea level and is situated in between grand mountains and the Del Valle River. Due to the high mountains and elevation, the weather in Catamarca can change quite drastically over the seasons where the inhabitants can witness a balmy summer of 20 degrees C up to 45 degrees C in the most extreme of moments. In the winter, the climate stays around 5 degrees C, however, on higher mountain peaks, the temperature can drop to a very low -25 degrees C, a bitter cold for this part of Argentina.
Catamarca is a beautiful mountain city that boasts stunning architecture, tree-lined streets, restaurants and outdoor cafes, picturesque houses, a beautiful city plaza called Plaza de Mayo, and a permanent arts and crafts fair right outside of the plaza. From the city, especially from Plaza de Mayo, there is a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains and hills, giving the city a sort of mythical vibe. The colonial architecture in the city is characterized by red roofs, large open entrances, wide windows, and outdoor patios, perfect for the summer months. There are a few great sights to see in the city including the Catedral Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Valle, the church situated in Plaza de Mayo, and the Museo de Arqueologico Adan Quiroga, an archaeological museum that displays pre-colonial pottery, artefacts, mummies, skulls, and more. Catamarca is also known for its yearly festivals like the Fiesta Nacional del Poncho that celebrates the local textile industry and displays ponchos, textiles, blankets, carpets, and more, as well as the Fiesta de Nuestra Senora de Valle, a celebration of popular religion where pilgrims come from around the province to honour the Virgen del Valle.
Catamarca is a real tourism spot in Argentina, having more than 3,500 beds in local hostels, hotels, and other accommodation spots, for visitors to come and enjoy its fantastic natural beauty and wide array of outdoors activities. From the city you can books tours for mountain climbing, hiking, horse back riding, quad excursions, camping, mountain biking, and more. There are also other tours that go out and beyond the city to mountains, rivers, and other archiological spots, such as El Rodeo and Las Juntas, two cute towns that are popular for water sports, as well as Cuesta El Portezuelo, a road that takes you high up for stunning views of the valley below. Or if you are willing to venture even a little further, the highway 41 features a series of 19th century chapels along the Rio Valle that lead to the Las Pirquitas dam, where a huge lakes is used for fishing and a myriad of water sports.
Catamarca is truly a beautiful city to visit in Argentina whether you enjoy the tranquility of a mountain side town, spectacular natural beauty, outdoor sports, or discovering the history, culture, and people of an ancient yet perfectly preserved area.
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