Ojo de Agua
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Ojo de Agua, Santiago del Estero
An old little town situated south of the capital city of Santiago del Estero, Ojo de Agua was originally established in the 16th century. Originally established as a simple estancia, it later became an outlook post, and continued to grow until it was converted into a village. In 1884, it was officially named Villa Ojo de Agua.
Its surroundings are what bring visitors to the tiny town and its surrounding department of the same name. The agreeable climate has made for rich surroundings, thick with vegetation, and valleys and canyons that contribute to the area’s now-popular sporting and cultural activities.
Well prepared for tourism, the area has many different options for accommodation, supported by great food options, featuring many of the local dishes. In fact, the city is well known regionally for its culinary excellence. Local offerings include chivitos, lechones, empanadas criollas and árabes, as well as a variety of desserts and sweets.
As there is so much local focus on food and culinary development, the surrounding economies are centered around the production of various foods, including raising cows, pigs, and other animals, as well as the production of a variety of regional fruits and vegetables. Mining is the other main industry, although to a lesser extent.
Leatherwork is another important part of the culture, and the economy. The area is known for its exceptional handicrafts, many of which are made from leather, and all of which represent the culture and heritage of the area.
The majority of the tourist activities in this area are either aquatic or otherwise in the open air. The beauty of the area is the main attraction, and is sure to capture the heart of any visitor.
Just five kilometers outside of Ojo de Agua is the Cantamampa stream, which runs tranquilly through the rocks, giver color and life to the hills that paint the countryside. It also brings life to the abundant vegetation, which in turn helps provide a break from the heat to the small town. Here, you can also find ancient rock paintings, which give evidence of man’s passing through from hundreds of years ago. Other such artwork can be found at various locations in the area surrounding Ojo de Agua.
Arroyo Lascano, another stream, is a lively run of water, but it is still tranquil enough to invite swimmers. It ends at Cisco Suazi, which is known as the Casa de los Pájaros (House of the Birds), for its extraordinary avian life, and beautifully formed hillside. You can also read about the Termas de Rio Ondo in this Argentina travel guide.
If you would like to spend some time within the city, it is recommended to be there for the Festival Nacional del Artesano, where many different local folklore artists come together to sell handicrafts and present different performances honoring local tradition. Even if you miss this great annual event, the city itself is still quite beautiful, and lends itself to being wandered around.
Ojo de Agua is about 200 kilometers from the city of Santiago del Estero, and can be reached by RN 9. There are also a number of busses that regularly go to the