What to do in Jujuy, Argentina and Tips and Tricks for Visiting Tilcara as a Family
Jujuy, Argentina is in the northwest part of the country, and it’s definitely a bit more off the beaten path. The town is called San Salvador de Jujuy, but most people refer to “Jujuy” as the entire region surrounding the city.
The main attractions in Jujuy, Argentina include admiring the gorgeous landscape of multicolored desert mountains, the indigenous culture, and the “Salinas Grandes” salt flats.
Before traveling to Jujuy (when we were in Buenos Aires and Iguazu), every Argentinian that we talked to raved about Jujuy. And now we see why.
We found the ability to be outside in wide open spaces, the laid back markets and towns, and the slow pace of life of Jujuy to be perfect for traveling with young kids. After a week of fast-paced “go go go” of Buenos Aires and even Iguazu, Jujuy and Tilcara was just what our family needed!
If you're headed to Iguazu Falls on your family trip to Argentina, make sure to check out this travel guide and itinerary for Iguazu Falls.
Is Jujuy, Argentina safe?
Okay, let’s start here. I was a little nervous traveling to Tilcara and Jujuy as a solo mother with two young children. There isn’t a ton of information about the area online. And I’m usually one to overprepare and overplan. But it just wasn’t possible for this trip! That, to me, was a bit unsettling.
But once I arrived, I easily relaxed into the area. I felt incredibly safe, even as a solo female traveling with kids. The locals are welcoming and very used to seeing tourists. But I never felt taken advantage of like in other tourist areas in the world.
Although petty theft does occur, it is rare. You don’t need to be concerned with pushy vendors, and you can expect to easily stroll down the streets of the small towns.
The main safety aspect I was warned about was driving at night. And that’s because animals will wander onto the roads at night, and it can become dangerous driving. I saw a number of dead dogs on the side of the road during the day, and I even passed by a horse that had been involved in a roadkill incident.
And if you go off the major roads, especially in the rainy season, road conditions can be a bit rough. Without cell service outside of the towns, this could potentially create some unsafe circumstances. That being said, I never needed to go off the main roads for what we did as a family with kids traveling in Jujuy.
According to this website for solo female travelers, Tilcara is the #3 safest part of Argentina. It’s only behind Ushuaia and Iguazu… Buenos Aires is all the way down at #13 for some perspective!
Don’t let the remoteness and rawness of the region deter you from visiting Jujuy and Tilcara. It’s a beautiful and magical place.
If you're looking for another safe place to visit in Argentina with kids, do not pass up the opportunity to visit Iguazu Falls! Check out all my tips and recommendations for visiting Iguazu Falls in this article.
What to do in Jujuy, Argentina
The region of Jujuy is huge. A lot of people make a roadtrip out of it in order to more easily see the entire area. We chose to base ourselves in Tilcara because being able to unpack and have a “home” for a few nights with the kids with the same beds for a few nights is always easier.
Because of its size, I’ve broken down what to do in Jujuy, Argentina by the towns in the area and what there is to do in each of the towns.
Especially with kids, you will not be able to do everything! I was a bit overly ambitious in my planning of our Jujuy visit.
Some places require a long, windy road that motion-sick prone kids won’t be too keen on. And some hikes may be a bit long and tedious for kids that just want to play at the play structure back at your accommodation. And some tours are only available in Spanish. So when only I speak basic Spanish (and have to simultaneously listen and translate for my kids), this is overwhelming to me and boring for the kids.
I definitely dropped a lot of plans once we arrived. Instead, we settled in, slowed down, and just enjoyed the incredible nature that was surrounding us everywhere. I encourage you to do the same. Jujuy is less about doing things, and more about just being there and enjoying.
I had an eSIM from Holafly with unlimited data. Even in Jujuy, Argentina I had amazing service in all the towns. Check them out here.
What to do in Tilcara - Jujuy, Argentina
Caravana de Llamas
Meeting the llamas and taking a little walk with them was one of our favorite activities in Tilcara and Jujuy overall!
With just adults, you can go for a whole hike or trek with the llamas. This would have been a fun activity, but it isn’t available for young kids.
So an alternative activity they have is a 45-60 minute visit with the llamas. At the beginning, the guide explains the history of llamas (in both English and Spanish). Like, did you know that llamas originated in the Rocky Mountains? I sure didn’t.
After that, your family is assigned a llama. We got Eva, who was mother to a 25 day old llama, Argentino. Then, everyone in the group leads their llama on a walk together. My kids loved it, and even my youngest got into saying, “Vamos vamos vamos” to encourage Eva along. Plus, there were gorgeous views along the way.
Tours occur at 11am and 4pm, and you need to book your visit ahead of time. Contact them via WhatsApp a few days before you’d like to visit. I tried contacting them months in advance, and never received a response. But when I contacted them once I had arrived in Jujuy, I received a response and was able to book our visit.
If you pay online ahead of time, you can pay with a credit card. But if you’re paying in person, you will need to pay in cash. When we visited in June 2025, the cost was 19k pesos per person.
To get there, it’s a bit of a tiny, rough dirt road. Nothing scary, but you’ll need to take it slow. And you may start to question if you’re even going the right way. If you’re following Google Maps, you are. Just keep going.
Find more information on the Caravana de Llamas website.
Shop for Produce and Souvenirs in Town
We were staying at an accommodation with a kitchen, so when we arrived, we needed to stock up on some grocery items. For produce, it’s best to head to the main market, “Mercado Municipal de Tilcara”. There, you’ll find anything from potatoes to avocados to olive oil and spices.
A select few vendors accept credit cards, but it’s best to come with cash. Because even when I did pay with a credit card, the machine had trouble working and it almost wasn’t an option.
For additional grocery items, there is a small supermarket in town. There, you’ll be able to find things like coffee (which is surprisingly hard to find since Argentina is so mate focused!), wine, and even frozen veggie burgers. The supermarket accepts credit cards with no problem.
For souvenirs, head to the town square just across the street from the municipal market. There, we purchased some slippers (it’s cold on winter mornings in the desert!) and small dolls for my girls. You can also find your typical souvenirs of the area like blankets, jewelry, stuffed animals, mate mugs, magnets, keychains, etc.
Pucará Ruins
The Pucará was a pre-Incan fortress that protected the surrounding land. When you visit, you can see remnants of the old structures and how people used to live. You’ll see llama corrals, homes, and ancient ceremonial areas. All with a stunning mountainous backdrop, of course.
Kids can imagine what life would have been like, as well as admire the enormous cacti that are found on site.
Guided tours are in Spanish only, and you’ll need to reserve your ticket ahead of time at this website. Alternatively, you can explore Pucará on your own and pay the entrance fee upon arrival.
Altura Botanical Gardens
Speaking of cacti, for a relaxing experience, you could head to the Altura Botanical Gardens in Tilcara. To be honest, we didn’t go. We had cacti and other native flora right in the backyard of our accommodation. So I didn’t feel like paying money for my kids to be bored.
But if you’re staying in town and haven’t seen some of the giant cacti, or if you’re really into native plants, or if you just want an easy walk in nature, it could be worth a visit!
One of the many cacti in our backyard in Tilcara - like our own botanical garden!
Garganta del Diablo Waterfall and Hike
You can walk to the entrance to Garganta del Diablo from town, but expect it to take a good portion of your day. Alternatively, you can drive up a windy road 20-30 minutes to the entrance, park, and spend a half hour to an hour exploring the trail and falls.
With kids, I’d recommend the latter option. It’s a small waterfall. Especially if you’ve come from Iguazu like we had. But it’s a nice destination and a doable hike for little legs and little bodies that may still be acclimating to the elevation. And the hike is a loop, so you don’t need to be worried about getting lost.
You’ll need to pay an entrance fee, so like many places in Argentina, bring cash!
Folk Music at a Peña
We did not end up visiting a peña with folk music while we were in Jujuy. Argentinians stay up late, so the music doesn’t start until 9pm. That’s pretty late for my little ones.
Plus, we had a kitchen to cook our own dinner. After a day of being out in the sun, relaxing at the house was much more our vibe by the time evening rolled around.
But before our trip, I had done some research and I had earmarked La Peña de Carlitos as my top choice, with La Peña de Chuspita as a backup.
Archeological Museum
Right in town, it’s easy to pop into the Archaeological museum of Tilcara. It has a number of artifacts from the indigenous culture like bowls, vases, and other everyday items. They’re dated from pre-Hispanic times and interesting follow up to the Pucará ruins.
Wayra Cave
You’ll need to go with a guide to the Wayra caves, which you should book at the tourism office in Tilcara. And it will be a full day activity. And I’ve heard it isn’t a hike exactly suitable for young kids. That being said, with my 3 year old and 8 year old, we didn’t attempt the hike. But older kids could be okay with the hike.
The caves and the views from the caves look spectacular, though. So if you’re physically able and have the time, the Wayra Cave could be a fun activity in Jujuy, Argentina!
What to do in Humahuaca - Jujuy, Argentina
Driving north from Tilcara, there are a couple of quick stops you could take if you want to break up the drive to Humahuaca.
The first stop is at a slightly hidden monument to represent the Tropic of Capricorn. It was fun to explain what it meant to the kids, snap a quick photo, and head back to the car.
Tropic of Capricorn Marker
The second stop is Paseo Arte Guanaco. The main draw really is a giant llama (maybe guanaco?) outside of the shop. For kids, it’s fun to take a photo.
Inside, there is a restaurant that looked pretty deserted. And some additional artisan crafts and souvenirs. Some of the artisan crafts actually seemed authentic. But for us, it was a nice way to break up the drive. And we found some cookies to buy for a snack in the car.
Hornocal
Hornocal aka The 14 Colored Mountain is the biggest draw to the town of Humahuaca. It’s arguably the best viewpoint in all of Jujuy. And it’s no wonder you can see so much - at Hornocal you’re sitting at over 14,000 feet in elevation!
You’ll need to drive up to the entrance from Humahuaca. You can either drive it yourself or hire a 4x4 in town to take you up there. The drive itself is manageable, especially in good weather. But it is a gravel, winding road. And you’ll be at high altitude so you want to make sure your body is acclimatized enough to drive safely.
When you enter the town, you will be waved down by the group selling you 4x4 rides to Hornocal. They almost make it look like they’re an official government stop point. They aren’t. But they can smell a tourist a mile away.
These “officials” will try to convince you that it isn’t safe (or that you aren’t allowed) to drive up to the entrance of Hornocal yourself, and try to sell you a ride. This is the closest scammy, taking advantage of tourists situation I came across in Argentina.
If you don’t feel comfortable driving up by yourself, I’d recommend going to the tourist office in town to get a ride to the top. And if you do feel comfortable driving yourself - go for it! It’s about 25km and will take you around 45 minutes one way.
At the top, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee. Then there are a few short hikes to check out the views. Remember, you’ll be at over 14,000 feet! So set your expectations accordingly. And bring water and anything else you’ll need to help with the elevation.
Shop for Artisan Goods and Souvenirs
The Plaza and main square in Humahuaca is lined with artisan and souvenir stands. Some of the artisan stands in this town felt a bit more authentic. Some of the goods actually seemed hand made compared to Purmamarca and Tilcara. And there were some unique items I hadn’t seen at the other markets. Especially some jewelry that was tempting.
I had read before visiting that a shop in town named Manos Andinas was the place to shop for authentic, hand made, fair trade artisan souvenirs. I came prepared with plenty of cash, ready to shop for something that would last. But, despite the “Abierto” sign in the window, the shop was definitely closed while we were there.
View from the monument in the town of Humahuaca
While in the main plaza, you can climb the steps to the Monumento a los Heroes de la Indepencia and admire the views from the top. And there are some nice restaurants in town. We especially enjoyed Pachamanka Restaurante for a nice meal out that also felt child friendly.
What to do in Purmamarca - Jujuy, Argentina
Purmamarca is the one place where I did pay for parking in Jujuy. Right when you enter town, there are cars lining the wide, main road. A sign indicates that it’s paid parking. I decided to park here rather than navigating the narrow streets of town and hoping to find a spot.
You need to find the parking attendant in the yellow vest. When we visited, it was 800 pesos. You didn’t need to put the ticket in your car or anything so I don’t know how heavily it’s regulated. But at less than 1 USD, it was worth the peace of mind for me.
My paid parking spot in Purmamarca
Paseo de los Colores
The Paseo de los Colores is my top pick for a hike in Jujuy with kids. It’s a 3km hike with very clear signage and very little elevation gain. The views along the way are spectacular, and you can start and end the hike right in the town of Purmamarca.
You will need to pay a nominal entrance fee in cash, but it’s worth it for the views and ease of this family friendly hike. On Google Maps, this hike is labeled as “Paseo de los Colores”, but it has also been called Cerro de los Sietes Colores. They are one in the same, just so you don’t get confused.
Artisan Markets
Purmamarca is another town that is lined with artisan and souvenir stands. There are also a number of permanent shops with souvenirs for sale. In many of the shops, you’re able to pay with a credit card. Plus, you can find some unique goods that aren’t available at the typical outdoor stands.
Visit the Small Playground in the Town Square
In the middle of the main plaza in Purmamarca, there is a small playground. My kids loved being able to just be kids for a while. And I enjoyed listening to the folk music that was playing at a nearby restaurant and people watching. Overall, it was a really pleasant way to relax and soak in the atmosphere of Purmamarca.
Live Folk Music at a Restaurant
Unlike in Tilcara, some restaurants in Purmamarca have folk music playing for lunch and not just after 9pm. If you want to listen to some live folk music with your kids, I would prioritize Purmamarca over Tilcara because of this.
When we were there, Pasakana Resto Bar seemed to have the most reliable music playing at lunch time. They had a relaxing, shaded upstairs patio for dining and that’s also where the band was playing. But when in doubt, you can just follow the music.
Salinas Grandes - Jujuy, Argentina
The Salinas Grandes salt flats are different from any other attraction you’ll see in Jujuy, or in Argentina for that matter.
It takes a bit to get there, and once you’re there it is really unique and interesting. But the novelty can wear off quickly with little ones. So decide for yourself whether or not it’s worth it for your family to visit Salinas Grandes.
It’s about a 1.5 hour drive (one way!) from Purmamarca up to Salinas Grandes. Along the way, you could break up the drive a teeny bit by stopping at the Abra de Potrerillos sign - where you’ll be able to snap a photo showing that you are at 4170 meters in elevation (nearly 13,700 feet!).
There is also a restaurant just before you reach the entrance to the salt flats called La Pekana. The restaurant has views of the surrounding mountains and of the salt flats in the distance. They have traditional Argentinian food, and even coca tea if anyone is struggling with the altitude. Plus, they have bathrooms if anyone needs to relieve themselves before entering Salinas Grandes.
Once you arrive at Salinas Grandes, you will register and pay in the parking area. A guide will either come in your car or lead your car (and maybe a couple others) on a motorbike through the salt flats.
You’ll have the opportunity to get out, snap some fun photos, and marvel at all that salt! You’ll spend 1-2 hours at the salt flats before making the 1.5 hour journey back down to Purmamarca.
Make sure you bring sunnies, plenty of water, and wear sunscreen!
Where to stay in Jujuy, Argentina
Tilcara, Jujuy Argentina
If you’re wondering where to base yourself for a few days in Jujuy, I recommend Tilcara. Especially if you’re staying at a self-catering house or apartment.
Tilcara is centrally located between Purmamarca and Humahuaca, it’s where the main gas station is located (this is important in Jujuy!), and it’s where the main produce market, grocery shops, and other daily conveniences are located.
We stayed at Cabaña La Nochera just outside of Tilcara and it was the most fantastic spot for kids. Plenty of space to play, a small play structure, modern conveniences, and friendly hosts.
Purmamarca, Jujuy Argentina
If you’re staying at a hotel and plan to eat out for meals, you could consider staying in Purmamarca. Especially if visiting Salinas Grandes is a top priority for your family.
Purmamarca is definitely more of a town made for tourists. But I did really enjoy the feel of the town with its folk music, playground, and laid back atmosphere.
There are zero supermarkets in Purmamarca. There are a few small food shops, but I had difficulty even finding a bag of rice. Luckily, a shop owner was really helpful and told me which store to check and how to find it.
Colores de Purmamarca vacation rental home could be the perfect happy medium for your family. It has a full kitchen but you can have breakfast included. Plus, there's a pool if you're visiting in the warmer months!
What to Consider When Deciding Where to Stay in Jujuy, Argentina
Parking
The streets in the towns of Jujuy are narrow. If you are at all concerned with your car getting side swiped (yes, there are reports of it happening at certain accommodations I was considering), make sure there is dedicated parking for your accommodation.
Alternatively, choose a place that is out of town a bit more, where the streets are a little less trafficked.
Noise level at night from the Peñas
As I mentioned earlier, the folk music at Peñas in Tilcara doesn’t start until 9pm. I don’t know about your kids, but mine are usually in bed or at least on their way at 9pm. We just aren’t on the Argentinian sleep schedule.
If you’re concerned about noise at night, pay attention to reviews. And take a look at what businesses and restaurants are nearby your accommodation.
Wifi Reviews
A few places I looked at did not have good reviews for the Wifi quality. If this is important to your family, don’t assume that having Wifi available means having streamable Wifi available in every room.
In town, I did have service consistently with my eSIM. And with unlimited data from companies like Holafly, unreliable Wifi may not be an issue for you.
Especially if you’re staying out of town, though. Make sure Wifi gets good reviews at the places you’re considering!
Space for Kids
If having space to relax or play after a day of exploring and being in the car, pay attention to the living room areas. One place I was considering seemed great… until I realized the only relaxing furniture was a hard bench. For five nights, this wasn’t ideal for our family.
And most places in town won’t have outdoor areas for your kids to play. If this is important for your family, consider staying out of town. Or maybe in Purmamarca where there is the playground in the main plaza.
Play structure available at Cabaña La Nochera
Food Availability
As I mentioned earlier, Purmamarca doesn’t really have any supermarkets or produce markets for gathering groceries. All towns are going to have restaurants. But if you have a kitchen, just make sure you have a plan for stocking that kitchen.
Why I recommend staying at Cabaña La Nochera
We chose to stay at Cabaña La Nochera, which is 7km outside of Tilcara. It was absolutely the perfect place for our family for the five nights we were in Jujuy. This wasn’t a sponsored stay or anything, I just really loved this accommodation so much… especially with kids!
La Nochera offered phenomenal views of the mountains. I almost didn’t feel like we had to go to different viewpoints, because we had them right in our own backyard! And front yard for that matter.
It’s remote and you’re connected to nature. But you have all the modern conveniences and comforts. And you’re only 10-15 minutes from Tilcara. Parking also obviously isn’t an issue. You have your own driveway!
There is a small play structure available for the kids, friendly dogs to play with, occasionally the owner’s son comes over to play, there’s a horse to pet, and there’s space to play - inside and out! And the Wifi is fast.
There were extra touches like the tasteful artwork and nods to the indigenous culture. There was a basket of fruit waiting for us. They had universal adapters available to use. And they came and cleaned once during our 5 night stay.
As an upside, they accept credit card payments (which becomes important in Argentina!). As a downside, they charge an extra 10% - which wasn’t disclosed to me until after I had arrived. But what was I going to do then? I just didn’t have the cash with me.
The only downside was that when the power goes out (this happened twice during our stay - but only briefly), I didn’t have cell service there. I had to drive 1.5km down to the main road to get connected. Since I was traveling alone with my kids, not being connected was a bit unsettling. But like I said, both times it was resolved quickly and didn’t become an ongoing issue.
How to get to Jujuy, Argentina
The easiest, quickest, most convenient way to get to Jujuy, Argentina is by flying into the Jujuy airport - Gobernador Horacio Guzman International Airport (JUJ).
It’s about a two hour flight from Buenos Aires. Alternatively, you could fly into the Salta airport. But if you’re only planning on exploring north of Salta and Jujuy, this just adds hours on the road.
For perspective, from the Jujuy airport, it’s a 1hr20min drive to Purmamarca, and 1hr35min to Tilcara. From the Salta airport, it’s 2hrs45min to Purmamarca, and just over 3 hours to Tilcara.
But if you plan on exploring places south of Salta, like Cafayate, you may want to consider flying into Salta instead of Jujuy.
P.S. Did you know nearly all airports in Argentina have kids play areas?? It's a game changer while waiting for your boarding time.
How to get around Jujuy, Argentina
Rent a Car
Especially with kids, I really encourage you to rent a car.
A lot of young backpacker-style tourists take the buses around. And they seem reliable and convenient. But to be on your own schedule, your own itinerary, and in the comfort of your own music, movies, and talking space, just rent a car.
If you stick to the main roads, you won’t run into any dangerous road conditions. I was just warned not to drive at night because animals are likely to be crossing or wandering on the roads. And when we were there, I did see a number of dead dogs, and even a dead horse, on the sides of the roads.
Jujuy is definitely not walkable. Everything is a drive. And a number of the roads wind around the mountainsides. If any of your kids struggle with motion sickness, make sure you bring motion sickness meds with you! We used these homeopathic motion sickness meds for a non-drowsy option. And they seemed to work better for my daughter than Dramamine.
If you're headed to Iguazu Falls, skip the car rental! Read about how to get around Iguazu Falls in this article.
Getting Gas in Jujuy, Argentina
Gas stations aren’t necessarily hard to come by. But when you see one, especially a major chain, just make sure you fill up. For us, we were 7km from Tilcara. And Tilcara has one of the main gas stations in all of Jujuy.
And as a side note, we had a nice car that had a lot of modern conveniences like navigation, CarPlay connection, back up cameras, etc. But the fuel gauge was just off and inaccurate. It said I was 80% full when I was really only 50% full. Pay attention to how far you’ve gone and just fill up. I wouldn’t want to be stuck between towns with no cell service and an empty tank.
I had read reports of some gas stations running out of gas in Jujuy. But I think if you stick to the main gas stations (like the YPF in Tilcara), I don’t think it will be an issue.
There is often a line for the gas pumps. So if you’re in a time crunch and need gas, leave early!
Pump attendants do everything for you. You’ll need to tell them what type of gas you want and how much gas to put in your tank. Yes, they are happy to fill it up. I don’t think it’s exactly the right terminology for cars, but I always requested “hasta llenar”. And through sign language, they were able to confirm that they understood. They’re used to tourists in Jujuy.
In my experiences, you can even pay with a credit card right from your car. They will bring the card reader to the window. If you’re at a smaller gas station, it’s a possibility that cash is the only option.
Other Tips for Driving in Jujuy, Argentina
Police Stops
When we were leaving Humahuaca, they were doing breathalyzer tests on all the drivers leaving town.
And there were a number of police checks along the route. I was always waved through. But even the car rental agent was surprised that I never had to show my registration during my five day rental.
Driving at Night
I’ve mentioned not driving at night a few times, but I think it deserves a space in this section, too. Driving at night isn’t advised, mostly because of the animals that wander onto the road. Drive with caution if you end up driving after dark.
Speed Limits
Locals just don’t abide by the speed limits. And you’ll piss them off if you abide by every speed limit. I found this out the hard way.
When you see a speed limit decrease, it is a sign that either a windy road is approaching. Or maybe some speed bumps. So proceed with caution and maybe decrease your speed a bit. But in general, I learned to follow what the locals were doing, decrease by at least 10km/hr, allow everyone to pass me, and I was fine.
Road Conditions
The main roads are generally in good shape. There’s the occasional dip or random bump so you need to stay alert.
You will end up driving on dirt or gravel roads in Jujuy. It’s unavoidable. Just go slowly and you’ll get there. All the towns are unpaved, or have cobblestones at best. To get to all the major attractions, though, the roads are generally in good shape.
Parking in Jujuy
Streets in towns in Jujuy are tight. Sometimes there is restricted parking, so pay attention to signs and utilize your Google Translate photo feature to understand what the signs are indicating… or just park somewhere with no signs.
Some people park on the sidewalks to move to the side more and avoid getting side swiped. Like with speed limits, just follow what others are doing. But know you may drive around the towns a bit before finding a parking space you’re comfortable with. I generally chose to park on the outskirts of town a bit more to find wider or less trafficked street parking.
In Purmamarca when you first enter town, there is a main paved road with paid parking. When we visited, the cost was 800 pesos (at the time less than $1). I chose to park there over trying to find something on the narrow dirt roads with a lot of foot traffic in town. Just find the attendant with a bright yellow vest, and he’ll give you a ticket indicating that you paid.
My paid parking spot in Purmamarca
Do you need a 4x4 in Jujuy, Argentina?
In my experience, I never felt like I needed 4WD in Jujuy. But we were there in the dry season (safer roads), and we generally stuck to the main roads. Even on the dirt and gravel roads, it wasn’t necessary.
If you plan on venturing off the major roads, or if you’re visiting when roads may flood, you may want to consider 4x4. But for a general kid-friendly trip to Jujuy, a 4x4 isn’t needed.
When to go to Jujuy, Argentina
We visited Jujuy in June and would 10/10 recommend visiting Jujuy in winter. So in Argentina, that means June to August.
The weather we experienced in winter was dry (i.e. safe roads!), cold in the evenings (think 30s), and in the 70s and sunny during the day. That meant cool enough for hikes but warm enough to wear a tshirt. We had to pack a lot of layers of course. But also during winter, crowds are lowest.
We also really enjoyed visiting Iguazu Falls in the winter months. You can read about why in this article.
Other times to consider visiting Jujuy are in Spring (September to October) or Autumn (April and May).
In spring and autumn months, you’ll still have mild temperatures, but it won’t be so cold at night. Meaning you can probably leave the puffy jackets and gloves behind. There’s a bit more of a chance of rain than in winter, but you’re unlikely to experience bad road conditions due to the rain in spring and autumn.
Visiting in the summer (November to March) could be interesting. It’s hot. And it rains more, which means some roads become flooded and unusable. And all of your outdoor hikes could be a bit wet with limited views.
What to pack for Jujuy, Argentina
In addition to all of your regular travel items, here are some things you’ll specifically want to pack for a trip to Jujuy, Argentina.
Sun Protection
That high altitude sun is intense. So you’ll want to protect yourself with sunscreen, hats, and sunnies. If you've never tried a sunscreen stick with kids, now is the time! So many fewer arguments getting sunscreen on faces ever since I started using them!
Layers
Being at a high altitude desert means that the temperature can fluctuate a lot throughout the day. In the winter when we visited, it would be in the 30s in the morning, but quickly climb to the 70s as the sun heated the land.
But with any cloud cover or wind, and if you climb higher in altitude, the real feel could once again change drastically.
We had t-shirts, sweaters, and puffy jackets. And wore them all at different times of the day! Since it got so cold overnight, we ended up buying slippers at one of the markets because the floors were so cold in the mornings.
I have a few different recommendations on what to bring along if you're also planning on visiting Iguazu Falls on your family trip to Argentina. You can find those items in this article.
Flashlight
In our 5 night stay in Tilcara, the power did go out twice. Both times, it was resolved quickly. But I still was happy to have a flashlight with me… just in case.
I always travel with a small flashlight in my suitcase. And I like how this one is rechargeable so I don't have to mess with carrying spare batteries.
Motion Sickness Meds
Roads are windy. They’re bumpy. You have to drive to do anything. If anyone in your group experiences car sickness, make sure you’re prepared!
My daughter found these homeopathic motions sickness meds to work better than even Dramamine. And they didn’t make her drowsy at all. For adults, I also love Bonine.
Hydration
Water bottles and electrolytes if you can. That dry, high altitude air makes it easy to get dehydrated. Come prepared and be proactive with hydration.
My kids love LMNT electrolytes, but anything will do!
Moisturizer
My skin was dry in Jujuy. Especially because we had just come from tropical Iguazu. I found myself putting on moisturizer daily.
Cash!
You can find places that accept credit cards in Jujuy. But there are some things that only have cash as an option. Or that credit cards are kind of a hassle. At markets, entrance fees for hikes, and on some tours you’re going to need cash.
I luckily brought enough cash with me from Buenos Aires where I picked some up from a Western Union. And I’m glad I did. The line in Tilcara for the bank was always at least 30 people deep. And I’ve heard that Western Unions in the area can easily run out of cash and they may charge additional service fees.
Just do yourself a favor and pick up enough cash in Buenos Aires before heading to Jujuy.
Final Thoughts: Visiting Jujuy, Argentina with Kids
Jujuy, Argentina is a beautiful piece of the country with vast, open landscapes, beautifully unique mountains and views, and vibrant indigenous culture.
My top tips and recommendations for visiting Jujuy, Argentina include bringing plenty of cash, renting a car, being mindful of the altitude, and slowing down and being realistic with what you can achieve in your time there.
Do these things and you’ll have a magical and memorable trip to Jujuy, Argentina.
My Top Resources for Planning a Trip to Jujuy, Argentina:
Get unlimited data with an eSIM from Holafly.
Consider staying at Cabañas La Nochera in Tilcara for a fantastic kid-friendly experience.
Compare prices for rental cars on Rental Cars. It allows you to compare prices across rental car companies, filter for car size, automatic transmission, company reviews, and price.
Don't forget travel insurance from a company like SafetyWing.
When you're leaving or arriving in Buenos Aires, do yourself a favor and arrange transfers with Welcome Pickups.
If you're also planning on visiting Iguazu Falls on your family trip to Argentina, make sure to check out this massive article I wrote with everything you need to know to maximize your time in Iguazu Falls!