Major city · Argentina
Tilcara
Base in Tilcara for 2 nights: the Pucará plus one Quebrada day trip. Skip it as a day trip from Salta — that is a long haul each way (check travel time).
Tilcara is the archaeological centre of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a UNESCO site, and the best base in the gorge: the Pucará fortress is a 20-minute walk from the bus terminal, and Humahuaca, Purmamarca and the Salinas Grandes are all reachable in a day. Two nights covers the town and one side trip; three nights lets you add the salt flat.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ARS
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Nov (dry, clear)
- avoid Jan–Feb (rain, muddy trails), Jun–Aug nights below freezing
- Airports
- JUJ · SLA
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Argentina ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Argentina's National Migration Directorate (Migraciones) or an Argentine consulate before booking.
- Argentina ↗Since April 2025 the official, MEP and street ('blue') dollar rates sit within a few percent of each other; a foreign card is usually the best-value way to pay, while ATM withdrawals carry high fixed fees. Rules have changed often — check before you fly.
- Argentina ↗Patagonia (El Calafate, El Chaltén, Ushuaia) is a November–March trip; in winter many services close and hiking is limited.
- Argentina ↗Since August 2026 non-resident foreigners must show insurance or pay for non-urgent care at nationally run public hospitals, and Buenos Aires City, Mendoza, Salta, Jujuy and Santa Cruz charge visitors for scheduled care; emergencies are still treated. Travel with medical insurance — check the current rules.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Tilcara911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tilcara, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Argentine peso (ARS, $).Argentina-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro, Movistar and Personal cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their shops with a passport, or an eSIM before you fly.Argentina-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable in Buenos Aires and most cities; in the Northwest and rural areas ask or use bottled.Argentina-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10% in cash; the cubierto (cover charge) is not a tip.Argentina-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Argentina-wide
- SafetyTilcara is a small, walkable tourist town and violent crime against visitors is rare.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsUse cafés, shopping centres and bus terminals (small fee sometimes); carry tissues.Argentina-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police (emergency) · 100 fire · 107 Medical emergency
- Sundays & holidaysSiesta hours (13:00–17:00) in the provinces close many shops; Buenos Aires works straight through.Siesta hours (1:00 PM–5:00 PM) in the provinces close many shops; Buenos Aires works straight through.Argentina-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportJUJ Gobernador Horacio Guzmán International (Jujuy) (Nearest airport; about 1.5 h by road to Tilcara.
- Getting aroundOn foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or a tamale at a plaza caféARS 3,000–8,000
- Beerbar or shopARS 4,000–8,000
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekARS 8,000–20,000
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personARS 12,000
- Mid-range bedDouble room, guesthouse or hostería, a night, per roomARS 65,000
- High-end bedDouble room, guesthouse or hostería, a night, per roomARS 130,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ARS 25,000 · Mid ARS 55,000 · High ARS 110,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- JUJ Gobernador Horacio Guzmán International (Jujuy) (Nearest airport; about 1.5 h by road to Tilcara. Buses and remises from the terminal in San Salvador de Jujuy.) · SLA Martín Miguel de Güemes International (Salta) (About 3.5 h by road south on Ruta 9; buses run to Tilcara via San Salvador de Jujuy.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Feb
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Mar
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Aug
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Nov (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jul (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest Jan (15 rain days), driest Jun (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tilcara: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
15 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
14 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
3 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
2 rd
Jul
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
2 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
2 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
3 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Dec
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot. The town is small and the Pucará is about 20 minutes from the bus terminal. Bikes can be rented near the tourist office for the side valleys; taxis and remises handle the Salinas Grandes and Maimará runs.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h each way
Bus or remis north on Ruta 9
Colonial centre and the San Francisco Solano monument; combine with Uquía on the way back.
Purmamarca
goDoor to door: About 45 min each way
Bus or remis south on Ruta 9
Cerro de los Siete Colores and the craft market; go early before the tour buses.
Salinas Grandes (Jujuy)
goDoor to door: 3–4 h each way
Taxi or organised 4x4 tour from Tilcara, over the Cuesta de Lipán
A full day above 3,400 m; bring water, sun cover and cash for the entry.
Uquía
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Bus or remis north on Ruta 9, on the Tilcara–Humahuaca route
Small church with a painted altar and the Cueva de las Señoritas above the village.
Maimará
goDoor to door: About 20 min each way
Bus or remis south on Ruta 9
Paleta del Pintor hillside and the flower-covered cemetery; an easy half-day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Around the plaza and Belgrano
Walk to the Pucará trailhead, restaurants and the market; no car needed.
Near the bus terminal (Ruta 9)
Cheapest beds and easiest with bags; 10–15 min walk to the plaza.
North edge toward Juella / La Isla
Quieter, more views, fewer services; check the walk back after dark.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ARS 25,000–45,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ARS 45,000–90,000 excl. bed
- High
- ARS 90,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, guesthouse or hostería1 × 2 nights × ARS 65,000 | ARS 130,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ARS 55,000 | ARS 220,000 |
| Pucará entry (foreigners), includes museum and botanic garden2 × ARS 12,000 | ARS 24,000 |
| Bus Humahuaca return2 × ARS 8,000 | ARS 16,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ARS 12,000 | ARS 24,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ARS 41,400 |
| Trip total≈ ARS 113,900 per person per day, bed included | ARS 455,400 |
2026 estimate in pesos; long-distance buses and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or a tamale at a plaza café | ARS 3,000–8,000 |
| Menu del día (soup, main, drink) | ARS 10,000–18,000 |
| Llama stew or Andean plate | ARS 12,000–22,000 |
| Beer, bar or shop | ARS 4,000–8,000 |
| Remis Tilcara → Maimará | ARS 8,000–15,000 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ARS 8,000–20,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude: Tilcara sits at about 2,460 m. Take the first day easy, drink water and allow for a poor first night's sleep.
- Sun and cold in one day: UV is strong at this altitude and winter nights (Jun–Aug) can drop near or below freezing.
- The only bank in town (Macro) serves clients only; bring cash and treat unofficial exchange offices on the plaza with care.
- Trails to Garganta del Diablo and La Isla are rough and unmarked in places; go with daylight left and proper shoes.
Emergency numbers
- Police (emergency)
- 911
- Fire
- 100
- Medical emergency
- 107
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
TilcaraTilcara
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police (emergency)911
- Fire100
- Medical emergency107
Embassy
No embassies in Tilcara; the US, UK, Canada and Australia have embassies in Buenos Aires, and most countries keep consulates in Salta or Jujuy — check before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Tilcara → Humahuaca: about ARS 4,000 one way, about 1 h
- Remis Tilcara → Purmamarca: ARS 15,000–25,000
- Salinas Grandes day tour by 4x4: ARS 60,000–120,000 per person
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-syahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
- ¿Dónde está la terminal de ómnibus? — Where is the bus terminal? (DON-deh es-TAH la ter-mee-NAL deh OM-nee-boos)
- Necesito ayuda — I need help (neh-seh-SEE-toh ah-YOO-dah)
Altitude about 2,460 m. Cash is king: many small places take cards but the only bank serves clients only.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tilcara. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Nov (dry, clear) · avoid Jan–Feb (rain, muddy trails), Jun–Aug nights below freezing · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for JUJ and SLA: last bus and remis times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: plaza and Belgrano, Pucará and the botanic garden, the terminal strip, the north edge toward Juella.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Pucará, archaeological museum, Garganta del Diablo trail) and eat pages with last orders.
- Altitude and rain fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialArgentina official tourism site
- officialJujuy provincial tourism
- secondaryOpenStreetMap — Tilcara
- secondaryWikivoyage: Tilcara, revision 5298155 (CC BY-SA 4.0)