Major city · Argentina
San Antonio de los Cobres
Half-day stop on the way to Salinas Grandes or a full day if you ride the Tren a las Nubes; not a base.
San Antonio de los Cobres is a high-altitude town (3,772 m) in Salta province, best known as the lunch stop for the Tren a las Nubes and the gateway to Salinas Grandes. The town itself has a few blocks of low houses, a market and the Quinoa Real restaurant. Most travellers arrive by bus from Salta, eat quinoa, see the viaduct and continue.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ARS
- Best months
- Apr–Nov
- avoid Dec–Mar (rainy season, road closures possible)
- Airport
- SLA
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for San Antonio de los Cobres911 ▾
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 San Antonio de los Cobres, 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
- SafetySafe town; main risks are altitude sickness and sun exposure at high altitude.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsUse cafés, shopping centres and bus terminals (small fee sometimes); carry tissues.Argentina-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 107 ambulance · 100 fire
- 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.
- AirportSLA Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport (Salta) (About 3 h by bus or car from San Antonio de los Cobres).
- Getting aroundWalkable in 20 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Metro or bus rideBus Salta–San Antonio de los Cobres, one waycheckARS 1,500
- Budget bedHostel bed, a night, per personARS 3,000
- Mid-range bedBasic double room, a night, per roomARS 10,000
- High-end bedBasic double room, a night, per roomARS 18,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ARS 5,000 · Mid ARS 10,000 · High ARS 20,000
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
- SLA Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport (Salta) (About 3 h by bus or car from San Antonio de los Cobres)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Feb
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Mar
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jul
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Aug
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Apr–Nov. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jun (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Jun (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Antonio de los Cobres: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Feb
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Mar
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
3 rd
Jun
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
2 rd
Jul
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
2 rd
Aug
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
2 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
3 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 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
Walkable in 20 minutes. Buses to Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca leave from the main square.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Salinas Grandes
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Bus or tour from San Antonio de los Cobres, about 1 h
Salt flats at 3,450 m; bring sunglasses and water.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Bus via Cuesta de Lipán, about 1.5 h
Colourful hills and the Cerro de los Siete Colores.
Door to door: About 3 h
Bus, about 3 h
Return to Salta for more accommodation and dining options.
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.
Town centre
A handful of hostels and basic hotels; book ahead in high season.
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 5,000–8,000
- Mid
- ARS 8,000–15,000
- High
- ARS 15,000+
Trip budget
| Basic double room1 × 1 night × ARS 10,000 | ARS 10,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ARS 10,000 | ARS 20,000 |
| Bus Salta–San Antonio de los Cobres, one way2 × ARS 1,500 · check | ARS 3,000 |
| Tren a las Nubes (bus+train combo from Salta)2 × ARS 2,570 · check | ARS 5,140 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ARS 3,810 |
| Trip total≈ ARS 20,980 per person per day, bed included | ARS 41,950 |
2026 estimate in Argentine pesos; flights and tours excluded.
Prices of common things
| Quinoa dish at Quinoa Realcheck | ARS 1,500–2,500 |
| Coca tea (mate de coca) | ARS 200–400 |
| Bus Salta–San Antonio de los Cobres, one waycheck | ARS 1,500 |
| Tren a las Nubes (bus+train combo)check | ARS 2,570 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude sickness: drink coca tea, walk slowly, avoid alcohol.
- Coca tea is legal in Argentina but can leave traces in blood for two days.
- Tren a las Nubes tickets must be booked in advance from Salta.
- No ATM in town: bring enough cash from Salta.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Ambulance
- 107
- Fire
- 100
Pocket card
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San Antonio de los CobresSan Antonio de los Cobres
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Ambulance107
- Fire100
Embassy
The US has an embassy in Buenos Aires; most other countries have consulates in Salta or Buenos Aires.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Salta → San Antonio de los Cobres: about ARS 1,500, about 3 h (check)
- Tren a las Nubes combo from Salta: about ARS 2,570, all day (check)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
- ¿Dónde está el bus a Salinas Grandes? — Where is the bus to Salinas Grandes? (DON-de es-TA el BOOS a sa-LEE-nas GRAN-des)
- Necesito mate de coca, por favor. — I need coca tea, please. (ne-se-SEE-to MA-te de KO-ka por fa-VOR)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRA-syas)
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 San Antonio de los Cobres. 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–Nov · avoid Dec–Mar (rainy season, road closures possible) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Quinoa Real and the Tren a las Nubes with verified hours and prices.
- Walking cluster with altitude-sickness rescue anchor.
- Bus schedule fixture from Salta (morning departures).
Sources
Ask about San Antonio de los Cobres
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