Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CATAMARCA & LA RIOJA
Comparatively little visited by travelers, these provinces are wonderful fun to explore,
and are rich in scenery and tradition. Both were home to important pre-Columbian cul-
tures and consequently the region contains many important archaeological sites. The
landscape rises westwards into the Andes, with some of the country's most spectacular
highland scenery accessible by tour or 4WD: it's an utterly memorable landscape.
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Catamarca
0383 / POP 195,100 / ELEV 530M
Vibrant Catamarca has a completely different feel to the other towns of this size within
the region. San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, to give the city its full name, has a
lovely central plaza filled with robust jacaranda, araucaria, citrus and palm trees, and
streets dotted with noble buildings. A few blocks west, Parque Navarro's huge eucalypts
scent the air and are backed by the spectacular sierra beyond.
Sights
Sights outside of town easily accessible by bus include the grotto where the town's Vir-
gin was found, a reservoir, indigenous ruins, and the picturesque foothills around Villa
Las Pirquitas. The tourist office will explain them all and show you where to get the bus.
