Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
sells ponchos, blankets, jewelry, red onyx sculptures, musical instruments and basketry.
Adjacent is a carpet-weaving workshop, where they'll happily show you around (free).
It's only open mornings from Monday to Friday.
Information
Banks with ATMs are around the plaza.
Municipal Tourist Office
(Sarmiento 620;
8am-9:30pm)
Just outside the cathedral.
Provincial Tourist Office
(
443-7791;
www.turismocatamarca.gov.ar
;
cnr Rivadavia &
República;
9am-9pm)
Helpful desk in a shopping arcade on a corner of the plaza.
Getting There & Around
AIR
Aerolíneas
( 442-4460;
www.aerolineas.com.ar
;
Sarmiento 589; 8am-1pm & 6-9pm Mon-
Fri, 9am-1pm Sat)
has five weekly flights from Buenos Aires. Minivans run from the ter-
minal to
Aeropuerto Felipe Varela
( 443-0080)
, some 22km east of town on RP33, to
coincide with flights, or it's AR$80 in a
remise
.
BUS
Catamarca's spruce
bus terminal
( 442-3415; Av Güemes 850)
includes a shopping com-
plex and cinema. There are services around the province and the country, including to
Tucumán (AR$116, four hours), La Rioja (AR$79, two hours) and Buenos Aires
(AR$585, 14 to 16 hours).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Belén
03835 / POP 12,300 / ELEV 1250M
Slow-paced Belén, a stop on RN40, feels like, and is, a long way from anywhere, and
will appeal to travelers who like things small-scale and friendly. It's one of the best
places to buy woven goods, particularly ponchos. There are many
teleras
(textile work-
shops) around town, turning out their wares made from llama, sheep and alpaca wool.
The nearby ruins of El Shincal are another reason to visit.
Sights
