Planning a Trip

Getting There

I don't recommend making the long-distance drive to Argentina's Northwest; it's safer and much easier to either fly or take the bus.

By Plane -- Flights land at Martín Miguel De Guemes International Airport, RN 51 (tel. 387/424-2904), 8km (5 1/4 miles) from the city center. Aerolíneas Argentinas (tel. 0810/222-86527 or 387/431-0862) and Andes Líneas Aéreas (tel. 0810/122-26337 or 387/416-2600) fly from Buenos Aires (some flights make a stop in Córdoba). Nonstop flights from Buenos Aires take 2 hours and cost between $55 and $100 (£30-£55) each way, depending on the season and availability. A shuttle bus travels between the airport and town for about $3 (£1.65) one-way; a taxi into town will run about $6 (£3.30).

By Bus -- The Terminal de Omnibus, or central bus station, is at Avenida H. Yrigoyen and Abraham Cornejo (tel. 387/401-1143). Buses arrive from Buenos Aires (18 hr.; $60/£33) and travel to San Salvador de Jujuy (2 1/2 hr.; $4/£2.20) and other cities in the region. Chevalier (tel. 387/431-2819) and La Veloz del Norte (tel. 387/431-7215) are the main bus companies.

Visitor Information

The tourism office, Secretaría de Turismo de Salta, Buenos Aires 93 (tel. 387/431-0950 or 387/431-0640; www.turismosalta.gov.ar), will provide you with maps and information on dining, lodging, and sightseeing in the region. It can also help you arrange individual or group tours. It's open every day from 9am to 9pm. In Buenos Aires, obtain information about Salta from the Casa de Salta in Buenos Aires, Sáenz Pena 933 (tel. 011/4326-1314). It's open weekdays 10am to 6pm.

Fast Facts

Currency Exchange -- Exchange money at the airport, at Dinar Exchange, Mitre and España (tel. 387/432-2600; Mon-Fri 9am-1:30pm and 5-8pm; Sat 10am-3pm), or at Banco de La Nación, Mitre and Belgrano (tel. 387/431-1909; Mon-Fri 9am-2pm).

Emergency -- Dial tel. 911 for police, tel. 100 for fire, and tel. 107 for an ambulance.

Hospital -- Saint Bernard Hospital is at Dr. M. Boedo 69 (tel. 387/432-030).

Tour Operators -- Explore the region with Saltur Turismo, Caseros 485 (tel. 387/421-2012), or Incauca Turismo, Mitre 274 Local 33 (tel. 387/422-7568; www.incaucaturismo.com). The tourist office can suggest English-speaking guides.

Getting Around

Salta is small and easy to explore on foot, but be careful; drivers here are pedestrian-blind. The Peatonal Florida is Salta's pedestrian walking street -- a smaller version of Calle Florida in Buenos Aires -- where most of the city's shops are. The main sites are centered on Plaza 9 de Julio, with a monument to General Arenales in the center and a beautiful baroque cathedral at its edge. Built in 1858, the Catedral is considered Argentina's best-preserved colonial church. All the other attractions here -- except the Salta Tram and the Tren a las Nubes -- are within easy walking distance.

Renting a Car -- Noa Rent a Car, Buenos Aires 1 Local 6 (tel. 387/431-0740), has subcompacts and four-wheel drives. Hertz is at Caseros 374 (tel. 387/421-7553) and the airport (tel. 387/424-0113). Avis is located on Casero 420 (tel. 387/421-2181) and at the airport (tel. 387/424-2289). Following the currency evaluation, cars have become more affordable to rent here, ranging from $45 to $50 (£25-£28) per day.