Amid the rainbow-striped cliffs of the Quebrada de Humahuaca and the cacti-studded desert plains of Argentine’s wild northwest, Tilcara is a small town with big views. More often a road trip pitstop than a final destination, there are enough things to do in Tilcara to warrant spending a day or two. Dive into pre-Inca history as you explore the hilltop ruins of Pucará de Tilcara, marvel over relics from the site at the Dr. Eduardo Casanova Archeological Museum, and then hike through the gorge to the Devil’s Throat waterfalls.
Summer temperatures can be unbearably hot in Argentina’s arid northeastern province. A more enjoyable time to visit is in winter (June through September), especially if you plan to hike or visit open-air ruins with little shade. However, it’s worth braving the heat to attend Tilcara’s colorful carnival celebrations (February and March) or the Enero Tilcareño festivities stretching throughout January. Finally, this highland town sits at 8,087 feet (2,465 meters), so prepare for chilly nights year-round.
You can explore Tilcara’s small town center and attractions on foot—it’s about a 20-minute uphill walk to the Pucará de Tilcara and a scenic 2-hour hike to the Devil’s Throat waterfalls. However, many regional attractions are too far to walk, and most visitors arrive in a car or as part of a tour. For short trips, taxis are widely available in town.
One of the most surprising attractions of this small mountain town is the Museo de los Cerros (MEC), or Museum of the Mountains, on the outskirts of town. Housed in a complex of traditional adobe buildings and backdropped by the jagged Humahuaca cliffs, it’s one of the region’s most rewarding art displays. Carefully curated exhibitions showcase the works of more than 20 local photographers in a truly memorable setting.
