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South AmericaArgentinaJujuy

Tilcara

Jujuy, Argentina · South America

About Tilcara

Tilcara is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Maimará, 42km from Quebrada de Humahuaca.

Tilcara is a town located in Jujuy, Argentina. With a population of 5,640, it is an important destination in South America.

On a road trip, Tilcara sits in Argentina, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/Argentina/Jujuy time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Tilcara to your route.

About Tilcara

San Francisco de Tilcara (usually referred to as Tilcara) is a city in the province of Jujuy, Argentina, and the head town of the Tilcara Department. It had 6,249 inhabitants at the 2010 census [INDEC]. Traces of human habitation in the area date back more than 10,000 years, making it one of the oldest continuously

Read more inhabited settlements of Argentina. Tilcara is located 84 km from the provincial capital, San Salvador de Jujuy, beside National Route 9, at about 2,500 m above sea level, well within the first heights of the Andes. The area features dramatic mountainous landscapes and rich aboriginal traditions, which make it a major tourist attraction in northwestern Argentina, with several nearby hiking tracks also attracting visitors. Possibly the biggest attraction in Tilcara is the nearby Pucará de Tilcara, the partially reconstructed ruins of a pre-Inca pukara, Quechua for "fortress", located a few kilometers away from the city of Tilcara on a hill with an impressive view of the valley of the Río Grande.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Tilcara

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Tilcara?

Tilcara offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Tilcara?

Plan your road trip to Tilcara with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Tilcara as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Tilcara located?

Tilcara is located in Jujuy, Argentina, South America. The coordinates are -23.5782 latitude, -65.3952 longitude.

What is the population of Tilcara?

Tilcara has a population of approximately 5,640 people, making it a town in Argentina.

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Quick Information

Population
5,640
Continent
South America
Country
Argentina
Region
Jujuy
Timezone
America/Argentina/Jujuy
Coordinates
-23.5782, -65.3952

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Argentina

Police
911
Ambulance
107
Fire
100
Driving side
right
Full driving guide for Argentina

Tags

South AmericaArgentinaJujuyTown

Worth the detour from Tilcara

6 notable places within an hour's drive.

scenic viewpoint

Purmamarca (Cerro de los Siete Colores)

A tiny adobe village at the base of the stunning Hill of Seven Colors, with a lively artisan market and gateway to the Salinas Grandes.

17 km · about 20 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Cerro de los Siete Colores

Banded sandstone hill above Purmamarca in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a short detour off RN9.

21 km · about 25 min drive

mountain pass

Cuesta de Lipán

Switchback climb on RN52 from Purmamarca to Abra de Potrerillos at about 4,170 metres, en route to Salinas Grandes.

26 km · about 30 min drive

natural wonder

Quebrada de Humahuaca

A dramatic UNESCO valley in northwest Argentina with rainbow-striped mountains, ancient caravan routes, and indigenous Andean villages.

42 km · about 50 min drive

photogenic

Serrania de Hornocal

A multi-coloured limestone ridge above Humahuaca reached by a rough 25 km climb to a 4,350 m mirador. The jagged calcareous formation folds into triangular teeth that glow in late afternoon light.

47 km · about 55 min drive

natural wonder

Salinas Grandes

A vast white salt flat at 3,450 meters in the Argentine Andes, with geometric salt pools reflecting the deep blue sky.

48 km · about 55 min drive

Driving roads near Tilcara

  • 17 kmPurmamarca (Cerro de los Siete Colores)A tiny adobe village at the base of the stunning Hill of Seven Colors, with a lively artisan market and gateway to the Salinas Grandes.
  • 21 kmCerro de los Siete ColoresBanded sandstone hill above Purmamarca in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a short detour off RN9.
  • 26 kmCuesta de LipánSwitchback climb on RN52 from Purmamarca to Abra de Potrerillos at about 4,170 metres, en route to Salinas Grandes.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Tilcara.

Maimará

🇦🇷 Argentina

5 km awayPop. 2,470

Tumbaya

🇦🇷 Argentina

32 km away

Humahuaca

🇦🇷 Argentina

42 km awayPop. 11,369

Valle Grande

🇦🇷 Argentina

47 km away

El Aguilar

🇦🇷 Argentina

50 km awayPop. 3,655

Libertador General San Martín

🇦🇷 Argentina

67 km awayPop. 49,267

Calilegua

🇦🇷 Argentina

67 km awayPop. 5,174

San Salvador de Jujuy

🇦🇷 Argentina

69 km awayPop. 257,970

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence