JujuyOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From Indigenous Stronghold to Colonial Crossroads

Jujuy's history is rooted in its location within the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a mountain valley that served as a trade route for millennia. Traces of human habitation in the area date back over 10,000 years. The region was part of the Inca Empire in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The name Jujuy is believed to derive from "xuxuyoc," a type of Inca provincial governor encountered by the Spanish in the late 16th century.

Francisco de Argañaraz y Murguía founded San Salvador de Velazco en el Valle de Jujuy on April 19, 1593, after two earlier attempts failed due to resistance from indigenous peoples. The city became a hub on the mule trade route connecting the silver mines of Potosí (in present-day Bolivia) with centers of the Viceroyalty of Peru, such as San Miguel de Tucumán. This importance was solidified in the late 17th century when the customs house moved to Jujuy from Peru.

A Crucible of Independence and Modern Development

During Argentina's War of Independence, Jujuy played a role. On August 23, 1812, General Manuel Belgrano ordered the "Jujuy Exodus" (Éxodo Jujeño), a forced displacement of the population. Faced with an advancing Royalist army, Belgrano commanded the people to abandon the city and destroy anything of value to deprive the enemy of resources. This act proved crucial in weakening the Royalist forces, leading to their defeat in the Battle of Salta. Jujuy officially became an independent province in 1834, separating from Salta province, with San Salvador de Jujuy as its capital.

The city experienced damage from an earthquake in 1863, leading to slow reconstruction. The arrival of the Northern Central Railway in 1900 spurred growth and eased Jujuy's isolation, connecting it with Buenos Aires and La Paz, Bolivia. In the 20th century, the region's economy diversified with the growth of the sugarcane industry and the discovery of petroleum in 1969.

• —Pucará de Tilcara — This pre-Incan fortified hilltop settlement, occupied between roughly 900–1430 CE, shows the Omaguaca tribe's history. Located on a promontory above the village of Tilcara, it features reconstructed stone buildings, corrals, and ceremonial sites, with views of the Quebrada de Humahuaca.
• —Plaza Belgrano, San Salvador de Jujuy — The main square of the provincial capital, founded in 1593. It is surrounded by colonial architecture, including the Cathedral of San Salvador, and features an equestrian monument to General Manuel Belgrano. It is a central point for local life and a starting point for exploring the city's historic district.
• —Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colors), Purmamarca — This hill provides a natural spectacle, with mineral-layered rock faces that change tone throughout the day as the light shifts. A 3 km walking circuit around the hill offers various perspectives of its colors.
• —Salinas Grandes — A salt flat on the Puna plateau at 3,450 meters, about 90 km west of Purmamarca. The surface is a mosaic of salt polygons, offering a white landscape that can have shallow standing water in summer and dry crystalline formations in winter.
• —Serranía de Hornocal — This geological formation near Humahuaca showcases stratified rock, creating a natural amphitheater of colors, particularly visible in the afternoon light.

The best time to visit Jujuy and the Quebrada de Humahuaca is during the dry season, from April to October. This period offers clear skies and comfortable temperatures, suitable for exploring the mountains and high-altitude desert landscapes. Daytime highs range from 13°C in June to 25°C in November, with cold nights, especially from June to August, when temperatures can drop to 0-5°C. The colors of the landscape are most visible in these dry conditions.

Avoid the wet season from December through March, when afternoon thunderstorms are common, roads to places like Salinas Grandes and Hornocal can become muddy, and the canyon may flood. January is the wettest month, averaging 14 rainy days. The Humahuaca Carnival typically falls in February.

San Salvador de Jujuy's Horacio Guzmán International Airport (JUJ) connects to Buenos Aires and Córdoba. From Buenos Aires, overnight buses take 22–24 hours. Buses from Salta city reach Jujuy in about 2 hours. Within the Quebrada de Humahuaca, local buses (colectivos) run regularly between towns like Tilcara and Humahuaca from the Jujuy bus terminal. Shared vans (combis) are also an option for inter-town travel.

Within San Salvador de Jujuy, urban buses operate using the SUBE electronic ticket system, which can be acquired at kiosks and the bus terminal. Taxis and remis (private car services) are available, with shared taxis operating on pre-established routes. The city has 23 kilometers of bike paths connecting neighborhoods. Renting a car from Jujuy or Salta offers flexibility for exploring the wider region, especially for destinations like Salinas Grandes, where roads can be unpaved and 4WD is recommended in the wet season.