Purmamarca

A picturesque village famous for the stunning Cerro de los Siete Colores, a mountain with naturally colored striations visible from the central plaza. The town's charming square is ringed with craft shops and restaurants, making it a perfect base for exploring the colorful landscapes of the Paleta del Pintor region.

Things to do

• Hike Cerro de los Siete Colores — Ascend the iconic seven-colored mountain directly behind the plaza for panoramic views of the village and surrounding valleys, a moderately challenging trek taking 1.5 to 2 hours.
• Explore Plaza 9 de Julio — Wander the charming main square lined with colonial architecture, artisan craft shops, and local restaurants where you can watch Cerro de los Siete Colores change colors throughout the day.
• Visit Paleta del Pintor — Drive 9 kilometers northeast to this stunning natural paint palette of colored rock formations with layers of reds, greens, purples, and yellows in the hillsides.
• Browse Local Craft Shops — Shop for authentic handmade textiles, ceramics, alpaca wool products, and regional crafts directly from artisans in small shops surrounding the plaza.
• Day Trip to Maimará Palette — Travel 25 kilometers to this striking formation of colored mountains visible from the highway, featuring dramatic striations of reds, oranges, yellows, and greens best photographed at sunrise.
• Photography at Sunset — Position yourself in the plaza or on nearby hillsides during golden hour when the mountain's natural pigments become most vibrant and dramatic for stunning landscape photography.

Food to try

• Empanadas Salteñas — Savor the region's signature baked pastries filled with spiced meat, potatoes, and hard-boiled egg, often served with a spicy salsa for dipping.
• Locro de Papa — Enjoy this traditional Andean stew made with potatoes, corn, beans, and sometimes meat, slowly simmered with local spices and served warm in ceramic bowls.
• Quinoa-based Dishes — Try modern preparations of this native Andean grain in salads, soups, and side dishes at restaurants around the plaza celebrating local agricultural heritage.
• Llama or Alpaca Steaks — Sample grilled meat from these native camelids, leaner and more flavorful than beef, typically served with chimichurri sauce at local restaurants.
• Humita — Taste this traditional corn pudding made from fresh corn, cheese, and spices, often wrapped in corn husks and steamed, reflecting indigenous Andean cooking.

Local customs & good to know

• Visit Early Morning or Late Afternoon — The village experiences significant tourist influx during midday; visit the plaza and mountain at sunrise or after 4 PM for a more authentic and peaceful experience with better lighting.
• Respect Photography Customs — Always ask permission before photographing local artisans in their shops or indigenous residents wearing traditional dress, as many prefer not to be photographed without consent.
• Learn Basic Spanish Phrases — While tourism is established here, speaking some Spanish shows respect to locals and enhances interactions; English is limited outside tourist-focused businesses.
• Support Local Artisans Directly — Purchase crafts directly from artisans in small family-run shops rather than larger tourist stores to ensure your money supports the local community and preserves traditional craftsmanship.