Humahuaca
Humahuaca is a small city in Provincia San Salvador de Jujuy, Argentina adjacent to the spectacular Quebrada de Humahuaca on the main road from Argentina into Bolivia. With a population of nearly 8,000 Humahuaca is sited along the banks of the Rio Grande at 3,000 meters above sea level.
The town was a stopping place along that route before beginning the difficult climb to the Altiplano. Later Humahuaca was a central place for the revolutionary activity that eventually led to the creation of modern Argentina. Humahuaca was also a station on the now defunct railway that connected Bolivia to Buenos Aires, it´s surrounded by acres of cactus and spectacularly colorful mountains,
Humahuaca is dominated by the Monumento de la Independencia crowning a small rise just west of the center and reached by climbing a long flight of steps. At the top there is a nice view of the Rio Grande valley and the town center not marred by the statue. There is also an adobe belfry and several cactus plants.
The central plaza is bordered to its west by the lovely small Iglesia de la Candalaria y San Antonio, a colonial era foundation with an altarpiece dating to the late 17th century. Despite its small size, the church is a cathedral, one of the smallest churches to serve that function.
The center of the town is an attractively whitewashed Spanish colonial area. The church, now a cathedral, is well worth a visit.
There are numerous small shops selling tourist trinkets as well as a daily handicrafts market on the steps leading up the hill to the monument.
There is a tourist office in the Cabildo on the main square, but it keeps very limited hours. Tourism information is also theoretically available at the bus station. Hotel proprietors are excellent information sources.
