This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Tilcara.
Tilcara, Argentina -- this small dusty town -- looks something akin to a Wild West film set. The long dusty roads; the dusty, Western-styled buildings; the arid mountains that surround the town; and bountiful amounts of cacti all bring you back to the rugged times of the past. Welcome to San Francisco de Tilcara, offered referred to simply as Tilcara for short. It's a small town in northern Argentina located within the province of Jujuy, it is just under a hundred kilometres from the province capital, San Salvador de Jujuy.
Getting in and out of Tilcara is simple, as the town is located along one of Argentina's major highways, Ruta Nine. Buses regularly pass to and from the town. Coming in from Bolivia, it is simply a case of catching a bus from La Quiaca into Tilcara. If you are planning on heading deeper into Argentina, buses regularly go to Jujuy and Salta from Tilcara.
Despite Tilcara's small size, there is actually a large amount of accommodation options in Tilcara. Hostels in Tilcara, Argentina, all tend to be of a similar price and adorned in a similar style (think Western!). Most hostels in Tilcara, Argentina, are centrally located, offer guests a complimentary breakfast, have Wi-Fi and also offer guests the use of a communal kitchen. Though small, many hostels in Tilcara, Argentina, offer a highly sociable atmosphere, and some even have onsite bars.
Tilcara's main attractions are all within walking distance from the centre of town. Tilcara features a number of small museums and the famous archeological site of Pucara. Though it's mostly reconstructed, Pucara is still worth a visit, as the site is situated on top of a hill that offers nice views of the town and surrounding mountains. The best day to visit is a Monday, when the museums and archaeological site are free. Tilcara also has a waterfall called Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat); the waterfall itself isn't much, but the four-kilometre walk to get to the waterfall offers views of the town and mountains, which are well worth the hike.
Written by local enthusiast for Tilcara hostels
Chloe