Doctor Manuel Belgrano Department: Natural and Cultural Heritage

The Río Xibi-Xibi divides the valley of San Salvador de Jujuy. In Doctor Manuel Belgrano Department, travel themes range from urban history and culture to green spaces and Yungas landscapes. When planning your stay, consider whether you want to focus on museums and buildings or on nature and trails. This question can also help you choose a hotel that suits your sightseeing plans.

Nature between green spaces and the Yungas

Parque Botánico Barón Carlos María Schuel is located on a 15-hectare urban site. There, you can observe birds, flora and fauna. Parque Provincial Potrero de Yala offers a different focus: it protects Yungas ecosystems, particularly montane forest and cloud grassland, and is one of the core areas of Reserva de Biosfera de las Yungas. The park is home to more than 250 bird species and more than 16 bat species.

The six Lagunas de Yala lie between montane forest and cloud grassland and provide habitats for birds and other species. Parque Provincial Potrero de Yala also has several trekking trails and a viewpoint with panoramic views. This means trip planning can focus on either observing nature or exploring trails and scenic viewpoints.

Museums, history and architecture

Museo del Cabildo presents the history of the province in eight rooms: from its ethnic origins through the colonial period and the pre-revolutionary era to its connections with Belgrano. The exhibition uses theatrical and audiovisual displays.

The oldest flag of Argentina is kept in the Salón de la Bandera at Casa de Gobierno. General Manuel Belgrano gave it to the people of Jujuy after the Jujuy Exodus in August 1812. The flag’s history links a specific place with a notable event in the province’s history.

The religious buildings also differ in their pulpits and materials: Catedral de San Salvador de Jujuy has a Baroque pulpit made of Ñandubay wood, while Basílica de San Francisco has a gilded, carved-wood pulpit. Capilla de Santa Bárbara houses a collection of 18th-century paintings. Museo Histórico Provincial is housed in a mansion dating from the mid-18th century, where General Lavalle was killed; the building is designated a National Historic Monument.

Casa Museo Macedonio Graz has a permanent exhibition on the 19th century, with original rooms and personal belongings of Macedonio Graz, a journalist from Jujuy. In San Salvador de Jujuy, it also serves as a museum, exhibition center and cultural space. The original rooms and personal belongings add the lived experience of one individual to the themes explored by the history museums.

City life, tradition and regional products

Parque San Martín has children’s play areas, fountains, spaces for various sports, a municipal swimming pool, a few mechanical rides and several walking paths. Parque Lineal Río Xibi Xibi in San Salvador de Jujuy includes the Las Lavanderas Amphitheater, dedicated to the women who used to wash clothes in the river.

A pilgrimage takes place every year on Good Friday at Cerro Las Rosas, attended by faithful from San Salvador de Jujuy. If you are interested in regional products, Paseo de los Artesanos, also known as Plazoleta Antonio López Iriarte, has stalls selling regional sweets, empanadillas and regional wines.

Getting there and choosing a hotel

San Salvador de Jujuy is located along paved National Routes 9 and 66. From the city, Parque Provincial Potrero de Yala can be reached via National Route 9 and Provincial Route 4; check road conditions before setting off. Gobernador Horacio Guzmán International Airport has good connections with the rest of Argentina. There are three tourist information offices in San Salvador de Jujuy.

This way, you can base your choice on your own itinerary without assuming a particular location for your accommodation.

A broader look at Jujuy

In Jujuy Province, Quebrada de Humahuaca follows the Camino Inca and forms a 155-kilometer north–south corridor with hundreds of archaeological and architectural sites. This broader look at Jujuy complements the local themes of Doctor Manuel Belgrano Department without conflating places in the province with attractions in the department.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Termas De Reyes, León, Ledesma Department, San Antonio, El Carmen Department, Palpalá, San Pedro Department, Santa Bárbara Department.

Back to the main travel overview: Jujuy.