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A Day Trip To Purmamarca: The Best Things To Do 2024

ByCharlotte

A Day Trip to Purmamarca: A Summary

Purmamarca is the perfect place for a day trip. Located in the Northern region of Jujuy it’s quickly become one of the most popular towns in the area. Probably has something to do with the dramatic backdrop of the seven-coloured hill that you can see from the cobblestoned streets of the town. It’s impressive. It was unlike anywhere I’d been before and I loved wandering the streets of this little town, despite the weather (which was freezing btw). I took complete advantage of the crisp winter air, softened by the direct winter sun rays by sitting in the plaza buzzing with life and just watching.

The photos don’t actually do this town justice. The contrast between the bright colours of the mountains and the clay-coloured houses is something you just have to see for yourself. As you wander around the town, the view of the hills just gets better and better. I loved the slowness of it all, you’ll see people congregating in the plaza, sipping on mate or just browsing at the handmade crafts. It’s easy to lose hours here.

Is it worth visiting Purmamarca for a day trip?

If you’re in the North of Argentina, you should definitely visit Purmamarca for a day trip. The town is conveniently located close to many of the other frequented towns in the area, which makes it an easy place to get to on public transport. There’s enough going on in the town to keep you busy with enough time to watch some live music at a peña, do a hike or try some local food in one of the many restaurants.

Hill of 7 colors from the viewpoint from mirador del cerro El Porito
The view from the Mirador del Cerro El Porito

How to get to Purmamarca

From Humahuaca: you can take a bus from Humahuaca to Purmamarca. The buses run daily and are frequent. The journey takes about 1 hr 10 minutes. Tickets cost around $4.40.

From San Salvador de Jujuy: the bus takes about 1.5 hours and run from 7am. Tickets cost around $7.

From Tilcara: the journey is short, taking about 25 minutes. The buses run frequently along this route and costs around $2.

You can book your bus tickets online here.

Admire the view from Mirador del Cerro El Porito

Walk up to Mirador del Cerro El Porito for an incredible view of the hill of 7 colours from above. You can see the dramatic hill peaks and it’s the perfect backdrop for photos. There is a fee to reach the top, 250 pesos for Argentinians and 500 pesos for tourists. Watch out for the llamas at the foot of the hill too.

Visit a Peña

Visiting a peña is a must when you’re in Argentina. A peña is a traditional tavern where you can eat, drink and listen to local music. They’re a great place to meet locals and get new ideas for your Spotify playlist. I have playlists dedicated to so many local bands in all areas I’ve visited and it’s such a fun way to not only develop your taste in music but to take you right back to the moment you first heard it. A great spot in Purmamarca is Tierra de Colores.

Llamas eating in Purmamarca
The llamas in Purmamarca

Try the famous Tortilla Rellena

Tortilla Rellenas are a must-try when you’re in Purmamarca. You’ll see these being sold on the sides of the streets close to Plaza de Julio. You won’t miss it because there’s guaranteed to be a crowd gathered at any point of the day. One tortilla costs 2000 pesos and you can choose from a variety of different fillings. I went for the classic ham and cheese and honestly, they’re just the best comfort snack on a winter day.

A ham and cheese tortilla rellena on a day trip to Purmamarca
A ham and cheese tortilla rellena

Browse the stalls in Plaza 9 de Julio

If you walk straight forward from the bus stop, you’ll see Plaza 9 de Julio. I spent over an hour just wandering around the plaza and side streets. Looking inside all of the shops reminding myself there’s not a cm of room left in my backpack for gifts. The stalls are made up of an assortment of the cosiest llama wool jumpers, socks and pretty much any other garment you could think of. Take a break in the plaza and grab a bite to eat after strolling the town. It’s blissful. I sat here for about an hour in the sun, eating my tortilla and people-watching as a man played a guitar next to me. It was one of the highlights of my day.

Hike Camino al Cerro de los Siete Colores

By far one of the most popular hikes to do in the North is to hike Camino al Cerro de los Siete colores. Plan for about an hour here. It’s a short, easy walk that covers around 1.3 kilometres. The trek takes you right up close to the stunning coloured hills. You’ll get incredible views of the town and the surrounding mountains, especially if you go in the morning or late afternoon. At this time, the light hits the rocks just right. Wear comfy, sturdy shoes, as there can be a lot of loose gravel further up the path.

A view of the surrounding mountains on a day trip to Purmamarca

Where else to go in Argentina?

Argentina is home to some of the most beautiful places on the planet. If you’re in the Northern region of the country there are some great options for places to visit. You can book cheap buses here.

Some places worth visiting close to Purmamarca are:

  • Humahuaca – the bus to Humahuaca takes 1 hr 15 and costs around $5.
  • Tilcara – the bus to Tilcara takes 30 minutes and costs around $2.
  • Salta – the bus to Salta takes 3 hr 55 and costs around $19.
  • San Salvador de Jujuy – the bus takes 1 hr 10 and costs around $7.

Take a look at the best places to visit in the North of Argentina.

A day trip to Purmamarca: A Summary

It’s definitely worth a day trip to Purmamarca as it’s one of the most beautiful towns in Northern Argentina. I wouldn’t suggest travelling from Buenos Aires just to see Purmamarca unless you have more time to see the other towns and explore the region. It’s a long way to travel if you only have a few days. But if you’re planning a trip to the Northern region, it’s definitely worth having on your itinerary. As it’s only small you can see so much in a few hours. It is one of the most expensive towns in the region but it’s famous for a reason. Purmamarca has a unique charm that you won’t find in other areas of the country.


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