9 Amazing Things to Do in Purmamarca

Purmamarca is one of the most well-known small towns in the north of Argentina, and for good reason. Here you can feel that magical desert life.

Purmamarca may be a small town that most people come to visit for one day to see the Cerro de los Siete Colores, but there is more to it than that. If you have a chance, stay a few days and soak it all in. So what is there to do, you ask? You came to the right place!

I spent an entire week in the town of Purmamarca. It felt magical to me, so I wanted to spend more time here to truly feel it. In this blog post, I’ll lay out all the many overlooked things to do in Purmamarca, like where to eat, what to eat, where to visit, what to buy, how to get there, and where to stay.

If you’re interested in day trips from Purmamarca, check out my blog posts about the Salinas Grandes and Tilcara & La Garganta del Diablo.

Where is Purmamarca located?

Purmamarca is located in the Jujuy province of northern Argentina. It takes one hour to reach Purmamarca from San Salvador de Jujuy, and 2.5 hours from Salta (the capital of the Salta province). Purmamarca is a necessary stop to make on anyone’s northern Argentina itinerary.

How high is Purmamarca?

The elevation of Purmamarca is 2,324 m (7,625 ft).

What is the population of Purmamarca?

The local population of Purmamarca is just over 2000 people. It is a very small town with indigenous roots. The small-town feel is very apparent as you walk around.

What is Purmamarca known for?

Purmamarca is one of the more well-known towns in the northern Argentine provinces because of the Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colores). This hill sometimes gets confused with the Rainbow Mountains Argentina, the Serrania del Hornocal. While Purmamarca is known for the colored mountains, it has more to offer a traveler.

How many days do I need in Purmamarca?

I stayed an entire week in Purmamarca, which is admittedly too long. If I were to do it again, I would spend 3-4 days in Purmamarca, and then another few nights in Tilcara.

I think the ideal number of full days is 2-3. With two days in Purmamarca, you can easily see the town center, go shopping, see the Cerro de los Siete Colores, and take a side trip to the Salinas Grandes. You can even take a few day trips to Tilcara or Uquia.

How do I get to Purmamarca?

Traveling around the north of Argentina is very easy. A ton of buses go up and down the main highway there (ruta 9), and Purmamarca is one of those stops.

Salta to Purmamarca

You can purchase tickets from the Salta bus station to go directly to Purmamarca (3 hours). You can also purchase them online in advance from BusBud.

San Salvador de Jujuy to Purmamarca

The best way to reach Purmamarca from San Salvador de Jujuy is with a shared taxi. You can find a taxi near the “Terminal Viejo” in the San Salvador de Jujuy town center. I have shared several more details about transportation in the north of Argentina in this blog post here.

Tours & Car Rentals

If you don’t have much time, and can’t stay a few nights in Purmamarca, there are also several full-day tours available from the major cities, like Salta.

If you want more freedom, I suggest renting a car from Salta or San Salvador de Jujuy. You can find better prices if you book in advance. I have used both DiscoverCars and RentalCars.com, but have had better experiences with the latter.

When to Visit Purmamarca

Purmamarca is one of the towns in the north of Argentina that celebrates Carnival. This is a great time to come here, but hotels can also fill up quickly so make sure to book in advance.

Winters up north get quite cold, and summers get very hot and rainy. The best times to visit are the shoulder months: May/June and October/November.

Things to Do in Purmamarca

Purmamarca is a small town but there is a lot to do and see.

1. Cementerio de Purmamarca

This desert cemetery is a straight shot from the bus station. Just go straight down the main Rivadavia street until the end and you’ll run into it. It’s on the edge of town, and you won’t run into it unless you go there on purpose (or if you pass through on the way to Cerro de los Siete Colores).

It’s interesting to stroll through and see the DIY mausoleums, headstones, and gravesites, all situated with a backdrop of the beautiful red mountains.

It’s one of the most interesting cemeteries I’ve ever seen, pushed right up against the red rocks.

2. Iglesia Santa Rosa de Lima

This large church sits right in front of the main plaza. You’ll pass it on the way to the cemetery. It’s a small, quaint church with a simple interior. The pews and ceiling are made from cactus wood, as you can see by the many holes in the wood. The church was founded in 1594.

3. Go shopping in Purmamarca

If you’re looking for textiles, clothing, masks, slippers, rugs, etc. this is the place to come for shopping. Several vendors line the entire main square, many side streets, and the designated market sections. The colors are bright and they offer great prices.

I got two alpaca sweaters. A solid black for USD 11, and one with the Alpaca design for USD 13. If you’re heading to other cities in the north of Argentina, the best prices I found were in the town of Humahuaca (one hour north of Purmamara).

4. Eat at a Peña

Most restaurants in Purmamarca have live music while you dine, both for lunch and dinner. It’s definitely a unique experience. They play traditional Argentine folklore music, and you can watch as all the Argentines clap and sing along.

Often, the musicians will engage the diners, asking each table where they’re from, and everyone will clap for one another. Though there are many great places to eat in Purmamarca, my favorites were Ruta 52 and Los Tientos.

You should practice saying where you’re from in Spanish as it will come in handy in Purmamarca at the peñas.

I’m from: Soy de ___.
I’m from the United States: Soy de los Estados Unidos.

5. Mirador Cerro el Porrito

This lookout point is just minutes from the main plaza. It costs the equivalent of USD 0.25 to enter. You can get a great view of Purmamarca down below. You don’t need much time up here, but it’s certainly worth it.

While you’re up there, look towards the red mountains and you’ll see a path that goes up a valley (photo on the right below). Once you leave the Porito, head that way to get another view of the city down below.

6. Camino al Cerro de los Siete Colores

This is the main reason so many people come to Purmamarca. Without stopping, walking the 1.9-mile Cerro de Siete Colores loop would probably take about 30-45 minutes, though you’ll want to stop several times to take photos and videos of this marvelous place.

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7. Panorama of the Siete Colores

This is located across the highway from the Cerro de los Siete Colores and offers a panoramic view. Across the highway (from the main front entrance to town), you’ll see a couple of signs and a slight opening.

Go through there, up the path by the pink house, and continue zigzagging up the path as far as you can go. Voila! You’ve got a great panorama photo spot!

8. Have a coffee by the Plaza

There are several restaurants around town, but the best spot for people-watching and enjoying the sunshine is in the southwest corner of the main plaza.

There are a couple of small cafes there where you can get juice, coffee, or snacks. From time to time, a street musician will come and play the guitar there as well. I loved sitting there and reading my book.

9. Try a tortilla rellena

Purmamarca was the first spot in the north, where I saw tortillas rellenas (photo above on the left) cooking on the street, and I was hooked. There are multiple flavor options: ham & cheese, cheese & corn, or onion, tomato & cheese. Divine. Grab a tortilla for USD 1 and take a seat in the middle of the plaza to watch everyone shop.

Is Purmamarca worth a visit?

Purmamarca is worth a visit, especially if you have a few days to get a real feel of the town. But even if you don’t have a few days, and just a few hours, you can still see a lot. It is one of the more expensive towns in the north of Argentina, as well as one of the more touristed (domestic tourism mainly), but with reason.

This is a beautiful town and very worth the visit.

Where to stay in Purmamarca

Del Amauta Hosteria

A beautiful place to stay in Del Amauta Hosteria. It has a great location right on the edge of town, but everything here is walkable. The rooms are clean and beautiful.

Click HERE to see the availability for Del Amauta Hosteria and make sure to BOOK AHEAD

Hostal Giramundo

A popular hostel in Purmamarca is Hostal Giramundo. There are a number of these hostels around the north of Argentina, and they are very fun places with great ambiance.

Click HERE to see the availability for the Hostal Giramundo

Los Colorados Cabañas Boutique

This hotel is one of the most beautiful places to stay in Purmamarca. It’s set back a bit from the center of town and feels like it’s built right into the red rocks. This is one of the most unique hotels in Jujuy. If you’re looking to treat yourself a little, stay here.

Click HERE to book the beautiful Los Colorados Cabañas Boutique

Visiting Purmamarca: Final Thoughts

Purmamarca is one of those fantastic gems in the north of Argentina, and I highly recommend making a stop here, whether it’s for just an afternoon or several days. You can easily see everything mentioned above in one day.

However, I suggest staying longer if you have the time, to truly feel the magic of Purmamarca. Many people tend to miss the north of Argentina, which is a big mistake. This place is truly incredible.

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