Coldwell Banker Around the World: September 2022

Sam Shalom   Sept 29, 2022

With a mixture of the Argentinean, Andean and Bolivian cultures, cuisine influence and traditions, Salta offers the perks of a large city while keeping the pace and comfort of a small town. Mountains and rivers, impressive museums, candlelit cafes, and vibrant peñas (folk-music clubs), Salta has something for everyone.

Subtle sophistication? Check. Unique gastronomy? Check. Plaza-side romance? Check. The most touristed spot in northwest Argentina is calling your name! Commonly known as Salta la Linda, the translation of the name says it all… “Salta the Pretty”. With a mixture of the Argentinean, Andean and Bolivian cultures, cuisine influence and traditions, Salta offers the perks of a large city while keeping the pace and comfort of a small town. Mountains and rivers, impressive museums, candlelit cafes, and vibrant peñas (folk-music clubs), Salta has something for everyone.

In addition to the delicious foods, nature, and personality that the region is known for, Salta is also famous for their excellent quality wines, thanks to the Torrontés grape which is only found in Argentina. Torrontés has flavors of orange peel, peaches, honey, oregano, chamomile and muscat grape. The balance between acidity and fruit flavors make it appear as a sweet wine but turns out to be a magnificent dry wine. Pair your wine with delicious meals, spend a few days touring the sights of Salta, then rent a car to hit the road and explore the northwest. Read on to learn more!

Where do you live: I live in the capital city, Salta, of the Province of Salta (northwest region of Argentina)

What is the perfect weekend day like: A perfect day during the weekend is spent enjoying the great weather, amazing nature between the hills and valleys, local traditions such as gaucho parades and folklore festivals, and delicious regional food with family and friends. When the nighttime strikes, we enjoy the famous peñas (folk-music clubs) that always entertain and surprise with music, traditional dance and typical dishes such as the Argentinean empanadas.

What are the common modes of transportation there: People in Salta move around both in private vehicles and public transport, such as buses, taxis, or Remis (car-hire).

Tell us about the foods your area is known for: Salta is characterized by its amazing regional food. The flavors are combined from the Andean, Spanish and cosmopolitan culture- taking us on a journey of sensations. From typical empanadas and regional dishes to gourmet cuisine with products from the area, Salta has generated its own unique gastronomic identity. Salta provides places such as the San Miguel Market, shops, and warehouses with a variety of typical, healthy, and organic products to sell/use.

What is your favorite meal? At home or at a restaurant: My favorite food is rib roast and empanadas.

Where do you recommend someone vacation in your region, why: I recommend vacationing in our city because we have many local activities, and you can leave for excursions from the city to visit the best places in the region such as the Cafayate region, just two hours away. In the Cafayate region, you can enjoy the excellent wines and amazing weather. A trip not to be missed is El Tren de las Nubes (“the train to the clouds”). The Train to the Clouds is an iconic tourist attraction of the province of Salta. It crosses the plateau until it reaches 4,220 meters above sea level, crossing landscapes of valley and grasslands. This is the third highest railway on the planet and has rigorous international quality and safety standards.

Another town that you cannot miss is Purmamarca in the province of Jujuy, just a two-hour drive from Salta. The most amazing site you can visit in Purmamarca is the Hill of Seven Colors, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. This breathtaking site is a mountain slope with ribbons of earth seemingly painted in distinct hues: brown, purple-brown, pink, red, white, yellow, and green, all of which derive from different types of rocks. The hill is said to be the most beautiful during the first 45 minutes after dawn but welcomes visitors all day long. You will not want to miss this trip.

What is your favorite recreational or leisure time activity: Our favorite activity is exploring the nature between hills, mountains, and rivers in our province.

Is there a specialty your area is known for: Our region is mainly known for tourism, the production of excellent quality wines (Torrontés grape), vegetables, tobacco, and mining production.

Share a little known but interesting fact about the area/region: The feast of our patron saints Lord and Virgin of the Miracle that every day on September 15 the religious procession is held with more than 800,000 faithful who arrive in our city of Salta after walking for several days from all points of our province.

 If you were to live in any other region where we have a Coldwell Banker presence, where would it be and why: The region we would like to live in is Madrid, Spain. It is a very beautiful city, and the country of Spain offers greater stability than Argentina.

Key Facts:

• Population: Estimated 750,000 inhabitants in city of Salta
• Language(s) Spoken: Español
• Climate: Warm climate, tropical zone
• Currency: Peso Argentino

Industry Facts:

• Types of Architecture: In Salta capital, a type of French-style colonial architecture predominates, as well as new building developments, modern premium country constructions, many of which follow the colonial line
• Prices per sq. ft/meter: Price per m² depends on the area and the property but the average is USD $1,000 approx.
• Average Sale Price: Average sales price for land: USD $50,000, apartments: USD $80,000, and houses: USD $150,000 approx.