Salinas Grandes

Salinas Grandes Review

One of the more surreal sights to see near Purmamarca is the Salinas Grandes, more than 200 square km (80 square mi) of dazzling salt flats at the top of a mountain. Take the sinuous Ruta 52 for 64 km (40 mi) over the majestic Cuesta de Lipan (Lipan Rise)—which tops out at 4,170 meters (13,700) above sea level—and cross Ruta 40. The salty landscape is surreal, and it's made even more so by a building constructed entirely out of slabs of salt turned a brownish color and salt furniture set up like church pews, complete with lectern. A series of small pools have been cut out of the salt flats' surface, revealing a layer of water and freshly forming crystals underneath. Take a camera, a hat, and sunblock.