Eat Well and Rest Easy

The Northwest's indigenous heritage has influenced its cuisine: corn and potatoes are common ingredients. Some dishes worth trying include locro, a soup of corn, beans, and red peppers which becomes a stew when meat is added; tamales, ground corn baked with potatoes and meat and tied up in a corn husk; and humitas, grated corn with melted cheese cooked in a corn husk. Grilled cabrito (goat) is also a specialty of the region. For dessert you may come across cayote, an interesting concoction of green-squash marmalade served with nuts and local cheese.

Hotels in the Northwest's major cities tend to be modern and comfortable. Most accept credit cards, though several offer discounts if you pay in cash. Many estancias (ranches) in the foothills accept guests and are listed with local tourist offices. Although the whole region has really started to open up to the outside world, there are almost no chain hotels. Instead, a dazzling array of boutique hotels and estancias have been built—or reinvented—with a sense of history and location.

ACA (Automóvil Club Argentino) maintains good campgrounds with numerous amenities. Note that as you travel farther north into smaller towns English is rarely spoken at hotels.