We don't plan to drive in BA..and have to fly to I. Falls. Should we rent a car to see the Salta area?

You can rent a car or use a guide/driver. The mountain roads are narrow, and the road signage is very limited so if you drive get a very good map. Flintstones is a guide who posts here and is highly recommended. IMO using a guide is better since you learn more about the area and can enjoy the sights instead of watching the road. There were many times I was glad not to be the driver! There are several earlier posts here regarding using either choice. Regardless of your choice, Salta is a wonderful experience which most Argentina tourists miss.

Angie Valdez is an independent Salta guide who posts here as "Flintstones" and in the Trip Advisor Argentina forum as "Giena".

You can check her out using the TA forum search feature and asking about "Angie".

I used her services and mentioned her repeatedly in my VERY LONG Salta trip report http://tinyurl.com/jsgu8

Her e-mail is: [email protected]

Copy the WHOLE address, do NOT click on it.

Have a great time in our country.

Driving in all Argentina is not very easy and there are few places where that is really recommended. Bs.As is too hard for tourist because of the traffic we have. Salta is a different story, you must be a local to drive there if you really want to make the best of your time If your stay is of more than a week, it is ok, but if it is short, you are bound to waste a lot of time avoiding the roads which are under repair or simply affected temporarily by the weather. People cannot enjoy the landscape while driving on narrow winding road. Salta/Jujuy show WONDERFUL LANDSCAPES. Driving there will prevent you from enjoying them. Angie is not only known in the reviews in the forum, she is known to be the favourite guide in the area, the most knowledgable and the one who will do her best to make your trip unforgettable.

Thank you, Milla. Well, on dispite of the obvious, I really think driving is hard when you have to see around. If you are an expert driver on non-paved roads, and hair-pin curves, adn mountains it is ok, but if not relax and enjoy. Usually this kind of trips are not repeated, so, the best would be to have a good view- Iknow, CollegeMom you would repeat it, wouln´d you?
Warm regards,
Flintstones

Kleroux, I agree with everything that has been said here.
I always rent a car, no matter where I've travelled.
BUT for this trip, I've decided to hire a guide/driver. ...Angie, actually...and I can't wait.

Do yourself a favour and hire a guide, so you can really enjoy the scenery , worry free.

With only 5 days in the NW and an excellent driver/guide, it would be easy to return again to enjoy more quaint villages, wonderful empanadas and wine as well the beautiful moutains. Next trip will be with Angie who tempts me to come sooner with the promise of her empanadas! We have driven rented cars in many parts of the world, and this was our first use of a guide/driver. Our BsAs friends recommended using a driver/guide in the NW, and IMO it is the ONLY way to fully enjoy the area. There were washed out roads, dirt roads to interesting areas which had no signs on them, which the guide knew well, plus he inquired about our interests and customized the trip stops for us. One favorite stop was a very small almond raising village on the side of a mountain. It was like a National Geographic photograph with colorfully dressed people on horseback or donkeys on very narrow dirt village roads, small homes, many children and dogs just living life. We would have never found this nor many of the other stops on our own. If you have limited Spanish, the guide offers a communication advantage since there is much less English in the small villages as well as fewer ATMS and places taking credit cards. Depending on how long you have to spend in Salta area, remember you can fly into one city and out of another quite easily. We flew from BsAs into Salta and used that as a base for day trips in that area and then drove to Tilcara and Purmamarca and flew back to BsAs from JuJuy. The Salta region's natural beauty offers a sharp contrast to the man made beauty in BsAs. Next trip will hopefully be several weeks!

Kleroux, Salta area is huge, and very diverse enjoy it as much as possible. Make and itinerary of three or four days but deep experiences. Enjoy some of your time in town also, but see at least, Salt flats, Purmamarca and Cafayate. In four days, and relax.
Warm regards.
Flintstones

I remember my trip from Salta to Cachi - we had a driver and I was happy not to drive on my own. It had rained and ocassionally we had to cross small "rivers" with the car. And of course the road was not paved. Not all drivers are good, and the road is dangerous - you will drive past all the crosses of people who died on this road. We were told that many people died in a disastrous accident of the local bus line a few years ago.

http://www.omnilineas.com Retiro - Buses in Argentina

Bemco that accident was many years ago,a bus felt in the clift and 38 people died, fortunatelly the road has been built wider now and, of course, there are a lot of crazy drivers. Even driving in the city is dangerous. That is why I say foreigner should not try to drive themselves. There are codes, that otsiders do not understand at the intersections, or in the hills.
Warm regards,
Flintstones

Dear Kleroux:

In Nov. I spent 2 weeks in Salta and had a rental car. Here are my observations:

1. Driving in Salta itself is anarchy on wheels! Brace yourself if you are from the U.S.; drivers don't follow the same rules as you are used to. Best to park the car and take cabs around. We stayed in San Lorenzo, about 10 km. from Salta, and drove back and forth (about 15 min. to city center).
2. We went to Cachi, Cafayate, and Jujuy area with the rental car. No problemo! Yes, you have to drive accross some small streams on the way to Cachi, and yes, after about 75 k. it turns into a gravel road. We had a low clearance Chevy Corsa bitty car and made it through the water OK. As far as the gravel road, just drive cautiosly and you will make it to Cachi OK. By the way, once you get over the pass, and go accross a large plain headed down towards Cachi, be on the lookout for wild Guanacos.
3. It is easy sailing driving on the state highways and autopistas, with fairly good highway signs.

Hi all,

I've been reading a lot of threads on this area. Jus t wondering if any of you have the lastest recommendations on Hotels in Salta and Cafayete. Looking for charm and comfort.

Thanks for any advice.