My friend and I are visiting Argentina in about 2 weeks and plan to visit the Salta area May 24-27th. Any ideas of things to do/see? Any recommendations for hotels or tour guides in this area? Thanks!

Hi, SAT28, GREAT CHOICE!
Salta area is beautiful and I am quite sure you will not regret.
You need two days to see the SAlt Flats, Purmamrca and Tilcara,. You can stay at Purmamarca and enjoy the area walking in the morning around Purmamarca climb and enjoy the weather there. Depending in your budget there are several hotels. My favorite in Purmamarca is LA COMARCA, and the options there are Houses, Cabins or hotel rooms. There is a Restaurant in the Hotel and the swimming pool, gym room and other facilities are ready for you.
In Tilcara, Las Terrazas is nice, close to town, and the place is great.
Do not miss CAFAYATE! not only if you are fond on wines, but if you are not, the way to Cafayate has the most incredible rock formations and, of course, my recommnedation for hotels here is KILLA, which is in town and the hotel itself seduce you to stay by the swimming pool reading, in the garde, in your own balcony or in the breakfast place.
For your limited time a private tour would be the best for you to see as much as possible but enjoying.
For further info, do not hesitate in making as many questions as you consider necessary.
Warm regards,
Flintstones.

"Flinstones" is a private guide who has received many, many glowing recommendations from travelers on both Fodors and TripAdvisor. She follows the forum rules and does not advertise her services, but is always generous with free advice. Perhaps she can post her email address here, or you can do a search here to get it, or go to TripAdvisor, where she posts as "Giena" and you can PM her.

Flintstones' real first name is Angie and her e-mail is [email protected]

I feel she is the best or, at worst, one of the best independent guides in our NW.

But you don't have to take my word for it. I suggest you research her by writing "Angie" in the TA Argentina forum's search feature:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum...Argentina.html

You can also research her here, by clicking on "Advanced Search".

Have a great time in Salta. If you have a LOT of time to spare, read my Salta trip report of a few years ago.

http://tinyurl.com/jsgu8

If it were me I would spend three of those four days in Cafayate. Salta is a very busy, traffic-choked city, so you'll want to get out of there and head somewhere more mellow after a day or two. Great market there if you want to sample some Andean food for prices too cheap to believe. Great empenadas!

Flintstones-I heard wonderful things about you & know people who have used you. I just sent you an email.

Patty; Thank you. (still shocked...)
Globetrots; Salta is a wonderful town not too quiet, with a very active nightlife... Dead during siesta time... <But wonderful! The culture is very interesting, the dance, the music, the spirit of the area!
Delicious food!
Warmregards,
Flitnstones

With only 3/4 days you definitely need a guide to make the most of your time there. Flintstones comes highly recommended - she provided me with invaluable information when we spent a few weeks in the region last year. As for what to see and do, i find it difficult to single out any particular parts of our trip so here is a link to our blog with lots of photos (make sure you take loads of memory/film for your camera!)

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...tml#ENTRY_LIST

For a great place to stay in San Lorenzo just outside of Salta

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...tml#ENTRY_LIST

and if you make it to Cachi Finca la Paya is definitely worth a visit