Humahuaca can be explored through its history, archaeology, feast days and cuisine. The city was declared a historic site by a national decree in 1975. For travel planning, recurring events are also worth considering, distinguishing between a fixed feast day and a programme that changes each year.
History and Culture in Humahuaca
The Museo Arqueológico Torres Aparicio, at Córdoba 115, is dedicated to the palaeontological, archaeological and historical aspects of the Quebrada de Humahuaca. Tertiary and Quaternary fossils are on display there. Palaeontological subjects are presented alongside archaeological and historical perspectives on the Quebrada.
The Feast of Our Lady of Candelaria is celebrated in Humahuaca every year on 2 February; the exact programme may vary from year to year. A reenactment of the Battle of Humahuaca also takes place annually, and its format may change each year. If you would like to plan your travel dates around a festival, check the relevant programme in advance.
Traditional cuisine also offers a distinctive way to experience the area. Its staples include corn, potatoes, beans, broad beans and squash, as well as beef, lamb, llama, goat and chicken. Ají, cumin and paprika are among the seasonings. These ingredients showcase the range of local culinary traditions without reducing them to a single dish.
Cultural Landscape in the Department of Humahuaca
The Quebrada de Humahuaca runs through the wider travel destination of the Department of Humahuaca. The valley is about 155 kilometres long, narrow and dry, and the Río Grande flows through it. In 2003, UNESCO declared the Quebrada a World Heritage Site as a cultural landscape. Numerous archaeological sites and architectural heritage sites have been preserved in its valleys; Indigenous traditions are passed down from generation to generation. Humahuaca’s historic-site designation in 1975 and the Quebrada’s World Heritage status in 2003 therefore refer to different scopes.
In the Department of Humahuaca, the Monumento a los Héroes de la Independencia stands on Cerro Santa Bárbara and can be reached via a monumental stone staircase. It commemorates the struggle for independence and honours the anonymous participation of the population. A nine-metre-high bronze sculpture depicts an Indigenous person; reliefs of Indigenous people and gauchos complement the monument.
Uquía is also in the Department of Humahuaca. The earliest documented construction phases of the Capilla de la Santa Cruz y San Francisco de Paula date from the 17th century. The chapel has adobe walls and a gilded reredos; its gilded high altarpiece is considered unique in the region. Its artistic heritage includes nine 17th-century arquebusier angels from the Cuzco School. The feast in honour of the Santo Patrono at the church takes place every year on 3 May.
Getting to Humahuaca
Public bus services run to and from Humahuaca. For your arrival and departure, it is advisable to check the timetable and fare with the relevant operator, as providers, schedules and prices may change.
Discover more destinations: La Quiaca, Purmamarca, Maimará, San Javier, Huacalera, Tilcara, Yala, San Salvador De Jujuy.
For the broader travel overview: Jujuy.
