Santa María

Santa María is the main town of the Yocavil valley, the southern stretch of the Calchaquí valleys, where Catamarca, Tucumán and Salta meet. Its name is also that of a culture: the painted funerary urns of the Santa María people, found throughout the valley, fill the town's archaeological museum. Around it lie vineyards, walnut groves and the ruins of the old fortified villages.

Most journeys pass through on the way north, with a stop for the museum and the plaza. North of the town the road follows the valley past Amaicha del Valle to the Ruinas de Quilmes and on to Cafayate; south it runs to the Valle de Hualfín and Belén. A night here makes sense for travellers who want to take the Ruta 40 slowly.

The valley is good all year. Summer is hot and the season of the grape harvest; winter brings cold nights and clear, sunny days.