EL CARMEN

One of the oldest and most pictorial villages in the Province of Jujuy is the town of El Carmen. Its importance in the local economy comes from the cultivation of tobacco, cattle breeding and its vineyards producing very good wines.

Towards the end of the XVIII century a public oratory dedicated to the Virgin of Carmen was built in this place, which became more and more known as the Perico del Carmen. During the following century, an important settlement of sorts started to grow up, which underwent a big expansion during the second half of that same century.

There is practically nothing left of the original settlement, due to the tobacco crop economic boom and the subsequent real estate investments.

Located between the intersection of the National Routes Nº 9 and Nº 66, at 44 km from San Salvador de Jujuy, it is one of the oldest settlements in the Province of Jujuy. It is located at 1168 m.a.s.l. and has a population of 8,600 inhabitants.

During the week between the 9th and 16th of July each year the Virgin of Carmen is celebrated. The festivities include an agricultural and livestock show, coupled with a Fair selling regional product from the Humahuaca Gorge area and even from as far away as Bolivia. The week finishes with the Patron Saint's Day religious festivity.

TOURISM AND CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS

The Dams of Ciénaga and Las Maderas
In these real lakes you can practise water sports. You also find a swimming pool, sport fields, horseback rides and other activities, all at your disposal.

The first is the smaller and the second is in the shape of a hand. The local fishermen call them the first and second finger. Both dams can be seen from the gravel road that connects Jujuy with Salta. It is a good place to catch atherines.

Access is through the Nº 9 National Route, and then down a takeoff on Ruta Provincial Nº 62 or Nº 51 Provintial Routes. Most of the road is paved with only a few parts of dirt.

Other alternative activities to undertake: trekking, biking, observation of flora and fauna, walks, white water rafting and photo safaris.

By the La Ciénaga dam there is a nice and small hostelry, which offers rooms, a restaurant and a coffee and pastry shop. Below the wall of the dam there is a camping site with capacity for more than 1,000 people.

The camping site has the biggest bathing facilities in the whole Province, with barbecue grills, bathrooms and showers, electric grid, volleyball, soccer and basketball fields, and offers botanic excursions, horseback rides and, of course, the hire of tents and bungalows.

Fishing spots are to be found in the Río Lavallén and the Río San Francisco (season runs from March 30th through November 30th.) and here you will find catfish, bogas, dorados, surubís, armados, dentudos and pacús.

You can find atherines in the Yale Lake. Only open Saturdays and Sundays between 07:00 AM and midnight.