The Best Things to Do in Salta, Argentina: El Teleferico

There are plenty of things to do in Salta, Argentina. As you come over the mountains and catch your first glimpse if this small city, you will immediately see El Teleferico. Salta, Argentina offers many adventure type tours including rafting, rappelling, bungee jumping and hiking. However, El Teleferico is a mild adventure that people of all ages and athletic abilities can enjoy.

El Teleferico is one of those lazy; let's kill a couple of hours, best things to do in Salta, Argentina. A definite must see. It is impossible to appreciate the amazing mountain views from inside the basin, where the city sits. In operation since, 1987, this Swiss made machine takes you up and down San Bernardo Hill.

You can ride El Teleferico up the hill, down the hill, or both. Once you get to the top you can hang out and look at the views. Each way currently cost $10 pesos, $20 pesos for the round trip. It takes about 10 minutes each way. Each car holds up to 6 people. However, I was vacationing in Salta, Argentina in May (the offseason) and my boyfriend and I had a car all to ourselves (I will save you the intimate details). Our ride up was quiet, but our ride down had some cheesy tourist recording that ran in a loop. The view is the same both ways. You can also take a cheap taxi ride or the bus one way.

Once at the top of San Bernardo Hill, you can get out and look around, take pictures, use the clean restrooms and whatnot. The grounds and gardens are perfectly manicured. Pathways take you around the circular area and panoramic views abound. Apparently, running or biking up this hill is a popular thing to do in Salta, Argentina because there is a small workout and stretching area.

The main attractions at the top of San Bernardo Hill, other than the spectacular view, are the water feature and the café. The water feature is a man made waterfall, with paths running through it. It gives a nice Feng Shui feel and sound to the area.

We went to the café, which offers outdoor and indoor tables that look out over the city of Salta, Argentina and the surrounding mountainous landscape. A small menu offers a few things to eat, and also a small variety of beer. We, of course, had a liter of Stella Artois. The price was actually reasonable and similar to a casual pizza restaurant in Buenos Aires. I highly recommend hanging there for a minute sipping a cold beverage and enjoying the view.

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