Cafayate

Visit Cafayate for Torrontés wine, colonial-style architecture and drives through the Calchaquí Valleys.

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Cafayate is a town in Salta province, northwestern Argentina, in the central Valles Calchaquíes. At about 1,683 metres (5,522 feet) above sea level, it is best known for wine, especially Torrontés, the area’s most characteristic variety. Wine cellars in town are open to visitors, and many offer free guided tours. Cafayate has a laid-back pace and colonial-style architecture. It was founded in 1840 on the site of a mission.

Use Cafayate as a base for the Valley of the Río las Conchas, also called Quebrada de Cafayate. Paved National Route 68 runs about 183 km (114 miles) between Salta and Cafayate, passing many of the valley’s main sights. Route 40 runs about 165 km (103 miles) from Cafayate to Cachi; that stretch is unpaved and should be avoided in the rainy season. Other places to visit from town include Molinos, Tolombón and the San Isidro ranch. The valleys have a dry, mild climate, with less than 250 mm of rain a year on average.

Cafayate in five

Take paved Route 68 from SaltaThe paved road runs about 183 km between Salta and Cafayate, passing sights in the Río las Conchas valley.
Avoid Route 40 in the rainy seasonThe road from Cafayate to Cachi is unpaved for about 165 km. Avoid this stretch in the rainy season.
Try Torrontés at a local cellarTorrontés is the area's most characteristic wine. Cellars in town are open to visitors, and many offer free guided tours.
Allow for the altitudeCafayate sits about 1,683 metres above sea level.
Use Cafayate as a valley baseThe town is in the central Valles Calchaquíes. The Río las Conchas valley, Cachi, Molinos and Tolombón are among the places to visit.

Things to do in Cafayate

See all attractions in Cafayate

Museum · CafayateMuseum of the Vine and Wine of Cafayate, Salta, Argentina

Sight · CafayateMuseo Arqueológico

Sight · CafayatePiattelli

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Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryRain17 rainy daysHigh30°Low19°Summer
FebruaryRain15 rainy daysHigh29°Low19°Summer
MarchRain16 rainy daysHigh27°Low17°Harvest season
AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Autumn
MayPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh20°Low10°Mild, dry
JuneClear4 rainy daysHigh19°Low7°Winter
JulyClear3 rainy daysHigh20°Low7°Winter
AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh23°Low9°Winter
SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh26°Low12°Spring
OctoberClear8 rainy daysHigh28°Low15°Spring
NovemberRain12 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low17°Spring
DecemberRain14 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low18°Summer

Average daily high and low in Cafayate, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Cafayate

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 26°
Humidity: 29%
Wind: 11 km/h
Chance of rain: 84%

Cafayate

05:43 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-3

Today25°15°84%Monday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 84%.
Tue30°16°92%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 92%.
Wed25°15°21%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 21%.
Thu21°14°54%Thursday: Drizzle. High 21°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 54%.
Fri30°12°42%Friday: Cloudy. High 30°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 42%.
Sat18°11°67%Saturday: Drizzle. High 18°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 67%.
Sun24°12°22%Sunday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 22%.

Updated 01:57 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,537 ARS

Amount

Converted to

ARS · Argentine Peso

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Río las Conchas valleySee many of the area's main sights along the route between Cafayate and Salta.
CachiVisit a well-known place in the Calchaquíes valleys via unpaved Route 40. Avoid the route in the rainy season.
MolinosVisit Molinos, one of the places to explore from Cafayate.
TolombónVisit Tolombón from Cafayate.

Before you go to Cafayate

eSIM for ArgentinaData for valley road tripsRead the guide

Travel insuranceCover for your Argentina tripRead the guide

Money and costsCards and spending in ArgentinaRead the guide

Where to stayChoose your baseRead the guide

Rules for Cafayate, checked

Check entry requirements for your passport with Argentina’s National Directorate of Migration before you travel.Source
Avoid the unpaved Route 40 between Cafayate and Cachi in the rainy season.
Many wineries offer free guided tours. Check with a cellar for visit details.

Plan around Cafayate

Getting around Argentina

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Cafayate FAQ

How many days do you need in Cafayate?

The time you need depends on how many wine cellars and nearby places you plan to visit. Cafayate is a base for the Río las Conchas valley, Cachi, Molinos and Tolombón.

Is Cafayate worth visiting?

Cafayate is known for Torrontés and is a base for exploring the Valles Calchaquíes. Wine cellars in town are open to visitors, and many offer free guided tours.

How do you get from Salta to Cafayate?

Paved National Route 68 runs about 183 km between Salta and Cafayate, passing sights in the Río las Conchas valley.

Can you drive from Cafayate to Cachi?

Route 40 runs about 165 km from Cafayate to Cachi. The stretch is unpaved and should be avoided in the rainy season.

What wine is Cafayate known for?

Torrontés is the most characteristic wine grown around Cafayate. Cellars in town are open to visitors, and many offer free guided tours.

How high is Cafayate?

The town sits about 1,683 metres above sea level.