One of the oldest and most picturesque towns in the Province of Jujuy is the town of El Carmen. Its importance in the local economy stems from the cultivation of tobacco, livestock breeding and its vineyards producing very good wines.

Towards the end of the XVIIIth century a public oratorio dedicated to the Virgin of Carmen was built in this place. The place became more and more known as the Perico del Carmen. During the following century, a 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 economic boom caused by the tobacco crop and the subsequent real estate investments.

Located between the intersection of the National Routes Ruta Nacional Nº 9 and Ruta Nacional Nº 66, at 44 kilometres 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 8600 people.

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

TOURISM AND CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS

The Dams of Ciénaga and Las Maderas
These are real lakes where you can practise water sports. There is also a swimming pool, sport fields, horseback rides and other activities.

Te 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 a gravel road that connects Jujuy to Salta. An ideal place to fish for freshwater atherines.

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

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

By the La Ciénaga dam there is a small hostelry, which offer rooms, a restaurant and a coffee and pastry shop. And below the wall of the dam there is a camping site with capacity for more than 1000 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 botany excursions, horseback rides, and the hire of tents and bungalows.

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

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