At the end of National Route - Ruta Nacional Nº 9, at 3442 m.a.s.l, and 289 kilometres from San Salvador de Jujuy, at the border of Bolivia, with which it connects through an international bridge lies the small town of La Quiaca, capital of the Department of Yavi.

During the XVIIIth century, the Río La Quiaca River divided the Provinces of Jujuy and Chichas, and today it constitutes the border between Argentina and Bolivia. It has a Puna highland climate. Given its situation as a border town many commercial outlets and shops where installed since the start of the XXth century, revitalising the trade between the two countries.

From a historical viewpoint it acquired its importance due to the occupation of the area by the troops of the Mariscal Andrés de Santa Cruz, during the brief invasion of the Peruvian-Bolivian confederacy.

The buildings in the town lie in a valley surrounded by mountains and are mostly made of white washed adobes or the typical bricks that can be found in the whole of the northern part of Argentina. Travellers cannot help but be attracted by the way people live, the characteristic clothing of the women and men, and the active trade in local products.

In 1908 the Ferrocarril Central Norte Railroad came through the Puna highland and reached the border, at which the border station was built, bearing the same name as the river. There is also a three arch viaduct bridge crossing the Río La Quiaca River.

With time, La Quiaca grew and it acquired more importance from the midst of the XXth century onwards. At the same time, on the opposite side of the border, the town of Villazón grew, owing its name to the Bolivian President Eliodoro Villazón.

La Quiaca comes from the Aymara indigenous language Quisca, which means a stone shearing tool. Today it is a never-ending sea of peoples from the highlands with their diversity of clothing lending a colourful touch to the scenery. It is the only town in the northernmost Puna highland part that can offer the traveller all the possible comforts and services he or she may need.

The river bank and the railroad installations divides Quiaca into two parts: the western part is the one most frequented by travellers: here you will find the hotels, the bus terminal, the hospital, the church and the Police Headquarters; to the east you will find the Municipality and the marketplace, both which contribute to the colourful and populous scenery on a daily basis.

The town is connected to San Salvador de Jujuy through a bus line that takes a roundabout route through Yavi, Barrios and Cangrejillos, before it hits the National Route Nº 40.

Between the second and third Sunday of October, all the inhabitants, coming from the most remote corners of the region come together to partake in the Festivity of the Pot - Fiesta de la Olla o Manca Fiesta, an important celebration in the Province. The town owes its importance in the area due to its fantastic Puna highland landscape, apart from harbouring the necessary infrastructure of accommodations, restaurants and excellent opportunities for tours, as for example the observation of the local plant and wild life at the Laguna de los Pozuelos Lake.

GENERAL SERVICES
This border town, of ethnographic and cultural interest, is a good central place from where to start out or rest up after making tours in the surroundings, although it still lacks some time before it becomes a fully developed supply centre. However there are many places for tourists to sleep and eat well.
Whenever you travel in your own or a rented vehicle in the area it is a good idea to keep in mind that La Quiaca is the appropriate place where to service and fill up the tank of your vehicle.

BORDER SERVICES AND REQUIREMENTS
The border police, customs and migrations work around the clock.
What you will need to enter Argentina (for people driving their own cars for purposes of tourism):

Persons
Valid Passport.
Drivers Licence.
Tourists have to fill in a temporary admission card for tourists).

Vehicle
International Border Crossing Customs Permit.
Vehicle Ownership Card. (If rented, the corresponding authorisation).

HOW TO GET THERE BY ROAD
If you are driving up from the southern part of the Province of Jujuy, you must start out by first acceding to the Quebrada circuit before entering the Puna circuit, through the well-known National Route Nº 9. It is important to take into account that the Quebrada road may be out of commission during some short periods during the southern hemisphere rains.

TOURING THE CITY
The International Border Bridge
This bridge, which crosses the course of the Río La Quiaca River, will give the traveller a very interesting panoramic view over the imposing and dry landscape. The necessary documents to cross the border are, in the case of Argentinean citizens the ID document emitted by the Federal police. If you are travelling in your own car, they will ask for your driver's licence, the Vehicle Green Card and proof that your insurance and circulation permit are up to date.

The Main Square
Around the Plaza of the city you will find shops and fairs belonging to the local people, which gives the place a special atmosphere. Here in the stalls you will be able to find handicrafts, baskets and pieces of clothing such as hand made ponchos and weavings. You will also be able to try exquisitely tasty sweets and pastries. Handicrafts are an important economic activity in the Puna highlands, and its ceramics made of natural clays is justly famous. The basket work with its simple and clean lines and shapes are a delight.

The Iglesia de La Quiaca Church
The tower of the Iglesia de La Quiaca Church, with its impressive view is a place well worth visiting.

The Sansana Archaeological site
Eric Boman was the first investigator to visit the ruins of Sansana. In 1908 he describes having seen dry stonewalls forming squares two by two metres on top of a hill at which foot there was a small stream. Three graves were found, two with adults and one of a child in a sitting foetal position. The local parish priest Luis Massing can show you an important collection of archaeological items found in the area.

It is located very close to the town of La Quiaca.
A dirt road will get you there.
The best time to visit is during the southern hemisphere winter months because of the summer rains, but access is possible most of the year.
Activities that can be carried out: wild and bird life observation, photography, walks and horseback riding tours.

The Festivity of the Pot - La Fiesta de la Olla or the Manca Fiesta
A traditional event in La Quiaca. It takes place on the third and fourth Sunday in October. Merchants from all over the Puna highlands come together here. It is the most important fair where barter still takes place together with the one at Iruya. Here meat, wool, hides and handicrafts are bartered.

During this occasion there is s ceremony to celebrate the fertility of the land, with confetti and flower filled clay pots. This is the only indigenous American manifestation of this type in the whole of Argentina. Another big typical festivity in La Quiaca is the carnival, which is visited by many tourists.