Located 67 kilometres west of La Quiaca, on an elevated plateau with mountain ranges around and some lower hills in the centre, the attentive traveller will find a picturesque village with a tradition of mining where the old gold veins and the possibility of panning for gold sand in the river still lures the temptation of visitors.

Santa Catalina is one of the many mining settlements in the Puna highlands of Jujuy, which owe its origin to the XVIIth century and which reached a position of importance because of its mineral riches. In the year 1756 it was named an independent curate under Cochinoca, incorporating the chapels of Rinconada and Talna.

As other towns in the Puna highlands, the first half of the XIXth century was disastrous. However, in 1859, in a pastoral visit it was described as having a large and comfortable church, with three however old altars.

In its heyday, the gold mining made Santa Catalina an important commercial centre. We even have the testimony of a member of the Geographic Institute of Córdoba, who mentions that in this remote village there were always businessmen and one could buy the most exquisite German beer.

Its streets are paved in stone and its old church dates back to the XVIIth century and is located facing the main square, side by side with the old mansion of the Saravia family, with which it makes up an architectural complex of interest.

The tower, like a three-tiered telescope is as wide as the church itself, i.e. ten metres, and is built above the front door. The atrium. On the other hand is placed within the tower itself, followed by a 30 metres long nave, which old altars have been replaced by newer ones.

The climate in Santa Catalina is cold and dry with occasional rainfall during the southern hemisphere summer. There is little variety of flora and fauna. In the High Altitude Botanical Garden, the Regional botanical park, you will find some specimens of the most variegated species from the highlands.

The locals breed llamas, sheep and goats. Peaches, apples and plums are cultivated. The close by river is a good place to go angling for trout.

It is important that the traveller know that there is no restaurants or hotels in Santa Catalina with the exception of the Municipal Shelter, which offers the bare minimum of comfort.