Santa Maria is a quiet and beautiful town in Catamarca state, in the Andean Northwest region of Argentina, near the border with Salta and Tucuman states.
Not being a popular tourist town like Tafi or Amaicha, you can find good prices for accommodation and food.
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From Buenos Aires you have to take a bus or fly to Tucuman. Santa Maria is 180 Km. from there. You have a 3-hour drive from Tucuman, or you can take a bus that will get you there in 4 to 5 hours.
If you go to Salta, you have a 3½-hour drive. This is the best option. You can take also a bus, but it makes to many stops so your trip never ends.
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Santa Maria is a beautiful valley with a nice weather. Best time to go is spring/summer. Sun is king there and it is an excellent place to relax and for a change of scenery.
Surrounding the town you can find many archaeological ruins and small vineyards and wineries where you can get excellent wine.
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From here you can visit the Ruinas de Quilmes, an ancient Indian town, and Amaicha del Valle.