The Jujuy Tourism Secretariat is implementing a plan of actions to consolidate the Green Corridor of the Jujuy Yungas, a circuit that integrates the La Reina Provincial Park and towns such as San Juan de Dios, Santa Clara, El Fuerte, Villamonte, Palma Sola, and El Piquete.
The initiative aims to strengthen active tourism and nature tourism, taking advantage of the exceptional conditions of this mountain jungle and subtropical forest ecoregion.
The San Francisco River is presented as one of the main attractions and articulators of the landscape, accompanied by provincial and municipal protected areas, both public and private.
Plan Stages
The project includes several phases:
- Participatory workshops with local stakeholders.
- Territorial surveys of trails, viewpoints, and tourist activities.
- Strengthening of tourism service providers.
- Communication and positioning strategy of the corridor.
The first workshops were held in El Fuerte, Villamonte, and Palma Sola, and today meetings are added in Santa Clara, with the participation of representatives from San Juan de Dios and El Piquete.
Highlighted Tourist Attractions
The corridor connects with emblematic sites of the Jujuy Yungas:
- Calilegua National Park: the largest park dedicated to this ecoregion, with self-guided trails and native fauna watching.
- Río Jordán Hot Springs: natural thermal waters in the middle of the jungle, accessible through medium/high difficulty trekking.
- San Francisco and Valle Grande: rural towns ideal for horseback riding and community tourism.
- Yala Region: mountain landscapes and natural reserves near San Salvador de Jujuy.
Visitor Recommendations
- Best time: from May to November for trekking in the dry season; summer for waterfalls and vegetation at their peak.
- Logistics: access in less than two hours from San Salvador de Jujuy; for deep treks, it is mandatory to hire authorized local guides.
- What to bring: waterproof footwear, lightweight long-sleeve clothing, insect repellent, and sunscreen.
Ecological and Social Importance
The Jujuy Yungas occupy a small area of the country but concentrate about 50% of its biodiversity. Its relevance is sustained on four axes:
- Exceptional biodiversity: habitat of endangered species such as the jaguar, tapir, and taruca.
- Water regulation: they capture moisture and sustain the flow of rivers vital to the regional economy.
- Economic activity: they support the sugar and fruit agro-industry thanks to fertile soils and microclimates.
- Sustainable tourism: a development engine with adventure activities and wildlife observation.
The Green Corridor of the Jujuy Yungas represents a strategic opportunity to integrate conservation, tourism, and community development.
With workshops, reforestation, strengthening of providers, and promotion of natural attractions, the project seeks to consolidate a sustainable tourism model that preserves biodiversity and enhances the local economy.
