When traveling in Northern Argentina, a great city to visit that doesn’t get a lot of attention is Tucumán. Once a governmental center hopeful back in the 19th century and now a sugar farm mecca, this city of almost 900,000 people is a bustling, metropolitan center. It is not quite at the standards of Buenos Aires but is working hard to reach those levels.
The cosmopolitan locals like to come out in droves in the evenings. There is a beautiful main square, Plaza Independencia, that is a great place to sit and enjoy the many people strolling by. There are also street vendors and artists entertaining at times.
The plaza is outlined by beautiful, detailed European deco architecture. There are four main buildings, each having their own special look and color. The variation of detail and the colors, along with the landscaped park, make a lovely, unconventional landscape for the people of Tucumán.
The mid-19th-century architecture is of European quality and brings a certain class to this town that is not always evident in Latin America. There are folkloric and area-sensitive museums, as well as a home from the 18th century, Casa del Obispo Colombres, that describes and visualizes the historical life of the sugar plantation owner.
The nightlife of Tucumán is hopping. There are multiple hubs that one can visit. Near the main plaza is a four-block radius pedestrian mall, Mercado del Norte. In the evenings, cafés and bars open their doors and take up the wide streets with tables and chairs. It is an energetic atmosphere that helps bring on the late evening conversation and companionship that is customary in Argentina.
A few blocks from Mercado del Norte is Plaza Alberdi. Here you will find a large, multi-level restaurant, dance club and bar. The owners created the atmosphere to feel like an oasis. The drinks, food and people are all worth the visit.
When it comes to a place to lay your head for the night the entire range of stars is available. I personally stayed at the Tucumán Center (4 star). A similar place would cost a few hundred dollars per night in the States. We enjoyed a large room with a small kitchenette and oversized bathroom. The bed was huge, very comfortable, with soft sheets. Price: $70 per night. They also offer free high speed computer access.
When traveling through Northern Argentina, Tucumán should not be missed. The culture, class and people are definitely worth the stop.