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Laguna Santa Maria

Laguna Santa Maria (Argentina)

Practical information on Laguna Santa Maria

  • Nature Reserve / Wildlife Observation / Safari
  • Desert
  • Lake
4 / 5 - 2 reviews
How to get there
65 km by car from Tolar Grande
When to go
All year round
Minimum stay
Half a day

Reviews of Laguna Santa Maria

Caroline Gourmaud Seasoned Traveller
221 written opinions

Laguna Santa Maria is an amazing salt lake in the heart of Salta province, not far from the Chilean frontier.

My suggestion:
Get to Laguna Santa Maria at dawn if you want to see the colonies of pink flamingoes drinking on its shores.
My review

A few kilometres from Tolar Grande, in the heart of Salta province in the north west of Argentina, is the truly beautiful Lake Santa Maria. It is bordered by the Arizaro salt desert and Incahuasi volcano, which make Laguna Grande one of those natural wonders that leave you speechless.

The lake is surrounded by salt crusts and is the watering place for numerous pink flamingoes and vicuñas which live in the area. The blue water of Laguna Santa Maria contrasts with the red and ochre rocks that are so typical of the countryside of Northwest Argentina to form an almost surrealist countryside, like something created by a painter. If you want to see the wildlife and avoid the tourists then you should get there at dawn. Santa Maria Lake is one of those places where you feel at one with nature. Somewhere to see time and again...

Countryside around Tolar Grande
Caroline Gourmaud Seasoned Traveller
221 written opinions

Laguna Santa Maria is an amazing salt lake in the heart of Salta province, not far from the Chilean frontier.

My suggestion:
Get to Laguna Santa Maria at dawn if you want to see the colonies of pink flamingoes drinking on its shores.
My review

A few kilometres from Tolar Grande, in the heart of Salta province in the north west of Argentina, is the truly beautiful Lake Santa Maria. It is bordered by the Arizaro salt desert and Incahuasi volcano, which make Laguna Grande one of those natural wonders that leave you speechless.

The lake is surrounded by salt crusts and is the watering place for numerous pink flamingoes and vicuñas which live in the area. The blue water of Laguna Santa Maria contrasts with the red and ochre rocks that are so typical of the countryside of Northwest Argentina to form an almost surrealist countryside, like something created by a painter. If you want to see the wildlife and avoid the tourists then you should get there at dawn. Santa Maria Lake is one of those places where you feel at one with nature. Somewhere to see time and again...

Countryside around Tolar Grande