Quilmes Ruins (Ruinas de Quilmes)

Quilmes Ruins (Ruinas de Quilmes)

Quilmes Ruins (Ruinas de Quilmes)
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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1 within 6 miles
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.

4.5
804 reviews
Excellent
498
Very good
249
Average
44
Poor
9
Terrible
5

Deborah T
Chicago, IL1,126 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
The site of the Quilmes Ruins in the province of Tucumán was once the largest pre-Columbian settlement in the country. It dates back to 500 AD and was inhabited by the Quilmes people. They resisted Inca invasions in the 15th century and fought the Spanish for 130 years. In the end in 1667 they were exiled and forced to walk with little supplies to Buenos Aires some 1200 kilometers away. Only a few survived.

There is a nice, small museum worth a visit with displays of some pottery found at the site. Unfortunately the site was rebuilt in the 1970s for tourism purposes so archaeological practices were not followed. The very little that is left can be seen way at the very top (viewed with zoom lense) where it is believed that the Quilmes chief resided.
Written March 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kesit0
Buenos Aires, Argentina593 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
An absolute must to visit! First in the museum a movie will explain the sad history of the Quilmes tribe and walking through these ruins will give you an idea on how big their living spaces were.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bob P
Mendoza, Argentina89 contributions
Dec 2019
If you are from the US, think Chaco Canyon. This is a spectacular site that is different sort of remote than Chaco. The entire area near the Quilmes Ruins is remote. Tourists are generally brought to the region by the excellent wines and stunning natural beauty. We virtually stumbled onto these. The government has done an excellent job of making these accessible and provides some good introductory information. It would be easy to spend a half day roaming over the area.
Written December 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MRS565
Tauranga, New Zealand213 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
An important archaeological site from pre-European and pre-Inca times which is very under-developed. It costs 50 pesos each to get in. Two signboards gave minimal information, and only in Spanish. It would have been interesting to see and hear more about those who used to live there, more of their story, more about the forced march to Buenos Aires. What did they look like? What did they do? How did they manage to avoid being conquered by the Incas? Perhaps it's time to create a proper museum with interactive displays?
On a very hot day there is minimal shade on this site, so take plenty of water. There is no cafe, so bring your own food. The paths have a lot of loose rock, so it you have a walking pole, use it. The views from higher up are well worth the climb, though!
Written February 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

rictraveler2014
Richmond, VA40 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
We visited these ruins from Cafayate in December. The earliest ruins date from the 8thC (prior to Inca conquest), but purportedly also have remnants of Inca building. While there are only walls at the site, they are evocative and you can easily understand why this city was never conquered by the Spanish by war. I believe that the remaining inhabitants after conquest were resettled in Buenos Aires (hence the name of that section of the city)/
Unfortunately the museum was not open at our visit but we saw some fascinating relics and sculptures by peeking through the windows. For the archeology or history buff this is an must see.
FYI, it does require several km of driving on dirt/gravel road to reach the ruins.
Written January 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jjllau
Buenos Aires, Argentina99 contributions
Jul 2019
This place is really amazing. I have visited it many years ago, but today is better than ever. An information center with top of the world audiovisual infrastructure enables you to dive deep and have a good understanding of the Quilmes society and the value of this amazing archeological site.
Written August 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Beth R
Alaska267 contributions
Feb 2019
If you are in Cafayate and want to know some of the indigenous history of this region, I highly recommend going to the Ancient City of the Quilmes. Due to several disputes surrounding the management of this site, it only opened to the public in 2018. But the quality of the museum and the film (English subtitles) in one of the salons is quite good. If you are an English speaker, ask for a reference guides in English. Otherwise, you will be a little lost in the museum with their detailed history.

This reconstructed site tells the story of an advanced civilization that inhabited the land beginning thousands of years ago, and fought off the Spanish for 130 years. They had their own Trail of Tears and were relocated to Buenos Aires as slaves.

Today, the reconstruction is impressive, and the site hires locals from the Quilme nation to staff and act as guides. There are also local crafts people there. We hired a Spanish speaking guide, who provided an excellent overview of the history, the site and the people today. I don’t know if there are truly bilingual guides.

The Quilme archeological site is both a representation of the past and a way for the indigenous people to reclaim their knowledge and identity and to share their culture with others.
Written February 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lotti B
28 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
we stopped by on our way to chanarmuyo. There a no your guides which can speak English but the English handout is interesting. Overall interesting site.
Written October 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lucianobotticelli
London, UK104 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
La visita fue sumamente interesante, los nativos nos guiaron por las ruinas explicando muy detalladamente la historia de los Quilmes. El lugar se conserva bien. Muy recomendable la visita si estan en Cafayate o si van viajando

The visit was really interesting, the natives guide us through the ruins explaining with many details the history of Quilmes. The place is kept in good shape. Strongly recommended the visit if you are in Cafayate or travelling
Written June 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DalianEx-pat
Comox Valley, Canada83 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
The whole site is well presented and well maintained. The English pamphlet describes the Quimes peoples' plight from pre-Inca to modern times. Get the pamphlet at the gate where you pay admission.

We spent three hours here however 1.5 to 2 hours would suit some folks.
Written November 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Quilmes Ruins (Ruinas de Quilmes), Amaicha del Valle

Frequently Asked Questions about Quilmes Ruins (Ruinas de Quilmes)

Quilmes Ruins (Ruinas de Quilmes) is open:
  • Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM