Maimara is a small agricultural village of 3,000 inhabitants at 2,383 meters altitude in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy province, Argentina (lat -23.6214, lng -65.6789), just 5 km south of Tilcara and 80 km north of San Salvador de Jujuy via RN 9. Its fame comes from the Paleta del Pintor (Painter's Palette), a hill of multiple colors (red, orange, yellow, green, white, violet) formed by layers of mineral sediments creating an impressive natural painting visible from the road. The town features a charming hillside cemetery with tombs decorated with colorful flowers, irrigated terraced farmland, and a tranquility that contrasts with the tourist bustle of Tilcara. It is part of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Maimara you can easily reach Tilcara (5 km) and Humahuaca (50 km).
Getting there — distances & times
| From | Distance | Flight | Bus | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires (EZE) | 1500 km | 2 h 20 | 20–22 h | 15–17 h |
| New York (JFK) | 9400 km | 12 h + 2 h 20 layover | — | — |
| Madrid (MAD) | 11300 km | 14 h + 2 h 20 layover | — | — |
| São Paulo (GRU) | 2800 km | 4 h 30 | — | — |
| Córdoba | 890 km | 1 h 30 | 11–13 h | 9–10 h |
| Mendoza | 1200 km | 2 h | 17–19 h | 13–15 h |
Month-by-month climate
| Month | Temp. | Rain | Crowds | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16° / 28°C | 180 mm | Rainy summer | |
| Feb | 15° / 27°C | 155 mm | ||
| Mar | 14° / 26°C | 110 mm | ||
| Apr | 11° / 24°C | 30 mm | Dry season starts | |
| May | 8° / 22°C | 8 mm | ||
| Jun | 5° / 20°C | 3 mm | ||
| Jul | 4° / 20°C | 3 mm | Winter break | |
| Aug | 6° / 22°C | 5 mm | ||
| Sep | 9° / 25°C | 10 mm | Clear skies | |
| Oct | 12° / 27°C | 25 mm | ||
| Nov | 14° / 28°C | 60 mm | ||
| Dec | 16° / 28°C | 140 mm | Holidays |
Typical prices by category
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel/night | USD 15–25 | USD 50–90 | USD 150–350 |
| Food/day | USD 12–18 | USD 25–40 | USD 60–120 |
| Day tour | USD 40–55 | USD 60–90 | USD 120–200 |
| Car rental/day | USD 30–45 | USD 50–70 | USD 90–150 |
Approximate ranges in USD as of April 2026. May vary with Argentine peso exchange rate.
How to Get There
Maimara is on RN 9, the main Quebrada de Humahuaca road.
From Salta
260 km via RN 9 through Jujuy, 3.5-4 hours of paved road. Maimara is 5 km before Tilcara.
From Jujuy
80 km via RN 9, 1.5 hours. Good pavement.
Transport
Jujuy-Humahuaca buses stop in Maimara. You can also take a local bus from Tilcara (5 km, 10 minutes, very frequent). The Painter's Palette is visible from the road without stopping, but it is worth pulling over.
What to See and Do
The Painter's Palette
The hill flanking the west side of town is the star: geological layers of different minerals create bands of color ranging from intense red to green, passing through yellows, oranges, whites and violets. The best view is from RN 9 at the southern entrance to town, where there is a viewpoint with parking. Morning light (until 11:00) illuminates the hill head-on and saturates the colors. At sunset, raking light creates dramatic shadows.
Hillside Cemetery
Maimara's cemetery is built into the hillside facing the Painter's Palette. Tombs are decorated with brightly colored artificial flowers that create a unique visual contrast against the multicolored hill behind. It is an active cemetery; respect families visiting. The cemetery offers good valley views.
Village Walk
Maimara is an authentic, quiet village without Tilcara's tourist infrastructure. Dirt streets, adobe houses, fields of corn, beans and flowers. Walking through town is experiencing Quebrada rural life without tourist filters. There are a couple of family restaurants and craft stalls.
Photography
Maimara is one of the most photographed spots in the Quebrada. The combination of multicolored hill, adobe village, colorful cemetery and green irrigated valley creates extraordinary compositions. Professional photographers recommend visiting at sunrise or sunset.
When to Visit
- Fall (March-May): Golden light, harvest in the fields, clear skies. Best months for photography.
- Winter (June-August): Sunny days, crystal-clear air, saturated colors. Cold nights. Peak season in July.
- Spring (September-November): Green fields, pleasant temperatures, few tourists.
- Summer (December-February): Rains that can obscure views. Fields at peak green. Moderate heat.
Practical Information
Accommodation
Maimara has few lodging options: some cabins and family homes. Most travelers stay in Tilcara (5 km), which has a wide range of hostels, inns and boutique hotels.
Dining
Family-run restaurants with basic regional food. For more variety, Tilcara is 5 km away with dozens of restaurants.
Budget
Visiting Maimara is free. The Painter's Palette viewpoint has open access. No tickets or tolls. Only spending is transport and food.
Visit Duration
1-2 hours are enough to see the viewpoint, cemetery and village. Easily combined with Tilcara on the same day.
