City of Salta: Alpaca and leather handicraft workshop in the open air!

This workshop is interesting because you turn plain materials into a personal accessory in real time, with the technique taught right in front of you. I especially like the alpaca embossing element and the setting, outdoors at the foot of San Bernardo hill.

I also love that you get to share mate while Carlos guides you through the steps, whether you choose a billetera, card holder, or bracelet. The main consideration is simple: it is 100% outdoors, so you’ll want to be ready for sun and insects.

Key things that make this workshop worth your time

• Small group size (up to 4), which means you actually get hands-on help while you work
• Carlos teaching the embossing technique, not just handing you a souvenir kit
• Your choice of item: billetera, card holder, or bracelet
• Mate is included, and the workshop includes time to learn how to prepare and drink it
• 100% Argentine leather plus alpaca metal, so the result feels like a real product
• Outdoors under the Güemes monument, with nature all around you while you work

A hands-on craft stop at San Bernardo’s foot

If you’re in Salta and want something more personal than another photo stop, this is a great pick. You meet outdoors on the steps at the foot of the Martín Miguel de Güemes monument, with San Bernardo hill nearby. The whole vibe is calm and practical: you make, you learn, you take something home that looks like it came from an artisan shop.

What makes it feel authentic is that it is not a lecture. It is technique plus your own choices. You work with noble materials, alpaca metal for embossing and 100% Argentine leather for the base, and you shape the final piece around what you picked.

What you’ll make: billetera, card holder, or bracelet

You’ll choose your creation before you start, and that choice matters because it changes how you handle the leather and where the embossing shows up best.

Here are the options:

• Billetera (wallet): practical and elegant, made for carrying cash and cards
• Card holder: ideal if your main goal is organizing your daily carry
• Bracelet: a wearable souvenir that turns your embossing into something you can use immediately

This is one of my favorite parts of the workshop. You can pick the item that matches your actual travel life, not just what sounds fun in the moment. If you’re tired of “nice but useless” souvenirs, this one avoids that problem.

Outside setting and how the workshop runs in the open air

The workshop is designed to be enjoyed outdoors, which is a big deal. The meeting and the crafting both happen outside, at the foot of San Bernardo hill. That means the experience feels connected to the place, but you also need to plan your body and your gear around the weather.

The workshop is a small group, limited to 4 participants, and that keeps things unhurried. You can ask questions without feeling rushed, and you’re not watching through glass while someone else does the work. Carlos works with you through the process, explaining what to do and then letting you apply it.

A useful expectation to set: you’re not just observing a craft. You’re performing it, which can be slightly hands-on and physical for your hands. Plan on standing for part of the session, and dress like you’re doing a short activity, not like you’re heading to dinner.

Alpaca embossing on Argentine leather, step by step

The core of the experience is the technique of alpaca embossing applied to high-quality Argentine leather. In simple terms, you use the alpaca metal to create raised impressions on the leather, then you build a finished accessory that looks custom because it is custom.

Here’s how the flow feels from start to finish:

1. Get set up and choose your item

You’ll start with materials and the right tools. Then you move into the technique, with your item in mind so you don’t waste effort on the wrong shape or layout.

1. Learn how to prepare the leather and work the impressions

Proper preparation is part of the craft. Carlos focuses on the details that make embossing look clean rather than messy. You’ll get guidance on how to position and handle things as you go.

1. Do the embossing with coaching as you work

This is where the experience turns from learning to doing. You’ll emboss your design using the technique you’re taught, and Carlos helps you through the parts that feel tricky. Multiple people highlight that he’s good at balancing instruction with letting you create.

1. Finish your piece and take it away

The materials and tools are included, so you’re not sourcing anything on your own. When you finish, you leave with a personalized accessory you made with your own hands.

One thing to know up front: embossing can be fiddly. That’s normal. If you’re patient and you enjoy “slow craftsmanship,” you’ll get a lot out of this. If you’re expecting instant results with zero concentration, you might find it a bit more demanding than a casual walk-up tour.

Mate in the mix: why this craft workshop feels personal

Many craft workshops give you a quick cultural snack and move on. Here, mate is woven into the experience, and Carlos doesn’t treat it like an accessory.

You’ll drink mate during the workshop, and the session includes teaching on the proper way to prepare and drink it. That turns a simple beverage into a small cultural lesson you actually use later. It also gives you a natural break from concentrating on fine handwork.

What I like about the mate part is that it matches the mood of the workshop. You’re outdoors, you’re learning a traditional craft, and you’re sharing time with the instructor. It feels human, not performative.

Price and value: what $22 gets you in Salta

At $22 per person, this is priced like a focused artisan session, not a big-ticket “tour” with lots of overhead. And you get more than a demo. You get materials, necessary tools, and the chance to create one of three items.

Value comes from three places:

• You make something tangible: billetera, card holder, or bracelet, not just a photo souvenir
• You learn a technique: embossing on Argentine leather, with step-by-step guidance
• You get small-group attention: limited to 4 participants, so instruction can stay personal

Also, the inclusion of mate means you’re not paying extra for a cultural add-on. You’re already part of the experience while you work.

Is it worth it if you only have limited time? If you can spare around two hours, yes. The session is short enough to fit into a day in Salta, and the result justifies the time.

Practical tips so you can enjoy it outdoors

Because the workshop is 100% outdoors, your comfort will shape your experience more than you might think. The recommendations are straightforward, and I’d follow them closely.

Bring:

• Hat
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Biodegradable insect repellent
• Comfortable clothes

A few extra practical thoughts:

• Go lighter on anything restrictive. You’ll likely be handling tools and working close to your materials.
• If you’re sensitive to bites, repellent is not optional. The workshop is in nature at the foot of a hill, so insects can happen.
• Sunscreen matters even if you think the light is mild. Outdoor sessions add up.

Who should skip it for comfort reasons? It is not suitable for people with insect allergies. It’s also not suitable for mobility impairments or visually impaired people, since the activity is outdoors and hands-on.

Who this workshop suits best (and who might not)

This is a strong fit if you:

• Want an authentic craft experience in Salta, not just sightseeing
• Like making things with your hands and watching your progress
• Want a useful souvenir you will actually carry, wear, or give away
• Enjoy conversational, friendly instruction, like the style Carlos is known for

It may be less ideal if you:

• Need a fully seated, low-mobility activity
• Want something very fast and low-focus
• Are traveling with young children, since it’s not suitable for children under 10

If you’re the type who enjoys learning small cultural skills, mate included, you’ll probably leave with more than a crafted item. You’ll have a story you can explain, and a technique you can appreciate even if you never repeat it at home.

Should you book City of Salta’s alpaca and leather workshop?

Book it if you want a hands-on souvenir that is actually useful, and you like the idea of learning the craft behind the look. The small group size, the coaching from Carlos, and the combination of alpaca embossing plus mate make it feel like a real experience rather than a rushed stop.

Skip it if you’re dealing with strong insect allergies, need accessibility accommodations, or you’re not up for an outdoor session in the sun and nature. If those conditions don’t apply, this is one of the most satisfying ways to spend a couple of hours in Salta, because you leave holding something you made.

FAQ

Where does the workshop meet?

You meet at the steps at the foot of the Martín Miguel de Güemes monument. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What do I make in the workshop?

You choose one: billetera (wallet), card holder, or a bracelet.

How long does the workshop last?

The workshop runs for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The full activity time is listed as 2 hours, so check available starting times.

Is the workshop indoors or outdoors?

It is 100% outdoors.

What’s included in the price?

Materials and necessary tools are included, along with alpaca metal for embossing, 100% Argentine leather, and mate.

Who teaches the workshop, and what languages are available?

An instructor teaches the workshop in English and Spanish.

How big is the group?

The group is limited to 4 participants.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, comfortable clothes, biodegradable sunscreen, and biodegradable insect repellent.

What is not allowed during the workshop?

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Is it suitable for kids or people with accessibility needs?

It is not suitable for children under 10. It is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments or for visually impaired people.