Salta is close to a world apart, Jujuy, is even further!
Salta is probably one of the best kept colonial cities in America, with an incredible architecture, very hospitable people and a very rich culture. As mentioned before, Salta is the gateway to the northern Argentinean culture (I would consider Tucuman, but it means including a few more days to a trip, and a more complex society and historic events, and also a lot of wine tastings coming from the South).
The rhythm in the region is slooooooooooow. But justifiable, since you'll always be at important altitudes, and if you are not used to them, after one day, you will want everything to be very slow.
The city is very safe, cheaper than Buenos Aires, has one of the best Universities in Argentina and offers a pretty interesting cultural life.
I was there last week, so if anyone needs up to date info, just contact me. I was there on a scouting trip to organize a photography workshop, so have really good tourism "insides" and some local contacts.
In Salta, you HAVE to visit the mommies museum, called Museo de Antropología de Alta Montaña (MAAM), in front of the main square. Also the MAC (contemporary art museum) is really worth it, and across the square. If you have time and money, I also strongly recommend going to the Hess Foundation in Colome. And of course, the trip to the Jujuy province is a unique experience, especially Quebrada de Humahuaca and Salina Grande.
