Most administrative offices related to economic activities that take place in other parts of the province are located here; these activities include petroleum extraction and pre-processing, sugarcane and sugar industry (Ledesma), tobacco (El Carmen, 10 km (6.2 mi) south), steel (in nearby Villa Palpalá), citrus, and fruit and vegetable production for local consumption.

The Gobernador Horacio Guzmán International Airport (IATA: JUJ, ICAO: SASJ) at coordinates 24°24′00″S 65°05′00″W / 24.40000°S 65.08333°W / -24.40000; -65.08333, is 33 km (21 mi) southeast of the city (in Ciudad Perico) and has regular flights to Buenos Aires.

The settlement initially developed as a strategic site on the mule trade route between San Miguel de Tucumán and the silver mines in Potosí, Bolivia.

Reaching its peak importance during the colonial period, San Salvador de Jujuy declined to the status of a remote provincial capital after the Argentine Declaration of Independence in 1816.

The city was the location of a number of Argentine films, including Veronico Cruz (1988) and Una estrella y dos cafés (2005).

During heat waves, temperatures can sometimes reach 35 °C (95 °F) but these are not frequent and nights always bring significant cooling, as opposed to many low-lying areas in Northern Argentina.