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capital city of Cajamarca, Peru
South America > Peru > Northern Sierra (Peru) > Cajamarca

Cajamarca is in the northern highlands of Peru.

Night in the Plaza de Armas

Understand

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It is approximately 2,700 m (8,900 ft) above sea level and has a population of about 100,000 people. Cajamarca has an equatorial climate so it is mild, dry and sunny, which creates very fertile soil. The city is well known for its fine cheeses and dairy products. Cajamarca is also known for its churches, and hot springs, or Inca Baths. Yanacocha is considered to be the world's second largest gold producing mine, one of several active mining sites in surrounding areas. Most of all, Peruvians remember Cajamarca as the place where the Inca Empire came to an end, since the Battle of Cajamarca along with the capture and execution of Inca emperor Atahualpa took place here.

Because of the high altitude, precautions should be taken. Be sure to take it easy the first day or two in town, drink lots of water and stay away from alcohol and caffeine. Cajamarca is quite cold at night and the sun can be very strong during the day. Bring some sunscreen and some warm clothes.

Get in

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Service to Cajamarca is via bus or air. There are daily flights from Lima, as well as luxury buses (about 16 hours). Several buses a day also make the trip from Trujillo (7 hours). Travelers can continue on to the town of Celendín, with connecting buses to Chachapoyas.

It is possible to travel through the highlands by road to Chota & back down to Chiclayo.

  • Transportes Linea [dead link] have frequent buses from/to Chiclayo, Trujillo & Lima.
  • Cruz del Sur also runs daily luxury buses to Cajamarca from Chiclayo, Trujillo & Lima.
  • LATAM
  • LC Perú

Get around

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From cheapest to most expensive;

  • Walk - Most of the major sites in the city can be visited by foot.
  • Micro bus - Micro buses, colectivos or combis, whatever you like to call them (Peruvians call them micro buses) are a very cheap and easy way to get around with most voyages costing S/1 (sol) or less and you don't need to haggle over the cost of the fare. They are however often crowded and somewhat dangerous.
  • Mototaxi - Three-wheel converted motorcycles. Mototaxis are a little dangerous as they don't fare well in accidents. They are however very economical and lots of fun. Most trips in town are between S/2 and S/.3.00.
  • Taxi - Most taxis are Daewoo Ticos or Toyota Corolla wagons. Expect to pay S/7 for a trip in town, about S/15 to the airport or to Baños del Inca. Ask the driver what the fare is before you get in. Whatever fare you agree to includes the tip.

Taxi Seguro [dead link] +51 76 365103 or +51 76 365362. Super Seguro +51 76 507090. Taxi Unidos +51 76 366438.

Micro buses for the airport, Otuzco and Combayo leave at the first intersection of Dos de Mayo northwest of the river.

  • There are several churches in the area of the Plaza de Armas, one of which (San Francisco) includes the "Ransom Room" in which the Inca Atahualpa was held captive by Spanish conquistadors.
  • The steps on Santa Apolonia hill lead up to the "Inca Seat", where the Inca supposedly addressed his subjects. The hill offers a nice view of the city below.
Mariposa - Carnaval de Cajamarca 2011
  • Carnaval de Cajamarca. Held every year in February or March. The three most important days include the day of water and paint, participants cover themselves and each other in paint while onlookers throw water at them. The following two days are parade days with the first going through the Plaza de Armas while the latter sticks to the concourse and features floats and the queens of carnaval, tickets for seats on the concourse range from around S/15 to S/30. Be prepared to get wet on all occacsions from water bombs and kids water pistols. This event is one that should not be missed. 
  • Catarata de Plan Manzanas is a nice waterfall about 9 km from Cajamarca. Take a microbus (19 or 59A - S/1 each way leaving about every 30 minutes until about 21:00) to Huambocancha Alta and get off at Plan Manzanas (road or carretera Bambamarca). You´ll need to ask the locals for directions as its not a particularly well known attraction, don´t give up just because the first person you ask doesn´t know anything about it. The locals are very friendly and you´ll probably be able to find one who´ll take you to the waterfall and give you directions for an alternate route back to the road for a small fee (S/5-10). The trail will take you over the top of the falls. They hold a carnival celebration 2 days after the main parade on the concourse in Cajamarca. Very beautiful countryside in a traditional Peruvian farming community. Its about a 30-minute walk each way from the road to the waterfall and the bus trip is also around 30 minutes each way. Allow 3 to 4 hours for this trip.
  • The Baños del Inca (The Inca's Baths) are natural hot springs located five kilometers east of Cajamarca in the town of Baños del Inca. Take a microbus (written Baños on the side) from the start of Avenida Atahulpa for S/2 (as of 2024). Entrance S/6 (swimming S/6). Swimming pool closed on Friday.

There are a number of archaeological sites and other attractions outside the city, to which there are organized tours. Several tour operators can be found on the Plaza de Armas. These sites include:

  • Cumbe Mayo, is a pre-Colombian aqueduct built around 1000 BCE to bring water from the mountains to the town of Cajamarca during the dry season. Tours from Cajamarca are S/18 per person. Food and drinks are readily available at the site. Its possible to walk from Cajamarca but allow around five hours each way for the 20 km trek. The site is located at an altitude of around 3500 meters and can be quite cold and wet.
Ventanillas de Otuzco
  • Ventanillas de Otuzco, a pre-inca necropolis. Touristic infrastructure, entrance fee (S/5 in February 2017), info plates in English. This is easy to get to by microbus just look for any bus that has Otuzco written on the side, you'll find them easily by the market. The trip is S/1 each way. Allow around 2 to 3 hours for this trip, a little longer if you want to check out the river nearby. You can walk from here to banos del inca (1½ hours).
  • 1 Ventanillas de Combaya (North East of Cajamarca). A pre-inca necropolis like Ventanillas de Otuzco but bigger and in much better condition. No touristic infrastructure at all, seldom visited. Going there by colectivo takes 1 hour more than to Otuzco (no direct combi from Cajamarca, go to Otuzco first and then take another combi in the village, by the school, to Combaya) and goes through beautiful landscape. Do not touch the stone as it is not solid - avoid destroying it like Otuzco has been during few years of tourism! 
  • Granja Porcon. An Evangelical farming colony with tourist services and a zoo. 
  • Llacanora. A picturesque town with waterfalls. The falls are a few kilometers from town but a fairly easy walk. There is also a farm with a lake and gardens nearby. 
  • Jardín de Hortencias, la carretera a los Tres Molinos. Typical food, chicha de jora, miel de abeja, plants, seeds, art and craft. Free entry. 
  • Kuntur Wasi. Quechua for House of the Condor. 93 km north east of Cajamarca near the town of San Pablo. Tours from Cajamarca are S/100, however if you can make it there on your own the entry fee is S/4.50. The site features monolithic statues and a museum featuring ceramics, semi-precious stones and gold objects. 
  • Skate Park (Inbetween Av. Atahualpa and El Inca near the sports centre, Coliseo Qapac Nan). There's some decent bowls, plenty of slides and it looks like women and BMX's are welcome too. 

Volunteer

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  • Asociación Incawasi is a non-profit organization started by both individuals from Cajamarca and international volunteers. Their objective is to improve the educational, social and nutritional situation of children from the disadvantaged areas of the city of Cajamarca, Peru.

Cajamarca is known for its fine dairy products and chocolate. A visit to one of the cheese shops is worth your time. There are also several street markets along the San Lucas river selling farm goods, cloth and various other items.

Cajamarca also has modern shopping malls like:

  • El Quinde Shopping Plaza offers secure parking, two large department store, a hypermarket, movie theater, children's entertainment, food court, electronics, clothing, pharmacies, jewelry stores, banking, and many kiosk-type businesses. It is located about six blocks northeast of the Main Square.
  • Real Plaza[dead link] is the biggest mall, it offers a secure underground parking, two large department store, a hypermarket, a large home improvement store, cinemas, food court, gym, restaurants, cafe, discotheque, children's entertainment, outdoor clothing stores, boutiques, electronics, banking, pharmacies, and another kiosk-type businesses. It is located about ten blocks east of the Main Square.
  • Open Plaza is the smallest mall, offers parking, a hypermarket, a home improvement store, children's entertainment, a pharmacy and another kiosk-type businesses. It is located between both El Quinde and Real Plaza.

There is a decent drop-off laundromat behind the San Francisco on calle Belen. S/5 per kilo. Closed Fridays.

The diet here consists largely of items in cream sauce, probably due to the large dairy industry. Several restaurants serve Cuy (guinea pig) for those feeling adventurous. Street vendors sell tamales and various other street food, especially around dinner time.

  • Restaurant Tuna Jr. Malia Puga. This place is very popular and warm inside. There is a wood-fired oven and they make tasty personal pizzas starting from S/5.50. You´ll probably need two of them if you want more than a snack though. They also have a range of other dishes, drinks and wine.
  • La Ideal Panaderia y Pasteleria. Jr. Malia Puga 966. A great place for coffee, cakes, hamburgers and delicious rolls. Think of it as a cross between Subway and a coffee and cake shop. A clean modern store with excellent service.
  • Pia dishes out tasty Pollo a la Brasa (rotisserie chicken) for a bargain price. It is located on Amazonas about a block away from the Plaza de Armas, near the secondary school.
  • El Cajamarques is one of the top restaurants in town. The food is quite good, but the real attraction is the courtyard containing exotic birds and wildlife.
  • Not recommended: El Batan Gran Buffet. This fancy restaurant has very attentive service, but the food is mediocre at best.
  • Super Chicken has two locations: one on the Recoleta and the other in El Quinde shopping center. Good chicken and fries. Eat in or take out.
  • Renzos one block up from the Plaza. Italian food: pizza and pasta.
  • La Cena towards the west end of Via Evitamiento. Large family-style restaurant. Good pollo a la braza and parrilla.
  • El Castillo an interesting converted farm house outside of town past the airport. Good beef. Expect that your taxi driver will charge you extra to take you there.
  • Punta Sal the place to go in Cajamarca for ceviche, which is a marinaded raw seafood dish with many aficionados in Peru.
  • La Paskana. Fine dining, beautiful surroundings, secure parking. Located on the road to Baños del Inca across from the university. 
  • Chifa Hong Kong proper Cantonese Chinese food, located on the Plaza de Armas. Better than normal chifa.
  • Cascanuez Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the main attraction is the desserts. Located half a block north west of the Plaza on Amalia Puga.
  • Don Paco Fine dining for a good price. Menu del dia (three courses) from S/12. Good pizzas. Located just off the Plaza across from the San Francisco Church.
  • Querubino Mediterranean dining with a Peruvian influence. Located just north west of the Plaza on Amalia Puga.
  • Bella's Cafe (Bar & Lounge), Jr. Junin #1184 (One block from the plaza through Pasaje San Martin), ☏ +51 76 345-794. 09:00-23:00. Great Peruvian coffee, cappuccino, Pisco Sour, and Margaritas. A great place to hang out after or before getting out visiting Cajamarca. They serve breakfast, quesadillas, tacos with homemade tortillas, and pizza. Wifi for customers. 

Drink

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Various street vendors sell home-made juice which is worth a try.

  • Chicha de jora. A sweet homemade alcoholic drink made from corn. 
  • Hot Chocolate. Chocolate produced locally to make hot drinks with is widely available or have it made for you at one of the many restaurants. 
  • Myshky Cafe, Jirón Curz de Piedra, 646 (Half a block from the Plaza de Armas). 08:30-21:30. Coffee shop. Espressos, lattes, moccas, white moccas, etc. (all prepared with the best coffee beans from Jaén). Also offer frappés (ice-cold sweet drinks), chai latte, desserts and sandwiches. 

Sleep

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There are many inexpensive options for accommodations in Cajamarca. In addition to the various hotels and hostels in town, there are also a number of spa hotels in the outskirts of town.

Budget

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  • Hostal Cruz de Piedra, Jr. Cruz de Piedra 287, ☏ +51 76 363370. Cable TV, hot water, private bathrooms, some rooms have a view of the park on Cerro Santa Apalonia. Matrimonial S/40, Double S/70. (updated Mar 2011)

Mid-range

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Splurge

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  • Laguna Seca Hotel, Av. Manco Cápac 1098, Los Baños del Inca, ☏ +51 76 894600. 
  • Hotel Costa del Sol, Jr. Cruz de Piedra 707, ☏ +51 76 362472. Good Peruvian chain hotel, located on the Plaza de Armas. Hot water pool, spa, gym. 
  • Continental Hotel, Jr. Amazonas 760, ☏ +51 76 362758. Excellent service, fantastic rooms and hot water, TV, Internet, some rooms have bar fridges, breakfast included, restaurant. Matrimonial S/198. 
  • Gran Continental Hotel, Jr. Amazonas 781, ☏ +51 76 341030. Basically the same as the Continental Hotel but its four-star instead of three. 
  • Sierra Galana Hotel, Jr. Del Comercio 773, ☏ +51 76 822472. 
  • El Ingenio Hotel, Av. Via de Evitamiento 1611-1709, ☏ +51 76 368733. Parking, Jacuzzi, Internet, TV. 
  • Las Americas Hotel, Jr. Amazonas 622, ☏ +51 76 363951. TV, Internet, breakfast, minibar, jacuzzi, telephone. 
  • Posada del Puruay Hotel (Drive along Av. Angamos (main road to Porcón Hualgayoc) and continue on this road for about 10 to 20 minutes until Km 4.5.), ☏ +51 76 827928. Farmhouse converted to a hotel. Five kilometers out of town. Good restaurant is known for its fondue. TV and DVD, purified water, horseback rides, trout fishing. 

Stay safe

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Traffic is probably the visitor's biggest risk. Most drivers assume that you will get out of their way. Driving the wrong way on a one-way street is not uncommon, but stopping at stop signs is. So, look around before you cross the street!

Remember to take it easy on arrival, since the altitude can make you short of breath and cause headaches.

The central city is fairly safe, but as always keep an eye out for pickpockets and always hang on to your belongings. That being said, tourists should avoid traveling away from the city centre after dark.

Connect

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Go next

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This city travel guide to Cajamarca is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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