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City in Peru
Photo: Harley Calvert, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Cajamarca is in the northern highlands of Peru. 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.
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The construction of this Catholic church began in 1699. The initial architect was Matías Pérez Palomino. The church is named after Francis of Assisi.
Museo San Francisco
The museum of the church of San Francisco.
Museo Arqueológico y Etnográfico del Conjunto Monumental Belén
Archaeological and ethnographic museum in the historical building of Belén.
Iglesia y Convento de La Recoleta
Mirador Apu Rumitiana Santa Apolonia
From the hill you have a great view over Cajamarca. It contains a "seat of the Inca" where the Inca emperor supposedly addressed his subjects. In order to get to the top of the viewpoint, you need to pay an entry fee.
Cuarto de Rescate
The only building left from the Inca empire in the city is this room, where the Inca Atahualpa was held captive by the Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro.
Catedral de Santa Catalina
This Catholic cathedral was built in the Baroque style. Construction of the cathedral began in the 17th century. It is located on the main square, the Plaza de Armas.
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!
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.
Quechua for "House of the Condor"
The site features monolithic statues and a museum featuring ceramics, semi-precious stones and gold objects. Tours from Cajamarca are S/100, however if you can make it there on your own, the entry fee is S/4.50.
Baños del Inca
Natural hot springs. 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.
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. It's possible to walk from Cajamarca but allow around five hours each way for the 20 km trek. The site is at an altitude of around 3500 m and can be quite cold and wet (in the rainy season).
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).
Typical food, chicha de jora, miel de abeja, plants, seeds, art and craft.
An Evangelical farming colony with tourist services and a zoo.
There's some decent bowls, plenty of slides and it looks like women and BMXs are welcome too.
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 occasions from water bombs and kids water pistols. This event is one that should not be missed.
Traditional festival on November 1.
Fine dining, beautiful surroundings, secure parking. Located on the road to Baños del Inca across from the university.
Bar & Lounge
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.
A sweet homemade alcoholic drink made from corn.
Chocolate produced locally to make hot drinks with is widely available or have it made for you at one of the many restaurants.
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.
Cable TV, hot water, private bathrooms, some rooms have a view of the park on Cerro Santa Apalonia.
Nice hotel on the corner of Plaza de Armas. Good bedding, friendly staff, and WiFi included. Ask for a room facing the Plaza if you like natural light.
Private bathroom, TV, Internet, bar.
Private bathroom, kitchenette, fridge, microwave, TV, Internet.
Comfortable hotel in colonial building. Nice garden and coffee bar inside. Good wifi. Very nice place, really clean, hot water, cable TV, nice beds and good pillows. Friendly staff. Rooms are cleaned daily. 2 minutes' walk from the Plaza del Armas. Rooms in the back are quiet. Hotel is associated with a charity for less-able children.
TV, Internet, hot water
Private bathroom, hot water, TV, room service, restaurant, Internet, gym, parking.
Breakfast, TV, Internet, 24-hour reception.
Good Peruvian chain hotel, located on the Plaza de Armas. Hot water pool, spa, gym.
Excellent service, fantastic rooms and hot water, TV, Internet, some rooms have bar fridges, breakfast included, restaurant.
Basically the same as the Continental Hotel but its four-star instead of three.
Parking, Jacuzzi, Internet, TV.
TV, Internet, breakfast, minibar, jacuzzi, telephone.
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.
Real Plaza 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.
Mercado Central
The market of Cajamarca. It is important to pay attention to the hygiene of the products before buying them.
Mercado San Sebastian
Service to Cajamarca is via bus or air. There are daily flights from Lima.
Read in the guideTaxi Seguro taxiseguro.com.pe +51 76 365103 or +51 76 365362. Super Seguro +51 76 507090. Taxi Unidos +51 76 366438.
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Cajamarca · Regional · CJA
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