Home
Peru
PLAN MY VISIT
Peru Destinations HotelsThings to do Transport Maps Vacations Team
  • Top Destinations
PLAN MY VISIT →
  1. Home
  2. Peru
  3. Destinations
  4. Northern Highlands

Cajamarca, Peru

Cajamarca is a charming city in northern Peru. Set within the Andes at an elevation of about 9,000 feet (2,750 m), Cajamarca is one of the best destinations in the Northern Highlands. Despite rapid growth due to the gold mining industry, Cajamarca still retains a historic feel. Villagers stroll down cobblestone streets in traditional attire, passing by old churches and colonial houses as they make their way towards the Plaza de Armas.

THINGS TO DOHOTELS
Similar places: City  Colonial  Mountain 
Cajamarca Peru
Cajamarca Peru
Cajamarca Peru
Cajamarca Peru
Cajamarca Peru
Cajamarca Peru
Cajamarca Peru
Cajamarca Peru
Cajamarca Peru
Cajamarca Peru
Cajamarca Peru
←→

Cajamarca has experienced an economic boom in recent years due to nearby mines. Even so, this city in Peru’s northern sierra has kept hold of its tradition and culture. As you explore the city you’ll likely see locals in colorful skirts, straw hats, and woolen shawls. The surrounding countryside is beautiful and produces a range of products, including gouda cheese, yogurt, and manjar blanco (a type of caramel).

Cajamarca played an important role in Peruvian history as the place where the Spanish finally triumphed over the Inca empire by capturing Inca Atahualpa. This ended the Inca reign over the area, which began six decades earlier when the Inca conquered the local Caxamarca people. The Caxamarca are thought to be responsible for the incredible aqueducts at Cumbemayo, which is located just 12 miles (20 km) outside Cajamarca.

Cajamarca revolves around the Plaza de Armas. During Inca times, this plaza was probably twice as long and lined with stone warehouses filled with textiles made from llama, cotton, and vicuña wool. The clothing was paid as a tribute by surrounding empires to the north.

A cathedral and the Iglesia de San Francisco border the Plaza de Armas. The cathedral holds Cajamarca’s only original baroque altar, which was built in 1689. The Iglesia de San Francisco has an interesting baroque façade and a religious museum that houses an impressive collection of 17th-century paintings.

While in Cajamarca, travelers may visit the Cuarto de Rescate (Ransom Room). The myth around the Cuarto de Rescate is that Inca Atahualpa ordered the room to be filled with gold objects for his ransom. Scholars have debated whether this is true or not, and some have claimed that the room was actually where Atahualpa was held captive. Either way, it’s an interesting place to visit. The stonework is impressive and was likely used long ago as a part of an Inca sun temple.

Complejo Belén is a large colonial religious monument that was built between 1627 and 1774. A Nicaraguan Bethlemite religious order came to Cajamarca to build a hospital for local people—the building is now an archaeological and medical museum. The onsite church has one of the most spectacular baroque facades in Peru; there are also men’s and women’s hospitals that travelers can tour. These hospitals were notorious for their terrible conditions.

There are a number of sites outside of Cajamarca that are interesting to visit. At the Ventanillas de Otuzco, you can see 600-year-old burial sites that are set into a cliff. The tombs, which look like small windows, were built by the Cajamarca people and destroyed by the Spanish. The site of Cumbemayo hosts ancient aqueducts and petroglyphs, while excavations at Kuntur Wasi have unearthed masks, jewelry, and the oldest forged gold in the Americas.

A few miles east of downtown are the Baños del Inca, thermal water springs where travelers can soak and relax outdoors. The springs, which are where the Inca likely bathed, vary in temperature but tend to more agreeable during the morning.

The countryside surrounding Cajamarca is lovely and home to some stellar hiking routes. Along these routes you can explore both natural phenomenon and archaeological sites. You might even stop in villages for food or to stay overnight in one of their basic earthen houses.

Cajamarca Things to Do

Check out more tours and activities in Cajamarca.

The Otuzco Windows | PeruThe Otuzco Windows
The Incan Baths | PeruThe Incan Baths
Cumbemayo Tour | PeruCumbemayo Tour
Cajamarca City Tour | PeruCajamarca City Tour
Hacienda La Collpa | PeruHacienda La Collpa
Porcón Farm Tour | PeruPorcón Farm Tour
Kuntur Wasi Tour | PeruKuntur Wasi Tour
←→


Excellent!
Trustpilot Rating
Based on 528 reviews
Trustpilot
A PERFECT vacation experience in Peru!
I keep raving about Anywhere.com, especially in Peru. Cesar customized our trip based on the attractions we wanted to se...
Aug 29, 2021
– Raisa S.
Trustpilot Rating
5 nights in Peru
This is the second time we have used Anywhere (Costa Rica last year). The Peru team guided by Cesar was superb. Always o...
Mar 10, 2020
– Steve & P.
Trustpilot Rating
Excellent choice for our trip through…
Excellent choice for our trip through Peru. Lima/Cusco/machu Picchu/back to Cusco then onward to Chile. Good hotels, exc...
Mar 02, 2020
– Anne
Trustpilot Rating
Highly recommend Anywhere Travel
Anywhere does a fantastic job of really building the perfect trip for you. Just tell them dates, general budget, and wha...
Feb 29, 2020
– Ben Gurtn.
Trustpilot Rating
Wouldn't travel any where without Anywhere
Thank you for making this a perfect trip for us. All arrangements worked like clockwork and we never missed a beat as we...
Jan 21, 2020
– IcameIsaw
Trustpilot Rating
I would recommend Anywhere.com Peru to…
I would recommend Anywhere.com Peru to anyone! They did an excellent job coordinating our itinerary and transportation. ...
Oct 25, 2019
– Eddie A.
Trustpilot Rating
Thank you Anywhere.com
I used Anywhere.com to plan a trip to Peru. The trip they organized for me and my mom was amazing. The agent, Sara, was ...
Aug 16, 2019
– Rori
Trustpilot Rating
Outstanding Job!
Anywhere.com did an OUTSTANDING job with helping be coordinate and facilitate the best adventure that I have ever had in...
Aug 06, 2019
– Adam
Trustpilot Rating
Our 2nd time with Anywhere and HAPPY!
We love Anywhere! We just have to pack and we are taken care of basically during our whole stay. Everything is nicely ar...
Jul 18, 2019
– Valery
Trustpilot Rating
Anywhere.com provided us excellent…
Anywhere.com provided us excellent service during our Costa Rica trip in 2016 and Peru trip in 2018.From planning,bookin...
Jun 22, 2019
– Sunil
Trustpilot Rating
Peru June 2019
Anywhere.com planned every step of our trip perfectly. We are very happy with their service.
Jun 21, 2019
– Lata
Trustpilot Rating
Our experience with Anywhere travel in…Peru
Our experience with Anywhere travel in Peru was, in a word, remarkable. The sights, experiences, and accommodations wer...
Jun 14, 2019
– Stuart
Trustpilot Rating
Excellent organization
Excellent organization. Everything went seamlessly as scheduled. All guides, transports arrived on time. Throughout our ...
May 24, 2019
– Lale
Trustpilot Rating
Book with Anywhere! Easiest decision you'll have to make
Booking with Anywhere was the best decision we made. Our trip was absolutely amazing, everything we wanted, plus everyth...
Apr 26, 2019
– Stephanie
Trustpilot Rating
Great company
Great company! They’re more than helpful and they make your trip a time to remember. The customer service is in a class ...
Apr 26, 2019
– Johnny
Trustpilot Rating
Peru Vacations
  • Adventure
  • Family
  • Luxury
  • Romantic
  • Trekking
Highlights
  • Unique & Authentic
  • Coasts
  • Mountains
  • Beaches
  • Cloudforests
  • Lakes
  • Surfing
  • Spiritual
  • Culinary
PLACES TO GO
  • Machu Picchu
  • Nazca Lines
  • Cusco
  • Lima
  • Aguas Calientes
  • Puno
  • Arequipa
  • Iquitos
  • Sacred Valley
  • Nazca
  • Amazon
THINGS TO DO
  • Culture
  • Get a Guide
  • Ruins
  • Archeology
  • Culinary
  • Train Rides
  • Hiking
  • Museums
  • History
  • Boating
  • Birdwatching
  • Cooking Lessons
Trustpilot 5 of 5 rated service
Trustpilot "Excellent"
Plan My Visit→+1 (888) 456-3212
MessengerContact AnywhereWhatsapp ContactCall USA: +1-888-456-3212

© 2022 Anywhere Inc. All rights reserved.Privacy Policy