The Valley where the Inca Empire Collided with the Spanish
A pre-Inca aqueduct cut through solid rock, a cliff face full of tombs, the room where an empire was ransomed, and the loudest carnival in Peru, all in one highland valley, 2,750 metres up.
Welcome to Cajamarca, Peru
Cajamarca is the capital city of the Cajamarca region of Northern Peru. It is an ancient city, with roots dating back three thousand years, making it a fascinating travel destination for lovers of history, culture, and art.
Before the colonialist era, before the Inca era, and even before the Chavin peoples, Cajamarca was inhabited by the Huacaloma, Layzon, Cumbe Mayo and Otuzco native peoples - which means that this region's deep history represents the original heart and soul of Peru...
Located approximately 150 mi. (241 km) south of Ecuador and 75 mi. (121 km) east of the Pacific Coast in the highlands of northern Peru, Cajamarca is surrounded by fertile lands in a valley bordered by the Andes mountains.
This guide covers what is here, how long each place takes, and when in the year to come.
Particulars
Here's some handy points of fact and details about the city and region of Cajamarca. (Big thanks to Wikipedia for the updated data.)
Interactive Map of Cajamarca
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City data
- Spanish pronunciation
- kaxa’marka
- Quechua name
- Kashamarka
- Colonial spelling
- Caxamarca
- Demonym
- Cajamarquino / Cajamarquina
- Population
- Estimated at 245,137 in 2020, making it Peru's 13th largest city
- Area size
- 392.47 km2 (151.53 sq mi)
- Elevation
- 2,750 metres (9,020 ft)
- Climate
- Subtropical highland. Generally mild, with consistent highs of 70-72 F (21-22 C) year round and lows of 37-45 F (3-7 C)
- Average rainfall
- Very little: 4.3 in (11 cm) in March, and a very dry summer
- Time zone
- UTC-5 (PET)
- Area code
- 76
- Region
- Cajamarca
- Province
- Cajamarca
So Many Reasons to Go
Why Visit Cajamarca?
Cajamarca sits well north of the Lima-Cusco-Machu Picchu circuit most visitors follow, which is most of the reason it stays quiet. Six reasons it is worth the detour.
Living Inca History
Cajamarca is where the Inca empire turned: Atahualpa was captured here in 1532, and the Ransom Room he filled with gold still stands in the city centre.
Thermal Springs
The geothermal pools at Banos del Inca have been in continuous use since before the Spanish arrived, and are still fed by the same source.
Pre-Inca Engineering
The Cumbemayo aqueduct was cut through solid rock roughly 3,000 years ago and still channels water along its original course.
Peru's Biggest Carnival
Every February the city hosts the loudest carnival in the country: a week of parades, water fights, and unsha dancing.
Dairy and Cheese Country
The valley is Peru's dairy heartland. Local cheeses, manjarblanco, and fresh queso mantecoso are staples of every market.
Highland Climate
At around 2,750 m the city stays mild year-round, with a dry season from May to October that suits hiking and day trips.
What to see and do
The Essential Sites and Tourism Hotspots
At the top of the list of all the reasons to visit Cajamarca, Peru, most people come for what we consider the Essential Sites and Tourism Hotspots. These are the places and activities you definitely do not want to miss, and what the majority of travelers dream about. Cajamarca.com compiles these locations and activities into 2 basic sectors:
Some of the most popular are listed below, but check out our What To Do page for a complete list of all of them.
Cumbemayo
Pre-Inca aqueduct and volcanic rock forest carved into the highlands above Cajamarca.
Ventanillas de Otuzco
Otuzco Funerary Windows
A pre-Inca necropolis of window-like burial niches cut into a volcanic rock face.
Cuarto del Rescate
The Ransom Room
The Ransom Room, the only standing Inca structure in Cajamarca, where Atahualpa was held in 1532.
Baños del Inca
The Inca Baths
Natural thermal springs used by Inca rulers, still fed by the same geothermal source today.
News, Advice & Blog
Travel news, tips, and insights for planning your trip to Cajamarca
When to Visit Cajamarca (And Why Carnival Changes Everything)
Cajamarca has two seasons, dry and wet, and one week that ignores both. Here is how to pick your dates, and what each month actually feels like at 2,750 metres.
Lima to Cajamarca: Bus or Flight?
Ninety minutes in the air or roughly fourteen hours overland. The trade-off is not only time and money, and the arrival experience is very different.
Altitude in Cajamarca: What 2,750 Metres Actually Feels Like
Cajamarca is high, but it is not Cusco. Here is what the first day realistically feels like, which excursions climb higher, and what to do if it hits you.
What to Eat in Cajamarca, Beyond the Cheese
Cajamarca is Peru's dairy capital, and that is only the opening argument. A guide to the dishes, the markets, and the meals worth planning your day around.
Three Days in Cajamarca: A Realistic Itinerary
Most visitors get three days here, and most try to fit four days into them. This is the version that works, sequenced around altitude and road conditions.
Responsible Travel in Cajamarca: Where Your Money Actually Lands
Tourism is new money in a region that has had a complicated relationship with outside investment. Practical choices that put more of your spending into Cajamarquino hands.