14º C (21º C maximum and 5º C minimum). Rainy season:
December to March.
Access Routes
By land
Lima-Trujillo-Cajamarca (872 km) following the North
Pan-American Highway and about 15 h car drive.
By air
There are daily flights from the city of Lima (about 1 h
10 minutes).
Historical Overview
The origin of Cajamarca dates from the pre-Inca period.
The valley with the same name was the center of the
Caxamarca Culture which reached its highest development
between 500 and 1 000 AD. These territories were annexed
to the Tahuantinsuyo Empire in 1 465 during Inca
Pachacútec’s government.
During the Inca Empire, Cajamarca became a very
important administrative, military and religious center.
Temples and palaces were built and there are still some
traces of them, notably the Ransom Room.
On November 16th, 1 532, Cajamarca was the scenery of
one of the most important episodes of the American
history, when a group of Spaniards led by Francisco
Pizarro took Inca Atahualpa as prisoner.
The city reflects the Spanish influence on its
architecture characterized by its square design where,
together with religious buildings from the middle of the
seventeenth century and early eighteenth century, there
are two-story houses with hip curved roof tiles many of
which have carved stone porticos.
Today, the city of Cajamarca has been listed by the
Organization of American States (OAS) as part of the
Historic and Cultural Heritage of the Americas and a
city that symbolizes Latin American Unity.
Attractions in the City
The Cathedral Jr. Cruz de Piedra s/n, Plaza de Armas.
Visits: Monday to Friday 8:00-11:00 and 18:00-21:00.
Built in the seventeenth century and part of the
eighteenth century, it has an imposing façade, decorated
with striking volcanic rock inlay, and an interior of
finely detailed sculptures. Inside, its highlights
include a remarkable retable in the main altar and a
carved wood pulpit covered in gold leaf. The Sagrario
Chapel is adjacent to this church.
Church of San Francisco Jr. Dos de Mayo at Plaza de Armas.
Visits: Monday to Friday 9:00-12:00 and 16:00-18:00.
Entirely carved in volcanic rock, the first stage was
built in the late seventeenth century. It houses a
Religious Art Museum, an art gallery and crypts.
Belén Monumental Complex Jr. Belén block 6.
Visits: Monday to Friday 8:30-12:00 and 16:00-18:00;
Saturday and Sunday (.30-12:00.
Comprises a temple built in volcanic rock, dating from
the eighteenth century. Former hospitals for men and
women dating back to the Colonial eighteenth century
period that have been conditioned as museums.
La Recoleta Monumental Complex Corner of Av. Maestro and Av. Los Héroes.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 8:00-12:00 and 16:00-20:00.
Comprising the Church and the Former Convent of the
Recolección Franciscana. Instead of towers it features
elegant belfries. It was built between seventeenth and
eighteenth centuries.
Mirador de Santa Apolonia Natural lookout which overlooks the valley and the
city of Cajamarca. One can reach the summit of this
mountain taking a wide stairway. There is a Classic
chapel dedicated to the Virgin of Fátima and pre-Inca
remains such as a stone altar known as Silla del Inca (the
Inca's Throne). The access stairway to Santa Apolonia
Hill is located at Jr. Dos de Mayo, two blocks from the
Main Square.
The Ransom Room Jr. Amalia Puga 750.
Visits Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:30-12:30
and 14:45-1700, Sunday-holidays 9:00-12:00.
Located one-half block from the Main Square. It was the
room which, according to the chroniclers, Inca Atahualpa
offered to fill with gold once and with silver twice to
obtain his freedom.
Outskirts of the City
The Inca Baths
Visits: Monday to Sunday 6:00-18:30.
Located in the province of Baños del Inca, 6 km east of
the city of Cajamarca and about 4 minutes drive. History
tells that it was here that the Inca used to take
thermal baths.
Cutervo National Park
Located in the province of Cutervo 260 km north of the
city of Cajamarca and about 14 h y 30 minutes car drive.
Here visitors can watch several varieties of flora (scrublands,
dwarf forests and wet montane forests) as well as fauna
such as jaguars (panthera onca), tigrillos (leopardus
pardalis), spectacled bear, otters, etc).
Cumbemayo Archaeological Complex
Located in the province of San Pablo, 22 km southwest of
the city of Cajamarca and about one h drive. This mystic
spot of unique natural beauty features a remarkable
aqueduct (pre-Inca irrigation channel carved from rock),
the sanctuary (a rocky outcrop in the shape of a giant
human head and petroglyphs), the frailones (huge stone
forest forming fanciful shapes that resemble monks'
silhouettes) and ceremonial altars (located along the
aqueduct).
Bosque de Rocas (The Stone Forest)
Located 180 km from the city of Cajamarca, about 8 h
drive, it spreads over a considerable area, noteworthy
for its various fanciful shapes, the most known of them
being those resembling the silhouette of monks moving on
a silent procession.
The Windows of Otuzco
Located in the district of Baños del Inca, 8 km north
east of the city of Cajamarca and about 15 minutes
drive, featuring important surviving archaeological
testimony to the ancient inhabitants of Cajamarca. Most
of them are single niches but there are also multiple
niches
Kuntur Wasi
Located in the province of San Pablo, 108 km northwest
of the city of Cajamarca and about 2 h 45 minutes drive.
Archaeological monument on La Copa hill, formed by a
ceremonial complex comprising several plazas and
platforms supported by huge stone walls.
Cooperativa Atahualpa Jerusalén (Porcón Farm)
Located 30 km north of the city of Cajamarca, about 1 h
drive, its landscape has been improved thanks to the
afforestation of a number of hectares of forests where
wildlife flora and fauna has reappeared.
Within the scope of the Interactive Tourism project,
PromPerú sponsors the development of certain programs
such as:
- Agrotourism in Cajamarca: Porcón Farm,
Agrotourism, nature, trekking and cultural exchange.
Porcón Farm is one of the few examples of a successful
and fully functioning cooperative. The cooperative has
decided to open the doors of its farm to tourism, so
that the visitor can enjoy its efficient production and
the unique lifestyle of its inhabitants, delight in
walks across its beautiful fields and forests and
participate in the farm's agriculture, cattle-breeding
and forestal activities which may vary according to the
season.
Information:
Cooperativa Agraria "Atahualpa Jerusalén".
Jr. Chanchamayo 1355, Cajamarca.
Phone/fax: (044) 82-5631
E-mail:granjaporcon@yahoo.com
Folkore
Cajamarca´s folkloric expressions are always related to
religious celebration and patron saints' feasts, with
dances such as the Cashua, the Chunchos or White Dance,
the Pallas, the Pachilla, the feathered or imperial
dance and the Devils' dance.
Handicrafts
Cajamarca craftsmen are noted for their woolen, leather,
wood, hemp rope, clay and stone works, which evidence
the art and creativity of the people who convey our
cultural identity in their utilitarian and decorative
products.
Gastronomy
Typical dishes: - Picante de cuy con papa (guinea pig stew with
peanut and panca chili sauce served with potatoes). - Chicharrón con mote (pork cracklings served
with separated mature corn or maize kernels). - Humitas (steamed sweet corn dough stuffed with
cinnamon and raisins, wrapped in maize leaves). - Chupe verde (potato soup with bone broth).
Festivities
Cajamarca Carnival (February - March, mobile) Carnival has acquired characteristics which are very
typical of Cajamarca comprising traditional expressions
and involving the participation of institutions,
quarters, etc. The celebration lasts approximately one
month, however the central days are just eight.
Feast of the Crosses (March - April) On the central day, Palm Sunday, four different
ceremonies take place, the coronation of the crosses,
the salutation to the Lord at the house of the mayordomo
(the person entrusted with the task of leading the
celebrations), the various prayers in Quechua and Latin
and, lastly, the procession to the hacienda's chapel
with more than 50 crosses, each weighing approximately
60 kilos.
Services
Airports
Armando Revoredo Iglesias.
3 km from the city of Cajamarca.
Phone (044) 82-2523.
Open: Monday to Sunday 8:15-15:45.
Transport By land
There is no land terminal, however a number of carrier
companies gather in the following streets: calle
Atahualpa blocks 2-4 and calle Independencia blocks 2-4.
Health Centers
Cajamarca.
Hospital Regional.
Av. Mario Urteaga 500, Cajamarca.
Phone: (044) 82-2414 / 82-2533.
24 hour service
Jaén. Hospital Sub Regional de Jaén.
Prolongación Huamantanga s/n.
Tel (044) 73-1268.
24 hour service
Police Stations
Policia Nacional.
Jr. Ayacucho s/n, Plazuela Amalia Puga, Cajamarca.
Phone: (044) 82-3438 / 82-2941.
24 hour service
Handicrafts Markets
Handicrafts shops are located in the following streets:
Calle Dos de Mayo block 2; Jr. Sucre block 6; Jr.
Bolívar block 3 and Jr. Horacio Urteaga block 1.
Post Office
Calle Amazonas 443.
Phone: (044) 82-2206 / 82-4065.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-21:15, D 8:00.15:00.
Regional Tourism and Industry Office
Calle Belén s/n 6ta. cdra, Conjunto Monumental Belén,
Cajamarca.
Phone: (044) 82-2997.
Fax: (044) 82-2903.
E-mail:
cajamarca@mitinci.gob.pe
tourist information and assistance
Peru features a tourist information and assistance
service called iPerú where visitors can ask about
official tourist information on Peru, as well as
assistance if the tourist feels the service paid for was
not provided as advertised.
E-mail:
iperu@promperu.gob.pe
Lima Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez
Arrival lounge / main hall
Phone/fax: (01) 574-8000 / 574-6900
24-hour service
E-mail:
sptijch@indecopi.gob.pe
San Isidro
Jorge Basadre 610, Lima 27.
Phone: (01) 421-1583 / 421-1227 / 421-1627 / 421-1546.
Open: Monday to Sunday 9:00-18:00
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