Cajamarca

Plaza de Armas in Cajamarca

One of the most interesting Andean cities is Cajamarca. The city, at 2650 m above sea level, is the capital of the department with the same name. The quiet and friendly city has a population of about 70,000. The atmosphere is colonial and relaxed.

Street in Cajamarca
Street in downtown Cajamarca. Image © Luc Sicard

Outside the cathedral
Image © Damian A. Isla

Since Cajamarca lies somewhat isolated in the northern Sierra, it is not a major tourist site, although it has enough to offer. Not far from Cajamarca are the Baños del Inca, natural hot springs channeled by the Inca. The Inca Atahualpa was bathing in this curative springs when Pizarro, the Spanish conqueror, arrived in this area.

Cajamarca lies in an area of exceptional cultural and natural interest. In the department of Cajamarca are the canyons of the Marañon river, high mountains, jungle and cloudforests.

Nearby the city is another major pre-inca site, Ventanillas de Otuzco. It is a funeral place, situated on a hill that consists of hundreds of niches built into it.