Cajamarca is a city located in northern Peru, near the border with Ecuador. It sits at an altitude of 2,750 meters (8,900 feet) and is nestled in a valley of three rivers: the Mashcón, San Lucas, and Chonta. The city is known for its wealth of minerals and dairy products.
Cajamarca is known for the Battle of Cajamarca, which marked the defeat of the Inca Empire at the hands of the Spanish. Here, the Inca Atahuallpa was captured and killed.
Where is Cajamarca located?
Cajamarca is located in the northern Andean region of Peru, specifically in the northern highlands. The city of Cajamarca, the capital of the department, is located 2,750 meters above sea level, in the Cajamarca Valley, formed by the Mashcón, San Lucas, and Chonta rivers.
Details:
- Region: Northern Andean, in the northern highlands of Peru.
- Department: Cajamarca.
- Capital: City of Cajamarca.
- Altitude: 2,750 meters above sea level.
- Valley: Cajamarca, formed by the Mashcón, San Lucas, and Chonta rivers.
- Distance to Lima: 856 km.
- Area: 33,318 km².
How to get to Cajamarca?
The tourist region of Cajamarca can be reached by air and land. Travel by plane, bus, and private car are the three main means of transport to the interior of the country.
How to get to Cajamarca from Lima by bus?
Bus service providers make direct round-trip trips to Cajamarca every day, from bus terminals in Lima, Trujillo, and Chiclayo. However, this city in the northern highlands can be reached from anywhere in the interior of the country.
Although Terminal Plaza Norte and Javier Prado are two of the most popular departure and arrival points, they are not the only ones. Other places to board and disembark include Puente Piedra, Los Olivos, and Ventanilla.
Three of the bus companies that depart from the country's capital to this tourist region are Línea, Tepsa, and Inca Atahualpa, but there are many more. The distance from Lima is 856 kilometers.
Getting to Cajamarca by Plane
The airlines that most frequently fly to Cajamarca from Lima are Viva Air Perú, Start Perú, and LATAM. However, you can travel to the most important city in the northern highlands from any domestic airport in the country.
Planes depart from Jorge Chávez Airport, the most important airport in Peru for domestic and international flights, where more than 20 airlines operate. It is located in Callao, 16 kilometers from Lima.
All flights arrive at Cajamarca's only airport, Major General FAP Armando Revoredo, which is less than 10 minutes from the city center. It is a modest terminal with only domestic operations, primarily flights to and from Lima.
How long is it from Lima to Cajamarca by plane?
The most convenient and shortest way to get to Cajamarca from Lima is by plane, which covers the 856 kilometers in an estimated travel time of one hour.
Getting from Cajamarca Airport to the city center
Cajamarca's Major General Armando Revoredo Airport is so close to the city center that it's easy to walk there. However, the fastest way to travel the 3 kilometers is by low-cost taxi.
Attractions in Cajamarca
6 Churches in Cajamarca: There are six churches in Cajamarca that exhibit the colonial style. When the Spanish built these buildings, which still exist today, they used stone instead of the clay often seen in other cities. The six churches are: San José, La Recoleta, La Inmaculada Concepción, San Antonio, the Cathedral, and Belén. The most famous of these churches are San Antonio, the Cathedral, and Belén.
Cumbemayo: This is an area believed to date back to 1500 BC, one of the oldest man-made structures in all of South America. The most impressive structure at this site is the aqueduct that runs about 8 kilometers (5 miles), bringing water from the hills to the city of Cajamarca.
Hot Springs at the Baños del Inca: These natural hot springs are perfect for a relaxing day in the sun. It is said that Inca Atahuallpa used to come here to relax. There is a spa located next to the hot springs that offers various treatments.
Ventanillas de Otuzco: This is an archaeological site located north of Cajamarca. Made of volcanic rock, the area was used as a burial site by both the Incas and the Spanish.
The Ransom Room: This building is very significant for Cajamarca, as it is the only Inca building still standing in the city. It is the place where Emperor Atahualpa was imprisoned during the Spanish invasion. There are modern paintings at the entrance that tell the story of Atahualpa's time. If you purchase a ticket to enter the Ransom Room, the ticket is also valid for entry to the Belén Complex and the Ethnographic and Archaeological Museum.
Archaeological Museum: This museum contains artifacts, such as pots and spears, from the Cajamarca culture, dating back to the pre-Inca period. Little is known about this culture, but everything historians know about this group of people who lived in Cajamarca is on display in this museum.
