Cajamarca Overview

V!VA User‘s Description

Cajamarca is located in the beautiful Andean countryside in a valley with the same name.

This was an important area for the Inca Empire. The first encounter between Inca Atahualpa and the Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro took place in Cajamarca.

In the center of the city you will find several colonial houses, beautiful churches with attractive fronts, modest museums like the "Museo Arqueológico y Etnográfico" (Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum) and the famous Ransom Room (cuarto de rescate) which Atahualpa filled with silver and gold in exchange for his liberation from Pizarro.

The city has a special charm and you can see local people from the Andes especially at the Carnival's festival.

 There are different places around the city that you should visit : The thermal "Banos del Inca" (hot springs), the amazing Cumbemayo with its impressive Inca Aqueduct, the Ventanillas de Otuzco (necropolis with a window-like appearance) and several picturesque towns like Llacanora, Porcon, etc.

 Tourism is somewhat new to the area. If you are looking for a professional tour operator you should consider InkaNatura Travel.