Declared "America Heritage Site" by UNESCO

Location
North Andean, 2,719 meters above sea level. (8,920 feet)

Distances
855 km (531.3 miles) from Lima
294 km (182.7 miles) from Trujillo
258 km (160.3 miles) from Chiclayo

Population
92,400 inhabitants 

Weather:

Cajamarca is the capital of the department of Cajamarca and it is located in a beautiful and productive Andean countryside in the valley with the same name.

The history of this city begins with the pre-Inca civilization named Caxamarca, that had in this valley its cultural center until it was dominated by the Inca empire which built an important city, in the same that the Inca Atahualpa and the Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro encountered on November 16th , 1532; important date that began with the decline of the Incas empire and the beginning of the conquest, Spanish colonization and the trans-culture.

The importance of the prehispanic and colonial monuments, have been worth this city to be declared as "America Heritage Site" by UNESCO.

You will be able to visit the famous "Cuarto del Rescate" (Rescue Room) the one that Atahualpa filled with silver and gold in exchange of his liberation from Pizarro. Beautiful and intact colonial churches also exist, and very near the city you can see the colossal megalithic constructions of the caxamarcas, picturesque towns and places around a beautiful Andean landscape.

The remarkable Architect Héctor Velarde said "conquerors and indians left in Cajamarca elegant large houses of cavalier lines and of fine and luxurious finish. As all the northern cities of the mountains, this is more Spanish than indigenous, it is perhaps the most Spanish of all, but a touch of indigenous spirit can be captured in the earth and colors of the city."

Cajamarca has its biggest popular expression in the Carnivals, taken place as in any other city of Peru.

At the moment it is an enterprising city which economic activities are based on agriculture, cattle raising and the mining -extraction of gold and copper-, besides having very good artisans.

Unlike other Andean cities, its population doesn't have much influence of the ethnic group Quechua, and most of them are descendents of the Spanish miscegenation. The typical peasant dressed in red "poncho", hat of straw of wide wing, sandals like footwear and carrying saddlebags knitted in linen.

Visiting Cajamarca

Archaeological sites: The Caxamarca civilization flourished in the valley Cajamarca and they developed big megalithic constructions, some of influence Tiahuanaco and Chavín. There are registered 90 archaeological centers, among those the outstanding Cumbe Mayo, the Ventanillas de Otuzco and Combamayo. From Inca times and with a lot of historical value the "Cuarto del Rescate" and "Baños del Inca".

Historical Center: Churches and colonial large houses, conserved almost intact  are an alive museum that waits for the visitor. Through the churches you will be able to appreciate the biggest architectural and artistic wealth in the Spanish colonization, with beautiful fronts and great sculptural wealth in its interior.

Museums: Cajamarca counts with modest museums like the "Museo Arqueológico y Etnográfico" (Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum) and located in the old Hospital of Women and the Medical Museum located in the old Hospital of Males, both annexes of the "Iglesia de Belén" (Church of Belen) (XVIII Century).

Areas around the City: There are diverse places that offer a variety possibility to enjoy their charms, as the Collpa farm where the cows recognize their names, the thermal "Baños del Inca", the forest of stones the Frailones, the town of artisans of Aylambo or places where you can appreciate beautiful Andean landscapes.