About Cajamarca
Cajamarca is the capital of the department of Cajamarca and it is located in a beautiful and bucolic Andean countryside in the valley with the same name in Northern Peru. Cajamarca is also know as the gateway of the Amazons the Peruvian country side is lush and green.

The history of Cajamarca 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, Spaniard colonization and the trans-culture.

The importance of the pre-Hispanic 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" (Ransom 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. Carnival time in Cajamarca is among the most famous festivals in February or March in Peru. The townspeople are an easy-going, amiable folk, and carnival time involves entire neighborhoods and institutions until the end of the festival, when the participants symbolically bury Ño Carnavalón, the king of the carnival. The celebrations go on for around a month, but there are eight main days, when participants are often doused with water.

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.

Cajamarca Guide

Archaeological Sites in Cajamarca: 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 places, among those the outstanding Cumbemayo, the Ventanillas de Otuzco and Combamayo. Since Inca times and with a lot of historical value the "Cuarto del Rescate" (Ransom Room) and "Baños del Inca" (Inca bathing place).

Historical Center of Cajamarca: 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 facades and great sculptural wealth in its interior. The main places are the Cathedral, Plaza de Armas (main square), The Complejo de Belen and his museum, The Church of San Francisco and his museum, the Ransom Room and Cerro Santa Apolonia in this hilltop you can overlook the city and appreciate the "Seat of the Inca" (pre-Hispanic carved rock), and visit many handcraft shops when climb or descent the hill.

Museums in Cajamarca: Cajamarca counts with modest museums like the "Museo Etnografico y de Arquelogia" (Ethnographic and Archaeological Museum) located in the old Hospital of Women and the Medical Museum located in the old Hospital of Males, both inside in the Complejo Monumental de Belen (XVII Century) open daily 9 AM-noon and 3-5 PM. The Museo de Arte Religioso (Museum of Religious Art) open Mon-Fri 2-5 PM, entrance charge.

Around Cajamarca: There are diverse places that offer a variety possibility to enjoy their charms, in the countryside of Cajamarca you can visit the forest of stones Los Frailones (The Friars) in the same place of Cumbemayo, the hydrangea gardens, the town of artisans of Aylambo and places where you can appreciate beautiful Andean landscapes. North of the city is Granja Porcón (Porcon Farm), a dairy farm where travelers can take part in farming chores. Or the hacienda La Colpa is a famous farm for its herd of cows which are still called by name at milking time.