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Major city · Peru

Cajamarca

Give Cajamarca 2 nights: one day for the Plaza de Armas, Ransom Room and Santa Apolonia, one for Baños del Inca or Cumbe Mayo. Skip it if you have under 10 days in Peru.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Cajamarca sits at about 2,700 m in Peru’s northern highlands. Its colonial centre, Inca history, hot springs and dairy foods reward a two-night stop: allow one day for the city and another for a nearby site. Take it easy on arrival; nights are cold and the high-altitude sun is strong.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
PEN
Best months
May–Sep (typically drier; check current conditions)
avoid Carnaval week if you want a quiet visit; dates fall in February or March
Airport
CJA
Nights
2
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
  • South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
  • South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
  • South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
  • Peru ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Peru's migration authority (Migraciones) or a Peruvian consulate; keep the entry record you receive, as hotels may ask for it.
  • Peru ↗Machu Picchu entry is by timed ticket for a named circuit, with daily caps; in high season tickets sell out weeks or months ahead. Buy tickets only from the official Ministry of Culture seller or a licensed agency.
  • Peru ↗The classic Inca Trail needs a permit booked through a licensed operator, often months ahead; the trail closes every February for maintenance.
  • Peru ↗Altitude sickness is common above 2,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on day one, and ask a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Cajamarca105 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Cajamarca, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee or hot chocolateS/ 5–12
  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Mototaxi in townS/ 2–3
  • Budget bedHostal double room, a night, per roomPEN 70
  • Mid-range bedHostal double room, a night, per roomPEN 110
  • High-end bedHostal double room, a night, per roomPEN 180

A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 90 · Mid PEN 170 · High PEN 320

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Ransom Room (Cuarto de Rescate)Carnaval de CajamarcaCheese and chocolateBaños del Inca hot springsVentanillas de Otuzco
Airports
CJA Mayor General FAP Armando Revoredo Iglesias Airport (Daily Lima flights are reported; schedules and journey time: check.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    not flagged

    22°C (72°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    22°C (72°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    22°C (72°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    22°C (72°F)

  5. May

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    22°C (72°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    22°C (72°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    22°C (72°F)

Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Feb–Mar. Month by month →

Warmest Jan (22°C (72°F)), coolest Jun (5°C (41°F) low), wettest Feb (16 rain days), driest Jun (2). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Cajamarca: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

22°C (72°F)

8°C (46°F)

15 rd

Feb

22°C (72°F)

8°C (46°F)

16 rd

Mar

22°C (72°F)

8°C (46°F)

15 rd

Apr

22°C (72°F)

7°C (45°F)

11 rd

May

22°C (72°F)

6°C (43°F)

5 rd

Jun

21°C (70°F)

5°C (41°F)

2 rd

Jul

21°C (70°F)

5°C (41°F)

2 rd

Aug

22°C (72°F)

6°C (43°F)

2 rd

Sep

22°C (72°F)

7°C (45°F)

5 rd

Oct

22°C (72°F)

7°C (45°F)

9 rd

Nov

22°C (72°F)

7°C (45°F)

11 rd

Dec

22°C (72°F)

8°C (46°F)

14 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The central sights are walkable. Combis and mototaxis serve nearby areas; confirm the fare before boarding. Older fare reports put combis at about S/1, mototaxis at S/2–3, and short town taxi trips at about S/7; current fares: check.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Baños del Inca

go

Door to door: About 45 min (check)

Take a combi marked Baños from Avenida Atahualpa; current fare and journey time: check.

Hot springs about 5 km (3.1 mi) east of town. Entry and swimming fees, facilities and closure days: check.

Ventanillas de Otuzco

go

Door to door: About 1 h (check)

Take a combi marked Otuzco from near the market; route and current fare: check.

Pre-Inca burial site; allow 2–3 h for the visit and return journey. Entry fee: check.

Cumbe Mayo

go

Door to door: About 1 h by road (check)

Arrange transport from Cajamarca; current tour options and fares: check.

Pre-Columbian aqueduct at about 3,500 m. The 20 km (12 mi) walk from town is roughly five hours each way.

Llacanora

go

Door to door: Check

Local transport to the village; route and journey time: check.

Waterfalls lie a few kilometres from the village; allow time for the walk.

Granja Porcón

caution

Door to door: Check

Arrange transport from Cajamarca; route and journey time: check.

Farming community with visitor services and a zoo; check what is open before travelling.

Kuntur Wasi

caution

Door to door: Check

Arrange transport to the site near San Pablo; routes, journey time and current fees: check.

About 93 km (58 mi) from Cajamarca; a long day trip.

Chota

overnight

Door to door: Check

Bus through the highlands; current service and journey time: check.

Better as a stop on a highland road journey than an assumed day return.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Around the Plaza de Armas

Walk to the cathedral, San Francisco, the Ransom Room and most restaurants; best for a short stay.

Jr. Dos de Mayo / San Pedro

Quieter streets a few blocks north of the plaza; hostals and mid-range hotels, 5–10 min walk in.

Baños del Inca

Spa hotels 5 km (3.1 mi) east by the hot springs; only worth it if the springs are your main reason to come.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
S/ 90–150 excl. bed
Mid
S/ 150–280 excl. bed
High
S/ 280+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Mid-range hotel double1 × 2 nights × PEN 180PEN 360
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × PEN 170PEN 680
Airport taxi, both ways2 × PEN 30 · 2026 estimate; confirm fare before travel.PEN 60
Cumbe Mayo tour2 × PEN 18 · 2026 estimate; check availability and current fare.PEN 36
eSIM, about a week of data2 × PEN 35 · 2026 estimate.PEN 70
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgePEN 121
Trip total≈ PEN 332 per person per day, bed includedPEN 1,327

2026 estimate; check current rates.

2026 estimate in soles; lodging and flights excluded. Local costs vary; verify fares and accommodation rates before booking.

Prices of common things

Coffee or hot chocolateS/ 5–12
Menu del día (three courses)S/ 12–20
Pollo a la brasaS/ 15–25
Cheese or chocolate from a shopS/ 10–30
Microbus rideS/ 1
Mototaxi in townS/ 2–3
Taxi in town / to the airportS/ 7 / S/ 15

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Cajamarca is generally calm for travellers who stay in the centre and use registered taxis at night. The real risks are altitude on arrival, cold nights, and petty theft or water and paint during Carnaval.
  • At about 2,700 m, take the first day slowly, drink water and limit alcohol and caffeine.
  • Expect cold nights and strong sun by day; pack a warm layer and sunscreen.
  • Carnaval, held in February or March, includes water and paint; book ahead if travelling then.
  • Cumbe Mayo is about 3,500 m above sea level; conditions can be cold and wet in the rainy season.

Emergency numbers

Police
105
Fire
116
Ambulance (SAMU)
106

Pocket card

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CajamarcaCajamarca

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police105
  • Fire116
  • Ambulance106

Embassy

No embassies in Cajamarca; most countries keep embassies in Lima. The US and UK have no consulate here (check).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Taxi airport → centre: about S/ 15
  • Microbus to Baños del Inca: about S/ 2, 15–20 min (check)
  • Cumbe Mayo tour: about S/ 18 per person (check)

Say or show

  • ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
  • La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
  • ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (DON-deh es-TAH el BAH-nyo)
  • Necesito ayuda — I need help (neh-seh-SEE-toh ah-YOO-dah)
  • Sin picante, por favor — No spicy, please (seen pee-KAN-teh por fah-VOR)
  • ¿Está lejos? — Is it far? (es-TAH LEH-hos)

Altitude about 2,700 m: take the first day easy.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cajamarca. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep (typically drier; check current conditions) · avoid Carnaval week if you want a quiet visit; dates fall in February or March · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 7 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for CJA: flight times from Lima, taxi band, first-night altitude rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Plaza de Armas, San Francisco and Belén, Santa Apolonia, Dos de Mayo.
  3. Place pages with verified hours and fees (Ransom Room, Belén museum, Santa Apolonia, Baños del Inca) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Carnaval and rainy-season fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Peru

Sources