Major city · Peru
Chota
Skip unless you are a bullfighting aficionado or visiting family: one night is enough to see the bullring and the San Juan Bautista festival (June).
Chota is a small Andean town at 2,388 m, known as the Bullfighting Capital of Northern Peru. Its main draw is the second-largest bullring in the country, El Vizcaíno, and the San Juan Bautista festival in June. Outside festival dates, the town offers little for a tourist and is best used as a brief stop between Cajamarca and the northern sierra.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- Jun (for the festival), May–Sep (dry season)
- avoid Nov–Apr (rainy season)
- Airport
- CJA
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
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 Chota105 ▾
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 Chota, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/).Peru-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.Peru-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Peru-wide
- TippingRestaurants: About 10% if service is not included.Peru-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Peru-wide
- SafetyChota is generally safe for tourists, but petty theft can occur in crowded festival areas.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.Peru-wide
- Emergency numbers105 police · 116 fire · 106 ambulance (samu) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; strikes can shut roads and shops.Peru-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCJA Mayor General FAP Armando Revoredo Iglesias Airport (Cajamarca) (Daily flights from Lima; then 3.5 h by bus or car to Chota.).
- Getting aroundMototaxis (motocarro) are the main public transport, cheap and cover the whole town.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or soft drinkS/ 3–6
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Mototaxi ride (within town)checkS/ 3–5
- Metro or bus rideBus from Cajamarca to ChotacheckS/ 20–30
- Budget bedHostel or basic hotel bed, a night, per personPEN 30
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a mid-range hotel, a night, per roomPEN 100
- High-end bedDouble room in a mid-range hotel, a night, per roomPEN 180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 60 · Mid PEN 110 · High PEN 200
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.
- Airports
- CJA Mayor General FAP Armando Revoredo Iglesias Airport (Cajamarca) (Daily flights from Lima; then 3.5 h by bus or car to Chota.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Feb
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Mar
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jul (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low), wettest Mar (18 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chota: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
16 rd
Feb
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
17 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
18 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
14 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
13 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
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
Mototaxis (motocarro) are the main public transport, cheap and cover the whole town. Rural buses and vans go to nearby villages but are infrequent.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 3.5 h
Bus or car via PE-3N, about 3.5 h
Colonial city with hot springs and Inca baths.
Chiclayo
goDoor to door: About 4 h
Bus or car via PE-06 A and PE-3N, about 4 h
Coastal city with markets and museums.
Jaén
cautionDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Bus or car, about 2–3 h
Gateway to the Utcubamba valley; limited tourist infrastructure.
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.
Town centre
Basic hotels and hostels near the plaza; most budget options.
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
- Budget
- S/ 50–80
- Mid
- S/ 80–150
- High
- S/ 150+
Trip budget
| Double room in a mid-range hotel1 × 1 night × PEN 100 | PEN 100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × PEN 110 | PEN 220 |
| Bus from Cajamarca to Chota, one way2 × PEN 25 · check | PEN 50 |
| Mototaxi ride within town2 × PEN 3 · check | PEN 6 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PEN 38 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 207 per person per day, bed included | PEN 414 |
2026 estimate in soles; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Mototaxi ride (within town)check | S/ 3–5 |
| Bus from Cajamarca to Chotacheck | S/ 20–30 |
| Simple meal (menu del día) | S/ 8–15 |
| Coffee or soft drink | S/ 3–6 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Rainy season (Nov–Apr) can make roads muddy and travel slower.
- Bullfights during the festival may be controversial; check your comfort level.
- Altitude (2,388 m) may cause mild symptoms for some visitors.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 106
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ChotaChota
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- Ambulance (SAMU)106
Embassy
The US has an embassy in Lima; most other countries have embassies in Lima. Nearest consulate for some countries may be in Chiclayo or Cajamarca (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Cajamarca → Chota by bus: about S/ 20–30, 3.5 h (check)
- Mototaxi within town: S/ 3–5
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (oh-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (grah-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto? — How much? (kwahn-toh)
- ¿Dónde está el terminal de buses? — Where is the bus station? (don-deh es-tah el ter-mee-nal deh boo-sehs)
- Necesito un mototaxi — I need a mototaxi (neh-seh-see-toh oon moh-toh-tahk-see)
Carry small denominations of soles for mototaxis and market purchases.
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 Chota. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun (for the festival), May–Sep (dry season) · avoid Nov–Apr (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for El Vizcaíno bullring and San Juan Bautista festival with dates and ticket info.
- Eat pages for typical dishes (guinea pig, cheese, doughnuts).
- Bus schedules from Chiclayo and Cajamarca with verified operators.
Sources
- secondaryWikidata — Chota
- secondaryWikivoyage: Chota, revision 4332707 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Chota
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