Cajamarca

Introducing Cajamarca

The most important town in the northern highlands, Cajamarca is a dainty colonial metropolis cradled in a languid valley and stonewalled by brawny mountains in every direction. Descending into the vale by road, Cajamarca’s mushroom field of red-tile-roofed abodes surely confesses a secret desire to cling to its village roots. Fertile farming land carpets the entire valley, and Cajamarca’s streets belong as much to the wide-brimmed-hat-wielding campesinos (peasants) bundled in brightly colored scarves as the young city slickers that frequent the boutique restaurants and bars. In the colonial center, the capacious Plaza de Armas is bordered by majestic churches. From here, once decadent baroque mansions spread out in concentric circles along the cobbled streets, many enclosing ethereal hotels and fine restaurants.

Things have changed slowly here. Only recently has the Yanacocha gold mine injected Cajamarca with an avalanche of cash and a steady stream of moneyed engineers. Not many tourists pass through this way, but dozens of sights from the town’s pivotal past, including the famous Baños del Inca, will keep those that make it here absorbed for days.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009