What to See in Cajamarca

The Plaza de Armas of Cajamarca is considered the most important plaza in South America because it is the location where the Inca emperor Atahualpa was captured by Francisco Pizarro in 1532. Today you will find a beautiful octagonal stone pool signifying where the capture took place. In 1699, the place was finally named the Plaza Mayor of Cajamarca.

The Cathedral of Cajamarca was constructed during the late 17th and early 18th century and is located on the side of the Plaza de Armas. The façade with its three entrances represents the Baroque art and the main altar is completely covered with gold.

The San Francisco Church, built with carved stones in the late 17th century, is located in the city center of Cajamarca in front of the Plaza de Armas. The church has three naves, a dome with stained glass windows and walls with various niches, altarpieces, and wooden altars. The adjacent sanctuary is dedicated to the Virgin de los Dolores, the patron saint of Cajamarca. Next to the church you can also find the famous catacombs.

The Cuarto de Rescate (The Ransom Room) is the only Inca building in Cajamarca that still exists. In 1533 Pizarro imprisoned Atahualpa, the last Incan emperor, in this building. Atahualpa filled the room with gold in the hope of being released. However, he was executed after he had finished. Inside the Cuarto de Rescate you can see paintings showing the story of Atahualpa’s time in the room. The entrance ticket is not just valid for the Cuarto de Rescate but also for the Complejo de Belén as well as the Museo Arqueológico and Etnográfico.

The Belén Church can be found next to the Belén Monumental Complex. This baroque church is one of the most beautiful churches in Cajamarca with its cupola and well-carved pulpit. In the church, one can observe different wood carvings, among them is a wooden Christ. The inside of the church is not the only beautifully decorated area of the building because in addition, the outside walls of the church are adorned.

This natural viewpoint is located a few blocks from the city center. From above you can enjoy an amazing view of the city of Cajamarca and the valley. After climbing the stairs, one can also find a chapel dedicated to the Virgin of Fatima and at the top, one can see archaeological remains known as the "Silla del Inca". The Cerro Santa Apolonia is a place of leisure, walks, and beautiful gardens.

These natural hot springs are located 6 km from Cajamarca. Centuries ago it was a place of relaxation for the emperor, Atahualpa. Other than the hot springs, there is also a spa that offers massages.

The Otuzco Windows are located 8 km outside the city of Cajamarca in the Inca Baths district. Being the necropolis of an ancient pre-Inca culture, tourists can admire hundreds of 8 to 10 meter deep niches as well as galleries that were carved into the rock. These niches served as grain deposits. To keep the deposits fresh, the niches were re-directed against the wind. Some windows can be entered. Inside the windows, tourists can see obscure galleries that don’t seem to end.

The archaeological complex of Cumbemayo, located 20 km from the city of Cajamarca, is one of the oldest constructions in South America. It was constructed by the Cajamarca culture around 1,500 BC and consists of three archaeological groups. Most appealing is the aqueduct which runs 8 kilometers and carries water from the hills to the city. But also the sanctuary is worth a visit due to its interesting rock structure which resembles a big human head. Apart from the aqueduct and the sanctuary tourists can also visit caves and shelters at the complex.