Cajamarca is The Gem of Peru

Sorry Machu, but anyone who's ever visited Cajamarca, Peru knows exactly why it's such a unique location. I went in the summer of 2019 with a group of about 14 people. We had been to Lima, and Trujillo and the beaches of Huanchaco. Every single one of us was glad we never got to visit Machu Picchu, because we spent so much time in Cajamarca and absolutely fell in love.

Large towns in South America are usually very busy, very crowded, and expensive. Cajamarca has a bustling small town feel, with an escape into the mountains where the only other people you find are Quechua women, and maybe one or two other groups of tourists who are trying to hike the same mountains as you (and pretend everyone isn't dying for oxygen from the altitude). The culture is so vibrant that you can walk outside of the hotel and be surrounded by markets selling authentic dishes and gorgeous jewelry. You're in an oasis that's also an adventure.

So you want to have more of a cultural deep dive, like maybe Machu Picchu offers thousands of visitors every year. Visit the archeological sites near town and you can walk through the entire Incan Empire. Atahualpa is extremely well known, he was the leader of the Incas who was held for ransom by Francisco Pizzaro (a Spanish conquistador). You can visit the room he was held hostage in, as well as see the line he promised to fill the room up to in gold for Pizzaro. Unfortunately, even when the room was almost filled to the line, they killed Atahualpa anyways and began the downfall of the Incan Empire. Go visit the Ransom Room near the heart of the city, you won't regret it.

Not enough history? Tour Cumbemayo, a hike filled with man-made canals, and geological formations. You'll have to ask your guide about what they think any petroglyphs mean, because most of them haven't been deciphered. If you're not a hiker, run off to Ventanillas de Combayo to see the strange mausoleum and wonder about what makes them so enticingly eerie. The history of these are pretty vague so you'll have to see for yourself if you can uncover why these were made the way they are. If you just don't want to be outside at all, tour the many shops around town, or visit the cathedral right next to Plaza de Armas.

Historical attractions aren't the only things Cajamarca can boast about. The culture is exquisite. As we talked about earlier, it's vibrant. It's full of Quechua, from the Incan Empire heritage of the town and surrounding areas. There are many other cultural and ethnic groups here, but they all recognize the historical and cultural aspects of the city they live in and love. They're one of the friendliest groups of people I've ever met, and probably the kindest. If you need something, someone will be there to show you, help you, inform you of whatever you need.

Just walking around the center of town in Plaza de Armas feels like a vacation in itself. It's so fast moving, and relaxed at the same time. You can sit on a park bench while taxis are bustling through, and watch as kids play in the grass. But, if you do need some sort of spa getaway, there are hot springs in Baños del Inca.

It doesn't matter what kind of atmosphere you're looking for. Cajamarca has it all. Their food, culture, history, people, will be what you need right now. Take a break and go visit sometime. If you're going to South America, plan a trip here as your first stop. You'll thank me later.