Cajamarca: Hot Springs, Rock Formations and Cultural History

Cajamarca is a destination with a range of highlights: thermal waters in Baños del Inca, the archaeological site of Cumbemayo, cultural attractions and other points of interest across the province. If you’re looking for a hotel for your trip, first decide which of these highlights will shape your plans. This will help you focus your search on the topics that interest you.

Thermal Waters in Baños del Inca

Baños del Inca is home to the Poza del Inca. The pool is four meters long, four meters wide and 1.70 meters deep. These measurements give you a clear idea of the facility. Baños del Inca also has thermal waters with temperatures above 70 °C, as well as bathing pools where hot water is mixed with cold water. The information about the thermal waters and the pools describes different aspects of the bathing facilities.

The springs are also connected to history: the thermal springs of Baños del Inca are associated with their use by the Inca Atahualpa. This brings together the properties of the thermal waters and a historical connection at the same place—two aspects that can shape the focus of a visit.

Cumbemayo: Rock Formations and Access

The pre-Hispanic archaeological monument of Cumbemayo can be reached from Cajamarca via a gravel road heading southwest. The route heads toward the district of Chetilla and is approximately 19 kilometers long. For the specific journey, both the type of road and the approximate distance are relevant. Since road conditions can change, it’s advisable to check the current conditions before setting out.

The archaeological site includes a forest of volcanic rock formations known as Los Frailones or Monjes de Roca. This also helps define Cumbemayo through its landscape: the rock formations are a distinct part of the site, in addition to its archaeological significance. If you’re planning your trip around this destination, both the route and the striking rocky landscape are therefore key considerations.

Architectural History and Cultural Sites

The La Recoleta church and monastery complex consists of a church and a monastery. Both were built of stone and adobe bricks in the second half of the 17th century. The description of the complex thus brings together two types of buildings and identifies both the materials used and the period of construction.

On the upper part of Mirador del Cerro Santa Apolonia are the remains of a presumed sanctuary commonly known as “Silla del Inca.” The name and the cautious description of it as a presumed sanctuary go together. At the thermal springs of Baños del Inca, by contrast, the historical connection to Atahualpa is the main focus. These places offer different points of interest if you’re interested in architectural history, cultural heritage or archaeological sites.

Tours in Granja Porcón

Three tours for experiential, ecological and cultural tourism have been established in Granja Porcón. Each has a different thematic focus. If you’d like to include Granja Porcón in your plans, check in advance which tours are currently available, as their configuration may change.

In the Wider Cajamarca Destination

Beyond the province, the wider Cajamarca destination includes other protected areas and landscapes. The Santuario Nacional Tabaconas Namballe protects a representative area of páramo. The Refugio de Vida Silvestre Bosques Nublados de Udima protects a representative area of cloud forests on the western side of the Peruvian Andes, as well as associated dry-forest and Jalca ecosystems. Their conservation focuses differ: one centers on páramo, the other on cloud forests and their associated ecosystems.

Two farms also add to the picture of the wider destination. At Finca Agroturística Santa Fe, visitors can take walks around the property, including a visit to the Santa Fe waterfall. Confirm current public visitor arrangements locally. Finca La Arboleda has ten hectares of land used for agriculture, with coffee as its main product. This adds agriculture as a regional theme alongside protected areas and cultural sites.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Cajamarca, Llacanora

Back to the main travel overview: Cajamarca.