Magdalena: Festival Day, Townscape and Getting There

Magdalena is associated with the procession in honor of Virgen Santa María Magdalena, as well as with sugarcane and grape production. Archaeological sites and a suspension bridge of historical significance are located in the district or nearby. Several routes describe how to get there from different directions.

Festival Traditions and Townscape

The procession in honor of Virgen Santa María Magdalena passes through the town’s main streets on July 22. It is joined by the Chunchos dance groups typical of the district. Palla groups accompany the procession and sing songs in honor of the patron saint. Dance and song are therefore two distinct elements of the same procession. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival day, check the specific event dates.

Some of the houses are made of rammed earth. Open doors and bottles of aguardiente displayed on tables are also part of the townscape. This brings together architectural features and a locally prominent product: aguardiente is also one of the sugarcane products associated with Magdalena.

Sugarcane and Grapes

Magdalena is known for its significant local production of sugarcane and grapes; grape growing has a long tradition here. Aguardiente, chancaca and sugarcane syrup are among the most prominent sugarcane products. Wine is also associated with grape production and the community’s efforts. The two agricultural specialties can be distinguished: three specific products stand out for sugarcane, while grape growing and wine form a connected local specialty.

Getting to Magdalena

A regional route guide from 2019 describes the Ciudad de Dios–Cajamarca road as the main access route to Magdalena and characterizes it as paved, with two lanes in each direction, and in good condition. Check current road conditions before setting out. From Cajamarca, the coastal road passes through Abra del Gavilán, Chotén and San Juan to Choropampa, and then continues to the district capital; the route guide gives an approximate journey time of an hour and a half.

Another route from Cajamarca follows the road to Cumbe Mayo. Two kilometers before the archaeological center, the Andean road branches off. It runs via Acshupata, Corral Blanco, San Cristóbal, Cumbico and Ñamas, then descends via Cerro Trinchera, with views of the valley and the town of Magdalena. The route guide gives an average journey time of two hours and a distance of 72.5 kilometers. As a guide, the coastal road takes about an hour and a half, compared with an average of two hours for the route via Cumbe Mayo; a distance is provided only for the second route. From the Pan-American Highway, a route to the district capital passes through Ciudad de Dios, Tembladera, Chilete, Huaquillas and La Viña.

Archaeological Sites and Routes Nearby

The archaeological site of Paredones, also known as Chectarume, is in the hamlet of La Viña on the right bank of the Río Jequetepeque, about six kilometers from the Magdalena district. It includes the remains of a residential center and a military complex. These two components give the site distinct archaeological associations.

The archaeological complex of Cumbemayo is also located in the Magdalena district. It includes volcanic rock formations shaped by erosion, known as Los Frailones or Monjes de Roca. Camping during the dry season is an activity associated with the complex. If you plan to camp, check in advance whether this is currently possible and what access arrangements apply.

Puente Colgante Huaquillas is about 10.5 kilometers from the town of Magdalena and connects the hamlet of Huaquillas with the Anexo Chingavilán. Locals remember it as part of the old road that connected the Chilete district with Cajamarca Province. Its role in connecting the two places and its historical significance are distinct aspects of the bridge.

If you’re looking for a hotel in Magdalena, the locations of the attractions are a practical starting point: the procession, townscape and local production relate to the town itself, while Paredones, Cumbemayo and the suspension bridge are in the surrounding area or elsewhere in the district. If you plan to visit these sites, take their routes and locations into account when choosing the focus of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Santo Tomas, Jaén, Chontabamba, San Andres, San Juan, Baños del Inca, Namora, Encañada.

For the broader travel overview: Cajamarca.