Getting Around Cajamarca
Cajamarca sits high in the northern Andes, and its historic core is compact enough that most of the sights visitors come for can be covered on foot. The city is hilly, though, so expect some effort on the slopes, and take extra care after dark. Beyond walking, you have a choice of micro buses, mototaxis and taxis, with the airport and nearby attractions like Baños del Inca reachable by road.
Walking
The Plaza de Armas is the hub of the historic center, with restaurants, shops and attractions clustered around it. Most of the major sites in the city can be visited on foot, which makes walking the simplest and cheapest way to get oriented. The trade-off is the terrain: the city is hilly, so walks are more strenuous than the short distances might suggest. Safety is generally good, but it is wise to be cautious at night.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Cajamarca has no rail, metro or tram network for visitors to use. Getting around the city and reaching it from elsewhere is done by road or by air.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Public transport in Cajamarca is abundant and covers most areas, in the form of buses, minibuses and colectivos, alongside taxis and mototaxis. The network is manageable but not always comfortable, especially if you are unfamiliar with local systems.
- Micro buses, colectivos or combis — Peruvians call them micro buses. They are a very cheap and easy way to get around, with most trips costing S/1 (sol) or less, and you don't need to haggle over the fare. They are often crowded and somewhat dangerous. Combis are minivans that serve short routes and are described as practical and fast; larger microbuses are used for interprovincial connections.
- Mototaxis — three-wheeled converted motorcycles with a roof and doors, seating two passengers. They are the smallest but fastest mode in the city and are used to extend combi and micro routes. They are very economical and lots of fun, but a little dangerous, as they don't fare well in accidents. Most trips in town run between S/2 and S/3.
- Micro buses for the airport, Otuzco and Combayo leave at the first intersection of Dos de Mayo, northwest of the river.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis serve both long and short routes, and fares are cheaper than in Lima. Most taxis are Daewoo Ticos or Toyota Corolla wagons. Taxis lack meters, so fares must be negotiated: ask the driver what the fare is before you get in, and whatever fare you agree to includes the tip. Expect to pay around S/7 for a trip in town, and about S/15 to the airport or to Baños del Inca. Taxis are also the primary transport to and from the city airport.
If you prefer to book ahead, several taxi companies operate in the city:
- Taxi Seguro — +51 76 365103 or +51 76 365362
- Super Seguro — +51 76 507090
- Taxi Unidos — +51 76 366438
Cycling
Cycling is viable for visiting the city's tourist sites, as Cajamarca has few and minimal slopes in the areas you'd want to cover. Travel agencies organize bicitours, personal or group, with itineraries of one, two or three days; packages include private transport, a guided route, cycling equipment (bicycle, elbow pads, knee pads, helmet), hydration and optional accommodation. City-center hotels rent bicycles by the hour or for a full day, and bicycle workshops and spare-parts shops can be found a couple of blocks from the Plaza de Armas and elsewhere in the city. That said, cycling is hindered by the hilly landscape, a lack of dedicated bike lanes and sparse cycling infrastructure, and routes often require rugged bikes suited to dirt paths. It is not always safe or practical given the limited cycling support and local traffic conditions.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Service to Cajamarca is by bus or by air, with daily flights from Lima arriving at Aeropuerto Armando Revoredo. Taxis are the primary transport to and from the city airport, and the fare is about S/15. Micro buses serving the airport leave from the first intersection of Dos de Mayo, northwest of the river.
Getting In and Out of Cajamarca
Long-distance travel to and from the city is by bus or air. There are luxury buses (about 16 hours), and several buses a day make the trip from Trujillo (7 hours). Travelers can continue on to the town of Celendín, with connecting buses to Chachapoyas. It is also possible to travel through the highlands by road to Chota and back down to Chiclayo. Linea offers connections from, among other places, Chiclayo, Pacasmayo and Trujillo.
City Tours
For regional attractions, private-vehicle tours are available, with routes including Baños del Inca, Cumbemayo, Llacanora, Ventanillas de Otuzco, Namora and Granja Porcón. Companies are located around the Plaza de Armas and offer various package prices.