Cajamarca Plaza de Armas in Cajamarca One of the most interesting Andean cities is Cajamarca. The city, at 2650 m above sea level, is the capital of the department with the same name. The quiet and friendly city has a population of about 70,000. Its atmosphere is colonial and relaxed. Street in downtown Cajamarca. Image © Luc Sicard Image © Damian A. Isla Since Cajamarca lies somewhat isolated in the northern Sierra, it is not a major tourist site, although it has enough to offer. Not far from Cajamarca are the Baños del Inca, natural hot springs channeled by the Inca. The Inca Atahualpa was bathing in this curative springs when Pizarro, the Spanish conqueror, arrived in this area. Street in downtown Cajamarca. Image © Luc Sicard Cajamarca lies in an area of exceptional cultural and natural interest. In the department of Cajamarca are the canyons of the Marañon river, high mountains, jungle and cloudforests. Landscape outside Cajamarca. Image © Luc Sicard Nearby the city is another major pre-inca site, Ventanillas de Otuzco. It is a funeral place, situated on a hill that consists of hundreds of niches built into it. Ventanillas de Otuzco. Image © Luc Sicard