Helpful Tips

Introduction

The following arrangements, suggestions and contacts that we offer here hold no obligation. Their purpose is simply to help you make the most of the little time you have here.

We would like to wish you a warm welcome to Cajamarca and to the team at Alternatoursperu. Cajamarca is a city, and region, of confounding natural beauty, of artists and musicians, of Peruvian Baroque architecture, of colonial charm with a strong native presence, of great historical importance and a promising future. Whatever your reasons for responding and following-up on our ad, professional or personal, we are here to help make sure that you achieve them. Please don’t hesitate to express your concerns or ask for advice.
Geography

The city of Cajamarca (capital city of Cajamarca region ) is located in a shallow Andean valley at 2750 m above sea level.   The Department is located in the northern Andes and shares its northern boarder with Ecuador.  The eastern boarder is formed by the Marañón River, one of the major tributaries to the great Amazon River.

Climate

The Andean climate consists of two seasons; wet and dry.  What is referred to as the “Andean Summer” coincides with the summer of the northern hemisphere and is termed as such (in spite of slightly colder temperatures; especially at night) because of the lack of rain and increased hours of sunshine.  The best months to travel in the Andes (especially trekking, camping etc.) is from mid-May to September although you may get some spectacular days throughout the remainder of the year with the benefit of lush vegetation.

Culture

Cajamarca boasts steeped traditions in painting, music, architecture, textiles, ceramics, sculpture and writing. 

It has been called the “land of painters” because of the popularity of its three great “indigenous” painters Mario Urteaga, Jose Sabogal and Camilo Blas.  The recent generations of Cajamarquinos are continuing in the footsteps of their predecessors with creative new styles.

Music is a very important part of the Cajamarca identity and it is commonplace to see citizens of all ages walking through the streets with their guitars on their backs. Most gatherings involve some music and singing. The musical energy reaches its peak when as it literally spills out onto the street during the week of, and weeks before, Carnival in February and March.

There are many stores that sell crafts of mediocre quality but with little effort you will locate a few with high quality ceramics, textiles, jewellery and paintings; original pieces with Cajamarca motifs as well as modern design.

The INC (Instituto Nacional de Cultura) is one the most active in the north of the country offering book presentations by local writers, art exhibitions, concerts and other events but keep your eyes open for posters throughout the city because there are frequently events of good quality that are not promoted through the INC.  It is a good idea to pass by the office of the INC in the Complejo Belen and sign-up for the monthly E-newsletter for a complete schedule of events and activities.

Religion

Peru is still largely catholic but it is a Christianity laced with Andean symbolism and traditions. Belief in witchery, and other types of metaphysical or empirical healing, is very strong among most sectors of society.  Over the last 150 years many evangelical Christian denominations have made strong impacts on Peruvian Christianity especially in the countryside.   There are also select, but numerous groups, that exercise eastern philosophies and religions. The most well known and accessible source of “alternative” philosophies is the Nuevo Acropolis which gives frequent classes on everything from The Modern Woman to classical Greek Philosophy.

            If you are a Christian you should be able to find a service, if not in your own denomination, in something philosophically very close. 

 Safety

Cajamarquinos will take any opportunity to tell you how their city has changed since the coming of the gold mine Yanacocha .   It is true that the city has changed greatly since the mine started in the early 90´s. If you simply take a little precaution when you are walking about or leave the apartment you will have no problems. Below is a list of tips to help out:

• Always lock the iron gate at the foot of the apartment.
• Lock the apartment door and the street entrance especially at night.
• Do not walk around with things you don’t need. Specifically passport, bank cards credit cards or cash. 
• The phone number for emergency assistance in the police is:  105

Health

• Cajamarca is not in a Malaria zone but it does see periods of risk for Yellow Fever. The yellow fever vaccine is not obligatory to enter the country but it may not be a bad idea. Cajamarca has little or no mosquitoes within the city but in the country side where there are many irrigation canals with slow moving or stationary water there are plenty.  Yellow Fever vaccine lasts for ten years.

    The combined Hep A/B vaccine is a good idea. No amount of precaution on your part will convince the restaurant worker to wash his/her hands.  Typhoid vaccinations are also recommended although likely of lesser importance.  For more information:  www.cdc.gov/travel/tropsam.htm

• It would be nothing short of a miracle if in your time in Peru you did not come down with some traveler’s diarrhoea.  The precautions are obvious but it sometimes means limiting yourself or wasting your time worrying.  In the end you could be fine after eating a 3 sol ceviche on the street corner and get sick after an expensive meal in an exclusive restaurant (although the hygiene standards are generally better in the nicer restaurants). So…pick your battles.
•    Don’t brush your teeth with tap water.
•   Peel EVERYTHING.  Have you ever peeled tomatoes before?
•   Don’t eat salad in restaurants. Once again, they majoritycould be very clean but you will never know.
•     Avoid ice in drinks.
•     Drink only bottled water. It is easy to find.

• The sun is very strong in the high altitudes of the Andes. Take care of yourself appropriately.                            
  

  
                                               Other Helpful Contacts/Tips

Telephone

Public Pay-Phones

Pay-Phones are abundant throughout majority of Peru. Even far off places have put in satellite phones lately and may even have slow internet service.  You may use most calling cards from public pay-phones. Some pay-phones only accept phone-cards.

                                               

Laundry

Lavandería Dandy………………….…...............Amalia Puga 545

            This laundry mat is one of very few in town because most people contract people to do the wash. The cost is 5 S/. per kg and does not include ironing.  One shirt costs 6 soles to have it ironed. Clothes are ready the next day.

Markets

There is one mall called "El Quinde" 8 blocks from the main square and several other smaller markets.  The main farmer’s market is cheaper and the best option for fruits and vegetables. The supermarkets are better for more rare and expensive items like dry wine, peanut butter or balsamic vinegar.

Drinking Water

You can buy 20L bottles or bag-boxes of mineral water in the markets but that does mean carrying 20kg of an uncomfortably long distances. There are many local water companies that deliver.

Cheese/Milk Products

Cajamarca is well-known in all of Peru for its milk products; especially cheese, butter and yogurt. There are some producers with much higher standards of production than others as the majority of production is still largely artisan or cottage industry.