Your stay — Arco
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The Property — Arco
The Arco is a no-frills two-star in central Cajamarca, just off the Plaza de Armas. Standing in its small lobby, you get clean tiled floors, a reception desk that works quickly, and the faint hum of street life through the front door. It suits budget travellers who need a safe, central base for a night and don't mind basic furniture and thin walls.
Chronicles of Cajamarca
Cajamarca was founded in 1532 by Spanish conquistadors on an Inca settlement, and it's best known as the site where Francisco Pizarro captured the Inca emperor Atahualpa. The city's colonial core still holds ornate churches and mansions built with local volcanic stone, earning it a UNESCO tentative listing for its historical centre. Today, Cajamarca is a relaxed highland city that blends mining wealth with a strong rural and dairy culture—it's the capital of Peru's cheese and manjar blanco region. Visitors come for its thermal baths, pre-Columbian ruins, and the annual Carnival, which fills the streets with parades and water fights.
Best Time to Visit
Full Cajamarca guide →Best months
May to September: dry season with clear skies and daytime highs around 18°C; crowds are moderate, and outdoor exploring is easy.
Peak / festival surge
February (Carnaval) and July (Fiestas Patrias): Carnaval fills the city with music, processions and tourists; hotel prices can jump 30-40% and rooms book out months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
April and October: you get drier weather than in the rainy season, fewer tourists, and often 10-20% lower room rates than peak months.
Weather & packing
Cajamarca sits at 2,750m, so days are warm but nights drop sharply to 5-8°C. Pack a fleece or light jacket for evenings and a rain shell just in case, even in the dry season.
Live City Briefing — Cajamarca
- The city's main market, Mercado de San Sebastián, reopened in early 2025 after renovations—good for local cheese and handicrafts.
- Roadworks on Jirón de la Unión near the Plaza de Armas may cause minor delays for taxis; walking is usually faster.
- Cajamarca's dry season is in full swing now, so expect sunny days but cold nights; many hotels lack heating, so bring an extra layer.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Arco, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor, away from the stairwell. At only two floors, the top floor (second) is quieter from street-level footfall, and the back-facing rooms avoid street noise from the Cajamarca road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street — that means the side along the Cajamarca address — as they pick up traffic, pedestrian din, and early morning market activity. Also avoid rooms next to the single lift (if present); lift machinery hums through thin walls in a 2-star hotel.
Best views
Back-facing rooms on the first or second floor give a view over the courtyard or neighbouring rooftops — not scenic, but avoids the main street. No mountain or plaza view from a 2-star on a city road.
Quietest floors
First floor (first above ground) is quieter than ground. Second floor (top) is quietest if the roof insulation is decent, but may have more ceiling noise from any rooftop equipment.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel sits on Cajamarca's main road, so expect traffic noise 6am–9pm plus occasional honking. Markets and minivans are common. Thin walls typical at this star level mean corridor noise from other guests is a real thing.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a back-facing room when booking — it's free. 2. Bring earplugs; the street-facing side is loud even on upper floors. 3. Check-in after 3pm to avoid the worst of the lobby noise during cleaning changeover.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Arco
Free basic Wi-Fi in all rooms and common areas; speed sufficient for email and browsing, not for streaming.
No lift – the hotel is two-storey with stairs only; no historic wings.
No newspapers or digital newsstand; a TV with local channels in the lobby.
Check-in from 13:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 14:00 costs PEN 40.
Free for day of arrival/departure; longer storage PEN 10 per bag per day.
No step-free access – two steps at main entrance; ground-floor rooms available but no wheelchair-friendly bathrooms.
No on-site parking; free street parking on Jr. Cajamarca is first-come, first-served. Nearest public car park (Estacionamiento El Dorado) is two blocks away – PEN 15 per night, 24-hour. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (tourist tax is included in the room rate; no separate city tax is charged)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required 48 hours before arrival; a PEN 100 cash or card hold for incidentals at check-in.
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Change money at banks or exchange houses in Cajamarca city centre; avoid airport kiosks for poor rates.
Cards accepted in larger shops and hotels, but cash is essential for markets, taxis, and small eateries.
Round up bills in restaurants (about 10% for good service); no tipping needed for taxis or hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee or café con leche at a local café costs around 5-6 soles.
A set lunch menu (menú) with soup, main, and drink costs 10-15 soles in local comedores.
A main dish in a casual restaurant runs 15-25 soles.
Look for street stalls near Plaza de Armas or Mercado Central for anticuchos, choclo, and tamales.
Supermercados like Metro and Tottus are common for basic groceries.
Mercado Central and nearby streets have affordable clothing and local artisan goods.
Minibuses cost 1-2 soles per ride; from Cajamarca airport, take a colectivo or shared shuttle for 5-10 soles into town.
Eat at menú lunches rather than dinner. Use minibuses instead of taxis. Buy water and snacks at supermarkets, not tourist stalls.
Good to know — Cajamarca
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.41 · PEN
Emergency Contacts
Cajamarca105 or 181 for general information and tourist assistance
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Cajamarca, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Arco
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Cajamarca Bus Terminal → Hostal Caribe
💡 Buy tickets from the driver or at a kiosk
Jaen Airport (JAU) → Cajamarca Bus Terminal
💡 Buy tickets at the airport or in advance at the terminal
Jaen Airport (JAU) → Hostal Caribe
💡 Negotiate the price before you start your journey
Cajamarca Bus Terminal → Hostal Caribe
💡 Flag down the colectivo on the main street
About Cajamarca
Wikipedia ↗
Fútbol Club Cajamarca, commonly known as FC Cajamarca or Cajamarca, is a Peruvian football club based in the city of Cajamarca, Peru. It was founded in 2023 and participates in the Liga 1, the top tier of the Peruvian football league system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Arco?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor, away from the stairwell. At only two floors, the top floor (second) is quieter from street-level footfall, and the back-facing rooms avoid street noise from the Cajamarca road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Arco?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street — that means the side along the Cajamarca address — as they pick up traffic, pedestrian din, and early morning market activity. Also avoid rooms next to the single lift (if present); lift machinery hums through thin walls in a 2-star hotel.
Is Arco noisy?
The hotel sits on Cajamarca's main road, so expect traffic noise 6am–9pm plus occasional honking. Markets and minivans are common. Thin walls typical at this star level mean corridor noise from other guests is a real thing.
Which rooms have the best views at Arco?
Back-facing rooms on the first or second floor give a view over the courtyard or neighbouring rooftops — not scenic, but avoids the main street. No mountain or plaza view from a 2-star on a city road.
What are insider tips for staying at Arco?
1. Ask for a back-facing room when booking — it's free. 2. Bring earplugs; the street-facing side is loud even on upper floors. 3. Check-in after 3pm to avoid the worst of the lobby noise during cleaning changeover.
What time is check-in at Arco?
Check-in at Arco is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Arco have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi in all rooms and common areas; speed sufficient for email and browsing, not for streaming.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Arco?
None (tourist tax is included in the room rate; no separate city tax is charged)
Where can I eat cheaply near Arco?
A set lunch menu (menú) with soup, main, and drink costs 10-15 soles in local comedores.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Arco?
Minibuses cost 1-2 soles per ride; from Cajamarca airport, take a colectivo or shared shuttle for 5-10 soles into town.
When is the best time to visit Cajamarca?
May to September: dry season with clear skies and daytime highs around 18°C; crowds are moderate, and outdoor exploring is easy.
Top Attractions in Cajamarca
💡 Take a moment to appreciate the stunning stained glass windows and the intricate stone carvings.
💡 Look out for the stunning views of the surrounding Andean mountains from the top of the garden.
💡 Look out for the ornate fountains and the statue of Juan Pizarro, the Spanish conquistador who founded the city.
💡 Take a taxi or bus to the waterfall and hike down to the base for a refreshing swim.
💡 Look out for the impressive collection of pre-Columbian artifacts, including pottery and textiles.