Your stay — Hostal Imperial
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The Property — Hostal Imperial
Stepping into the Hostal Imperial feels like stepping back to the 1940s, with polished wooden floors, heavy dark furniture and a tiled central courtyard that catches the Andean sun. It’s a simple, clean 3-star right on the Plaza de Armas, so you’re steps from the cathedral and main cafes. Not flashy, but solid: the staff are efficient, the rooms have good hot water, and the USP is location and quiet authenticity. Best for budget/independent travellers who value a central base over frills.
Chronicles of Cajamarca
Cajamarca was the site of the Inca emperor Atahualpa’s capture and execution by Spanish conquistadors in 1532 – the Ransom Room (El Cuarto del Rescate) still stands. Spanish colonial architecture dominates the centre, with a Baroque cathedral and the San Francisco church built over Inca foundations. The city remained a sleepy highland town until the 20th century, when the discovery of one of the world’s largest gold mines (Yanacocha) brought new wealth and tension. Today, Cajamarca is a university city and gateway for trips to the pre-Inca Cumbe Mayo ruins and the nearby hot springs at Baños del Inca. Its identity is proudly provincial: quieter than Cusco, more grounded, and fiercely attached to its dairy and mining roots.
Best Time to Visit
Full Cajamarca guide →Best months
July and August: dry season with clear skies and daytime highs around 18–20°C; also peak festival time (Cajamarca Festival in August).
Peak / festival surge
February for Carnaval: one of Peru’s biggest, with water fights, parades, and street parties. Hotel prices (including Hostal Imperial) can double or triple; book 6+ months ahead. August’s Festival de la Virgen del Rosario also spikes demand.
Budget shoulder season
September and November: still dry in September, clearer and cheaper; November is drier before the rains start, with discounts of 20–30% on February peak. Fewer tourists means a calmer plaza.
Weather & packing
Cajamarca sits at 2,750m, so UV is fierce even on overcast days. Rule: a warm fleece or jumper for mornings and evenings (temps drop to 5–8°C) plus a sun hat and sunscreen at noon.
Live City Briefing — Cajamarca
- The main Plaza de Armas has been partially pedestrianised since late 2025 – easier walking but some taxi/bus routes have changed, so check transfer drop-offs before arrival.
- The new municipal market (Mercado San Ignacio) opened in early 2026, with cleaner stalls and a food court – a better bet than the older market for lunch.
- July is dry and can be dusty – the annual Andean folkloric shows (Huaylas, Marinera) happen on weekend evenings near the cathedral, so expect loud music until 10pm on Saturday night.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal Imperial, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the interior courtyard. These upper floors avoid street noise from the front and any ground-floor bustle from the restaurant or reception area. The courtyard tends to be quieter, especially in the evening.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor, particularly those near the stairs or facing the street. First floor can pick up foot traffic from reception and early morning noise from the dining area. Rooms at the front suffer from street noise (cars, pedestrians, occasional music) given the hotel's central address in Cajamarca.
Best views
Courtyard-facing rooms on floors 3 and 4 offer a pleasant view of the inner patio, often with plants or a small garden, away from the street. Front-facing rooms look out onto a busy street in central Cajamarca — some life to watch, but with traffic and occasional market noise.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are quietest — further from the street and ground-floor common areas, and less likely to have foot traffic above you. No lift means less noise from machinery, but ask for a courtyard-facing room on these floors for the best peace.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise is the main issue — the hotel is on a central street in Cajamarca, so expect occasional car horns, mototaxis, and early morning market activity. The dining area starts serving breakfast around 7am, so ground-floor rooms hear clatter and voices. Stairs are wooden or concrete? They can amplify footsteps.
Insider tips
1) Ask for a room on floor 3 or 4 when booking — no lift here, so you'll get more quiet. 2) If you're driving, check if the hotel has street parking or an arrangement with a nearby lot; Cajamarca's centre can be tight for parking. 3) Request a courtyard-facing room in advance — it's the best value for a 3-star stay.
- 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 — Hostal Imperial
Free for all guests; speed around 20 Mbps; no login required
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader); no physical newspapers
Check-in from 14:00; early bag storage available from 08:00; late check-out until 13:00 for 30 PEN
Free for same-day; overnight storage 15 PEN per bag
Step-free access from street to lobby; wheelchair-accessible rooms available on ground floor; narrow doors in heritage wing
No on-site parking; nearest public car park at Plaza de Armas, 10 PEN per night with no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10 PEN per person per night
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required; 200 PEN incidental hold by card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Parroquia Celendín (152 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Virgen del Carmen (239 m · ~3 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Plaza de Armas — 235 m · ~3 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 41 m · ~1 min walk
Boticas Arcángel — 179 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Exchange money at banks or official exchange houses in the centre; the airport and tourist bureaux offer poor rates.
Cards are accepted at mid-range hotels, restaurants and larger shops, but have cash for markets, small eateries and taxis; contactless is growing but not universal.
No strict rule; round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants if service is good; taxis don't expect a tip; hotel porters 2-5 soles.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic coffee from a local café or market stall costs around 3-5 soles.
Menu del día at a simple local restaurant runs 8-15 soles and includes a starter, main and drink.
A main course at a modest local spot is 12-20 soles.
Cheap eats cluster around Plaza de Armas and the central market, selling anticuchos, salchipapas and empanadas from 2-6 soles each.
Real Plaza and Metro are the main supermarket chains in central Cajamarca.
For affordable clothing, head to the open-air stalls along Jirón del Comercio or the central market area.
The cheapest way around is by combi (shared minibus) at 1-2 soles per ride; from the airport, take a shared taxi or combi into town for about 3-5 soles.
Eat menu del día for lunch rather than dinner to get the best value; always carry small change as drivers and market stalls often can't break large bills; buy bottled water and snacks from supermarkets instead of tourist spots.
Good to know — Cajamarca
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.4 · 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 Hostal Imperial
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 41 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Boticas Arcángel — 179 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostal Imperial?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the interior courtyard. These upper floors avoid street noise from the front and any ground-floor bustle from the restaurant or reception area. The courtyard tends to be quieter, especially in the evening.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal Imperial?
Avoid rooms on the first floor, particularly those near the stairs or facing the street. First floor can pick up foot traffic from reception and early morning noise from the dining area. Rooms at the front suffer from street noise (cars, pedestrians, occasional music) given the hotel's central address in Cajamarca.
Is Hostal Imperial noisy?
Street noise is the main issue — the hotel is on a central street in Cajamarca, so expect occasional car horns, mototaxis, and early morning market activity. The dining area starts serving breakfast around 7am, so ground-floor rooms hear clatter and voices. Stairs are wooden or concrete? They can amplify footsteps.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal Imperial?
Courtyard-facing rooms on floors 3 and 4 offer a pleasant view of the inner patio, often with plants or a small garden, away from the street. Front-facing rooms look out onto a busy street in central Cajamarca — some life to watch, but with traffic and occasional market noise.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal Imperial?
1) Ask for a room on floor 3 or 4 when booking — no lift here, so you'll get more quiet. 2) If you're driving, check if the hotel has street parking or an arrangement with a nearby lot; Cajamarca's centre can be tight for parking. 3) Request a courtyard-facing room in advance — it's the best value for a 3-star stay.
What time is check-in at Hostal Imperial?
Check-in at Hostal Imperial is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal Imperial have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; speed around 20 Mbps; no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal Imperial?
10 PEN per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal Imperial?
Menu del día at a simple local restaurant runs 8-15 soles and includes a starter, main and drink.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal Imperial?
The cheapest way around is by combi (shared minibus) at 1-2 soles per ride; from the airport, take a shared taxi or combi into town for about 3-5 soles.
When is the best time to visit Cajamarca?
July and August: dry season with clear skies and daytime highs around 18–20°C; also peak festival time (Cajamarca Festival in August).
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.