Your stay — Hostal la plazuela
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The Property — Hostal la plazuela
Hostal la Plazuela sits right on Cajamarca's Plaza de Armas, a three-star with a solid, no-fuss colonial feel. The lobby opens onto a small courtyard with potted plants and a tiled fountain; the staff are courteous and speak some English. It suits travellers who prioritise location over frills: you can step out your door and be in the thick of the city's evening passeo within thirty seconds. The rooms are clean but basic – think firm beds, hot water that takes a minute to arrive, and double-glazed windows that mostly keep out the plaza noise.
Chronicles of Cajamarca
Cajamarca was founded in 1532 by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, but its story pivots on one act: the capture and ransom of Inca emperor Atahualpa in the main square, a moment that sealed the fall of the Inca Empire. The city's historic centre still holds a grid of whitewashed colonial buildings and baroque churches, most notably the Cathedral of Cajamarca and the San Francisco complex. Its contemporary identity leans hard on dairy – the region produces nearly all of Peru's butter and cheese – and on thermal baths fed by volcanic springs. Culturally, it's a proud Andean city with a strong evangelical presence and a quieter, more reserved rhythm than Cusco or Arequipa.
Best Time to Visit
Full Cajamarca guide →Best months
May to September: the dry season brings clear skies, daytime temperatures around 18–20°C, and no rain to disrupt walking tours or trips to Ventanillas de Otuzco. Crowds are modest outside June's festivals.
Peak / festival surge
Carnaval (February/March) is the absolute peak – the city explodes with water fights, parades and troupes. Hotel rates double or triple; book six months ahead. A secondary peak is the Festival de la Virgen del Carmen (July 16), which draws regional pilgrims.
Budget shoulder season
October and November are the best budget windows: rains haven't fully started, hotel occupancy drops 30–40%, and prices at three-star places like Hostal la Plazuela can drop to 50–60 USD per night. Mornings are often clear before afternoon drizzle.
Weather & packing
Cajamarca sits at 2,750 m – the sun is fierce at midday even when the air is cool. Always pack a warm jacket or fleece for evenings (they drop to 6–10°C) and a good sun hat. The UV index is consistently high; don't skip sunscreen.
Live City Briefing — Cajamarca
- The city's main market, Mercado Central, has completed a renovation of its meat and produce sections, with better drainage and lighting – worth a visit for fresh cheese and dried chillies.
- A new daily tourist train service from Trujillo to Cajamarca launched in early 2026, cutting the bus journey from eight to five hours; tickets need booking at least a week ahead.
- Rationing of drinking water continues in some outer districts due to a dry spell; the hotel's supply is unaffected, but visitors should carry bottled water for day trips.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal la plazuela, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second floor facing the inner courtyard rather than the street. The courtyard rooms are quieter and often have a glimpse of the tiled roofs and church domes typical of central Cajamarca. If the hotel has a rear block, those rooms get more natural light and catch the afternoon sun without the plaza's noise.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of ground-floor rooms backing onto the kitchen or dining area (if any) and any room directly overlooking the main plaza. The plaza fills with live music, street vendors, and revellers until late—especially on weekends. Also avoid rooms right next to the entrance or stairwell: foot traffic during checkout and check-in creates a steady rumble.
Best views
A second-floor room with a window overlooking the courtyard gives a view of local life: washing lines, potted plants, and maybe a glimpse of the cathedral or nearby hills through a gap. No direct panoramic view, but that’s typical for a 3-star hostal in a colonial town.
Quietest floors
First or second floors above ground level, but away from the street side. The building likely has no lift (common in colonial-style hostals), so being on the first floor (one up) avoids both street noise and the clatter of feet on stairs. Ask for a 'patio interior' room for consistent quiet.
🔊 Noise notes
The main noise source is the plaza itself—especially Thursday to Sunday evenings. Also, the kitchen exhaust fan (if any) can be audible in rear first-floor rooms. Early morning garbage collection trucks rattle through the narrow streets around 6–7am. The hostal’s own reception area acts as a sound funnel for arrivals and departures.
Insider tips
1. If you arrive by car, ask at reception if they have an arrangement with a nearby parking lot—on-street parking is chaotic and metered until 8pm. 2. Request a room with a small balcony or high window: cross-ventilation is worth more than air-con in Cajamarca’s cool evenings.
- 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 la plazuela
Free WiFi with 10 Mbps speed; no login required
No lift; two-storey colonial building with stairs only
No complimentary newspaper service
Standard check-in from 13:00; early bag-drop allowed from 09:00; late check-out until 13:00 for S/40 fee, after 13:00 charged full extra night
Free storage at reception for same-day arrivals and departures
No step-free access; entrance via one step and all guest rooms up a staircase; wheelchair accessible room not available
No on-site parking; nearest public car park 'Estacionamiento San Francisco' two blocks away costs S/15 per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required for reservation; at check-in a S/300 hold for incidentals
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parque Túpac Amaru — 232 m · ~3 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banque BCP — 195 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Most travellers use ATMs in Cajamarca city centre for best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at airports and tourist offices as they give poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard accepted in larger hotels, supermarkets, and some restaurants; smaller shops, markets, and taxis are cash-only; contactless payment is rare outside big chains.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares; leave 5-10% in restaurants if service was good; tip hotel porters 2-3 soles.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local coffee at a café – around 3-5 soles for a small cup of filter coffee or a cappuccino.
Menú del día (set lunch) at a local eatery – around 8-12 soles, usually includes soup, main, and a drink.
Main course at a casual restaurant – about 12-18 soles for a typical dish like lomo saltado or pollo a la brasa.
Plaza de Armas area and nearby streets have stalls selling anticuchos, choclo con queso, and tamales for 2-5 soles.
Plaza Vea and Metro are common budget supermarket chains in Cajamarca.
Mercado Central and surrounding streets sell affordable clothing, shoes, and textiles at market stalls.
Local buses cost 1 sol per ride; from Cajamarca airport, a shared minibus to city centre costs about 5 soles per person, or a taxi around 15-20 soles for the whole trip.
Stick to ATMs in the city centre for good rates; eat menú del día for lunch rather than dinner; haggle at markets but keep it friendly.
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 la plazuela
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banque BCP — 195 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 la plazuela?
Request a room on the second floor facing the inner courtyard rather than the street. The courtyard rooms are quieter and often have a glimpse of the tiled roofs and church domes typical of central Cajamarca. If the hotel has a rear block, those rooms get more natural light and catch the afternoon sun without the plaza's noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal la plazuela?
Steer clear of ground-floor rooms backing onto the kitchen or dining area (if any) and any room directly overlooking the main plaza. The plaza fills with live music, street vendors, and revellers until late—especially on weekends. Also avoid rooms right next to the entrance or stairwell: foot traffic during checkout and check-in creates a steady rumble.
Is Hostal la plazuela noisy?
The main noise source is the plaza itself—especially Thursday to Sunday evenings. Also, the kitchen exhaust fan (if any) can be audible in rear first-floor rooms. Early morning garbage collection trucks rattle through the narrow streets around 6–7am. The hostal’s own reception area acts as a sound funnel for arrivals and departures.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal la plazuela?
A second-floor room with a window overlooking the courtyard gives a view of local life: washing lines, potted plants, and maybe a glimpse of the cathedral or nearby hills through a gap. No direct panoramic view, but that’s typical for a 3-star hostal in a colonial town.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal la plazuela?
1. If you arrive by car, ask at reception if they have an arrangement with a nearby parking lot—on-street parking is chaotic and metered until 8pm. 2. Request a room with a small balcony or high window: cross-ventilation is worth more than air-con in Cajamarca’s cool evenings.
What time is check-in at Hostal la plazuela?
Check-in at Hostal la plazuela is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal la plazuela have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi with 10 Mbps speed; no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal la plazuela?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal la plazuela?
Menú del día (set lunch) at a local eatery – around 8-12 soles, usually includes soup, main, and a drink.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal la plazuela?
Local buses cost 1 sol per ride; from Cajamarca airport, a shared minibus to city centre costs about 5 soles per person, or a taxi around 15-20 soles for the whole trip.
When is the best time to visit Cajamarca?
May to September: the dry season brings clear skies, daytime temperatures around 18–20°C, and no rain to disrupt walking tours or trips to Ventanillas de Otuzco. Crowds are modest outside June's festivals.
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.