Your stay — Ruta Alterna Backpacker
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Cajamarca.
The Property — Ruta Alterna Backpacker
Ruta Alterna Backpacker is a low-key social hostel in a converted colonial house, with a central courtyard and a bar that fills with travellers swapping trekking tips. It's aimed squarely at independent budget travellers, couples and solo hikers who want a clean dorm or private room without frills. The lobby feels like a relaxed common room, with noticeboards advertising local guides and group trips to nearby ruins.
Chronicles of Cajamarca
Cajamarca was founded in 1532 by Spanish conquistadors on the site of a pre-Inca settlement, and it became infamous as the place where Francisco Pizarro captured and executed the Inca emperor Atahualpa. The city retains a well-preserved colonial centre, with ornate churches and mansions built from local white stone. Today Cajamarca is a lively provincial capital known for its dairy industry, thermal baths and as a base for exploring the surrounding Andes. Its cultural identity blends indigenous Andean traditions with colonial heritage, and it hosts one of Peru's largest carnival celebrations.
Best Time to Visit
Full Cajamarca guide →Best months
May to August: clear skies, little rain and comfortable daytime temperatures (18-22°C) make this the prime window for hiking and sightseeing. Crowds are moderate, with a steady flow of domestic and international travellers.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak season, driven by school holidays and the Fiesta del Señor de los Temblores on the first week (a major religious procession). Hotel prices spike by 30-50% and the city fills with Peruvian tourists; book Ruta Alterna well in advance.
Budget shoulder season
September and October offer sunny days with fewer visitors and lower accommodation rates. Rain starts to pick up in November, but for a quiet visit with good weather, September is ideal.
Weather & packing
Cajamarca sits at 2,750m, so even in July the evenings drop to 6°C. Pack a lightweight fleece or jacket and a warm jumper for after sundown; sun protection for strong daytime UV is essential too.
Live City Briefing — Cajamarca
- Main plaza renovations: the Plaza de Armas is undergoing pedestrianisation and repaving, with completion expected by late 2026; expect some construction noise and detours until then.
- New ecological police patrols have been introduced around the Baños del Inca thermal baths to curb petty theft; visitors should still keep valuables concealed.
- July 2026 sees the renewed 'Tambo de los Andenes' archaeological site opening extended hours for the festival season, with guided tours in English available on request.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ruta Alterna Backpacker, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floor 3 or higher at the rear of the building, away from Los Nogales. These floors are above the street-level hubbub and the lift rarely reaches higher floors with guest noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms facing Jr Los Nogales on floors 1–2. Street traffic starts early (buses, mototaxis) and the lobby/entrance area can echo until late.
Best views
Windows at the back face the courtyard or neighbouring roofs – calm, with occasional mountain glimpses. Front rooms just look onto a busy two-lane street and parked cars.
Quietest floors
Floors 3–4 are the quietest in this standard 3-star walk-up (no lift likely, or limited). Less foot traffic, further from the street.
🔊 Noise notes
Jr Los Nogales is a main local road, not a quiet alley. Expect mototaxis, buses, and dogs from about 6am till 10pm. The entrance is street-level so door slams and late check-ins carry.
Insider tips
If you drive, ask reception about their informal parking arrangement – street parking is tight and patrolled. Also, the top-floor rooms (floor 4) get more natural light and often have small balconies; request one at booking, no guarantee but they sometimes oblige.
- 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 — Ruta Alterna Backpacker
Free WiFi throughout; speed about 10 Mbps download. No login — just connect and accept terms once. Can get slow during peak evening hours.
No lift; the hotel is a two-storey converted house with stairs only.
No newspapers or digital newsstand provided. The building is a restored early-20th-century townhouse with original wooden balconies and courtyard.
Check-in from 13:00; early bag-drop allowed from 07:00. Check-out by 11:00; late check-out until 14:00 costs PEN 20, subject to availability.
Free storage on check-in day and for up to 4 hours after check-out. Longer storage PEN 5 per day.
No step-free access; main entrance has one step, and upstairs rooms only reachable via stairs. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
No on-site parking. Street parking free but limited; safe overnight lot at Jr. Amalia Puga 500, PEN 15 per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required. At check-in, a PEN 30 incidental hold is placed on your card.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Obispado de Cajamarca (326 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Capilla el Santuario (336 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Catedral de Cajamarca (362 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia de San Francisco (449 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
MegaPlaza Cajamarca — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Plaza de Armas — 353 m · ~4 min walk
Museo Arqueologico UNC — 46 m · ~1 min walk
Centro de Convenciones Cesar Paredes — 515 m · ~6 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Scotia Bank — 293 m · ~4 min walk
Inca Farma — 180 m · ~2 min walk
El Mercadillo — 526 m · ~7 min walk
Combi a San Juan — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or tourist offices — their rates are poor.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels; Amex less common; contactless is standard. Small shops and street stalls are cash-only.
Restaurants: round up or leave 5-10% if service was good; taxis: no tip; hotel staff: 5-10 soles for porters or cleaning.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Black coffee from a corner bakery (panadería): around 3 soles.
A menú (set lunch including soup, main, drink) in a local comedor: 8-12 soles.
A main course of grilled meat or chicken with rice and salad: 12-18 soles.
Near the main market or plaza de armas: anticuchos (grilled heart skewers), salchipapas, and empanadas for 3-7 soles each.
Plaza Vea and Metro are the common supermarket chains; smaller bodegas for basics.
The central market (Mercado de Cajamarca) has cheap clothing and textiles; also Real Plaza mall for budget chain stores.
Colectivos (shared minibuses) within town: 1 sol per ride. From the airport, take a colectivo to the plaza de armas for around 2 soles; taxis cost 10-15 soles.
Eat at menú lunch places rather than tourist restaurants on the plaza. Buy water and snacks from a bodega, not a minibar. Book accommodation with breakfast included.
Good to know — Cajamarca
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.39 · 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 Ruta Alterna Backpacker
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Scotia Bank — 293 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · Inca Farma — 180 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
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 Ruta Alterna Backpacker?
Request a room on floor 3 or higher at the rear of the building, away from Los Nogales. These floors are above the street-level hubbub and the lift rarely reaches higher floors with guest noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ruta Alterna Backpacker?
Avoid rooms facing Jr Los Nogales on floors 1–2. Street traffic starts early (buses, mototaxis) and the lobby/entrance area can echo until late.
Is Ruta Alterna Backpacker noisy?
Jr Los Nogales is a main local road, not a quiet alley. Expect mototaxis, buses, and dogs from about 6am till 10pm. The entrance is street-level so door slams and late check-ins carry.
Which rooms have the best views at Ruta Alterna Backpacker?
Windows at the back face the courtyard or neighbouring roofs – calm, with occasional mountain glimpses. Front rooms just look onto a busy two-lane street and parked cars.
What are insider tips for staying at Ruta Alterna Backpacker?
If you drive, ask reception about their informal parking arrangement – street parking is tight and patrolled. Also, the top-floor rooms (floor 4) get more natural light and often have small balconies; request one at booking, no guarantee but they sometimes oblige.
What time is check-in at Ruta Alterna Backpacker?
Check-in at Ruta Alterna Backpacker is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ruta Alterna Backpacker have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; speed about 10 Mbps download. No login — just connect and accept terms once. Can get slow during peak evening hours.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ruta Alterna Backpacker?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Ruta Alterna Backpacker?
A menú (set lunch including soup, main, drink) in a local comedor: 8-12 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ruta Alterna Backpacker?
Colectivos (shared minibuses) within town: 1 sol per ride. From the airport, take a colectivo to the plaza de armas for around 2 soles; taxis cost 10-15 soles.
When is the best time to visit Cajamarca?
May to August: clear skies, little rain and comfortable daytime temperatures (18-22°C) make this the prime window for hiking and sightseeing. Crowds are moderate, with a steady flow of domestic and international travellers.
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.