Chota
Plaza, cathedral, highland routes, San Juan Bautista festival, and one of Northern Peru's most famous bullfighting traditions: Chota is a distinctive Andean town in the Cajamarca region and an exciting stop between Cajamarca, Bambamarca, Cutervo, and Chiclayo.
Plan your trip directly
The highland city with a strong character of its own.
Chota is located in the northern highlands of the Cajamarca region, on the Acunta plateau and about 150 kilometers north of Cajamarca. The city is the capital of the Chota province.
Those who visit Chota experience a different side of Cajamarca: less touristy than the regional capital, but with a strong local identity, an active plaza, religious festivals, highland markets, and strong connections to Bambamarca, Cutervo, and Chiclayo.
Chota is particularly known for the festival in honor of San Juan Bautista and the traditional fair in Sanjuanpampa.
Chota is Cajamarca highlands with festivals, a plaza, and lots of local energy.
The city appears down-to-earth and self-confident. Between the cathedral, market, San Juan tradition, and the roads towards Bambamarca and Cutervo, a travel image emerges that is distinctly Northern Peruvian.
What defines Chota
Chota is a good place to understand North Cajamarca away from the main standard route. Its appeal lies not in a single attraction, but in city life, festival culture, highland location, and regional identity.
The center of Chota is shaped by the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral. This is where the first impression of the city begins.
The festival in honor of San Juan Bautista is Chota's most important festive moment and a strong sign of local identity.
The highland area is closely linked to the fair, cultural programs, and Chota's renowned bullfighting tradition.
Chota is strategically located between Cajamarca, Bambamarca, Cutervo, and the connection towards Chiclayo.
Chota and surroundings
Chota can be planned as a standalone stop or as part of a larger Northern Peru route. Many impressions arise in the city center, at markets, and while traveling through the highlands.
San Juan Bautista is Chota's biggest festival moment.
Around June 24th, Chota is dominated by its patron, San Juan Bautista. Processions, music, local programs, food, encounters, and the fair characterize these days.
Those who visit Chota during this time will experience the city as livelier, more crowded, and much more festive than in everyday life. Accommodation and transport should be planned in advance.
Sanjuanpampa combines festival, highlands and tradition.
Sanjuanpampa is closely linked to the festive season and the local event calendar. Here, Chota shows itself particularly clearly as a city with strong customs of its own.
For travelers, the place is interesting because it combines Chota's famous fair, rural surroundings, and highland atmosphere.
Why Chota is intriguing
Because Chota is a city that thrives strongly from its own region: with everyday highland life, festival culture, market, routes, bullfighting tradition, and a location that connects several Northern Peruvian worlds.
The plaza is the best first stop.
As in many Andean towns, the Plaza de Armas is the easiest entry point. Here you can see how Chota functions: church, benches, movement, conversations, and the alternation between everyday life and the festival calendar.
In the evening, the city becomes quieter, but not empty. That's when Chota often shows its most pleasant side.
Market, highland cuisine, and simple breaks.
Chota is not a place for staged culinary experiences, but for honest highland cuisine: soups, bread, cheese, potatoes, meat dishes, coffee, and market products.
Those who travel slowly will find the best access to the city precisely in these simple breaks.
Practical travel tips for Chota
Plan your trip directly
The journey is part of the Chota experience.
Chota is not located next to the classic Peru axes. That's why the journey there feels different: curves, highland towns, fields, changing weather, and a clear distance from the coast.
Anyone who truly wants to understand Northern Peru should not view such routes merely as transfers.
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Open WhatsApp ChannelFAQ about Chota
Where is Chota located?
Chota is located in the northern highlands of Peru in the Cajamarca region and is the capital of the Chota province.
What is Chota known for?
Chota is known for its plaza, the cathedral, the San Juan Bautista festival, Sanjuanpampa, and its traditional fair.
How to get to Chota?
Mostly by land via Cajamarca and Bambamarca or via the connection from Chiclayo towards North Cajamarca.
Is Chota a worthwhile travel destination?
Yes, especially for travelers who want to experience Northern Peru off the beaten path and understand regional highland towns.
Relevant PeruMagazin pages
Old town, Atahualpa, Baños del Inca, and main arrival point.
Andean town, straw hats, and route towards Marañón.
North Coast, museums, and possible access to Chota.
Northern Cajamarca, highlands, and national park region.
Routes, regions, and highlights between coast, Andes, and Amazon.
Flights, buses, rental cars and ways through the country.
Sources
- Tourist and regional information about Chota, the province of Chota and the Cajamarca region
- Information about the festival traditions of San Juan Bautista and Sanjuanpampa in Chota
- Route information for Cajamarca, Bambamarca, Chota, Cutervo and Chiclayo