×

Peru🇵🇪 | festivalsCarnaval de CajamarcaWater and paint battles, Ño Carnavalón, coplas, Plaza de Armas crowds | things to do and best time to go

Explore ChulucanasExplore Fiesta de la Candelaria

Backpacking in Carnaval de Cajamarca
🏆 Top pickfestival ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 20, 2026

Carnaval de Cajamarca suits backpackers who like to get wet, dance in a crowd of locals and take part instead of watching. It is less rewarding if you want quiet streets, dry clothes or a polished show. The festival fills the colonial center of Cajamarca, in the northern Andes of Peru, for several days of water, paint, talc and coplas, with a big parade of floats and the crowning of Ño Carnavalón. The way in set the tone for me: on the bus up from the coast, a woman in the next seat handed me a plastic bag for my camera and said, with total seriousness, that I would need it. She was right within the hour. Costs and delays catch people out. Rooms sell out and prices climb, so book weeks ahead. Buses fill, so buy tickets early. Water balloons ruin phones, so seal everything. Pickpockets work the crush, so carry little. Those who love chaos will adore it. Anyone who hates being splashed should skip it.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Peru Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 festival in PeruWhat makes it a must-see festival

Carnaval de Cajamarca pulls backpackers because it is a street party run by the city itself, and you are expected to join in. The social energy is the draw: strangers on a balcony will soak you, hand you a drink and teach you a verse of a copla before the afternoon is over. Hostel common rooms turn into planning meetings for the next water battle, and friendships form fast because everyone is equally drenched.

The cultural side is real too. The Ño Carnavalón figure, a king of misrule who presides over the whole event, and the corso parade of floats give the chaos a structure with deep local roots. You see how Cajamarca celebrates, not a show built for tourists.

It also fits well into a northern Peru loop. The festival usually lands in February or March, so you can combine it with the nearby … read more 👉
Carnaval de Cajamarca pulls backpackers because it is a street party run by the city itself, and you are expected to join in. The social energy is the draw: strangers on a balcony will soak you, hand you a drink and teach you a verse of a copla before the afternoon is over. Hostel common rooms turn into planning meetings for the next water battle, and friendships form fast because everyone is equally drenched.

The cultural side is real too. The Ño Carnavalón figure, a king of misrule who presides over the whole event, and the corso parade of floats give the chaos a structure with deep local roots. You see how Cajamarca celebrates, not a show built for tourists.

It also fits well into a northern Peru loop. The festival usually lands in February or March, so you can combine it with the nearby hot springs, the ruins around the city and the long road routes toward the Amazon side or the coast. Plan your arrival before the weekend crowds, because the best days are the busiest.

💡 HighlightsTop highlights of Carnaval de Cajamarca

  1. Corso de Carnaval (the main parade): The headline event is the grand parade of floats, comparsas (dance troupes) and costumed groups rolling through the center of Cajamarca over the final weekend. Expect brass bands, dancers in wide skirts and sombreros, and a crowd packed onto the sidewalks around the Plaza de Armas. Get a spot early.
  2. Ño Carnavalón and the Rey Momo tradition: Cajamarca’s Carnaval has its own mock king, Ño Carnavalón, a figure who presides over the party and is celebrated with jokes, satire and mock rituals. This character is what separates Cajamarca’s version from carnivals elsewhere in Peru.
  3. Water, paint and foam battles: Throwing water balloons, buckets, powder and foam is part of the fun, and nobody on the street is exempt. Wear clothes you don’t mind ruining, a cheap poncho
… read more 👉
  1. Corso de Carnaval (the main parade): The headline event is the grand parade of floats, comparsas (dance troupes) and costumed groups rolling through the center of Cajamarca over the final weekend. Expect brass bands, dancers in wide skirts and sombreros, and a crowd packed onto the sidewalks around the Plaza de Armas. Get a spot early.
  2. Ño Carnavalón and the Rey Momo tradition: Cajamarca’s Carnaval has its own mock king, Ño Carnavalón, a figure who presides over the party and is celebrated with jokes, satire and mock rituals. This character is what separates Cajamarca’s version from carnivals elsewhere in Peru.
  3. Water, paint and foam battles: Throwing water balloons, buckets, powder and foam is part of the fun, and nobody on the street is exempt. Wear clothes you don’t mind ruining, a cheap poncho and a waterproof phone pouch. Locals play most fiercely in the afternoons.
  4. Plaza de Armas: The colonial main square, with its stone cathedral and fountain, is the festival’s gathering point, full of music, food stalls and dancing from late afternoon into the night. It is the easiest place to meet locals and other travelers.
  5. Coplas and traditional dancing: Groups sing improvised verses called coplas, accompanied by guitars, charangos and drums. Join a circle of dancers if invited. Even a clumsy attempt gets laughs and often a drink pressed into your hand.
Most visitors stay in the center, yet the neighborhood and village celebrations on the outskirts, where families hold their own street parties with music and shared food, give the most welcoming and least staged taste of Carnaval de Cajamarca.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Carnaval de Cajamarca

2 Days Private Tour in Cajamarca

2 Days Private Tour in Cajamarca

5.0(33) 48h
From €336
per personViator
Cajamarca: Cumbemayo - the Stone Forest

Cajamarca: Cumbemayo - the Stone Forest

4.8(4) 5h
From €23
per personViator
5 Day Adventure from Cajamarca to Chachapoyas and Kuelap

5 Day Adventure from Cajamarca to Chachapoyas and Kuelap

5.0(2) 120h
From €1,089
per personViator
Half-Day Private Cajamarca City Tour

Half-Day Private Cajamarca City Tour

5.0(1) 3h
From €52
per personViator
Half-Day Private Tour to Cumbemayo, The Stone Forest

Half-Day Private Tour to Cumbemayo, The Stone Forest

5.0(1) 4h 30m
From €74
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Carnaval de Cajamarca?

Carnaval de Cajamarca runs for several days in February or early March, ending on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, so the date moves each year with Easter, and the main parades fill the streets around the Plaza de Armas in Cajamarca city.
  • Best days: The Saturday and Sunday corso parades are the peak, with floats, comparsas and the crowning of Ño Carnavalón. Tuesday brings the closing send-off, and Monday is quieter.
  • Weather: It is rainy season. Expect 8 to 21°C (46 to 70°F) with afternoon showers, cool nights and strong sun at 2,750 m. Bring a poncho, a spare dry shirt and a hat, and expect to get soaked with water, paint and foam.
  • Booking: Reserve beds 4 to 6 weeks ahead. Rooms often rise 30 to 100 percent over normal rates during the main weekend.
  • Arrival: Roads from Trujillo and Chiclayo clog
… read more 👉
Carnaval de Cajamarca runs for several days in February or early March, ending on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, so the date moves each year with Easter, and the main parades fill the streets around the Plaza de Armas in Cajamarca city.
  • Best days: The Saturday and Sunday corso parades are the peak, with floats, comparsas and the crowning of Ño Carnavalón. Tuesday brings the closing send-off, and Monday is quieter.
  • Weather: It is rainy season. Expect 8 to 21°C (46 to 70°F) with afternoon showers, cool nights and strong sun at 2,750 m. Bring a poncho, a spare dry shirt and a hat, and expect to get soaked with water, paint and foam.
  • Booking: Reserve beds 4 to 6 weeks ahead. Rooms often rise 30 to 100 percent over normal rates during the main weekend.
  • Arrival: Roads from Trujillo and Chiclayo clog on Friday and Tuesday evening, so travel midweek or early morning.
Arrive Thursday, before prices and crowds peak.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutPeru Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
The digital guide (310 pages) contains:
✅ 102 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 7, 14 & 21-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

The streets within a few blocks of the Plaza de Armas are where I would stay, because parades, concerts and the water battles all pass through or near it. You can walk home after dark in a crowd, and nobody needs a taxi at the end of the night.

The historic center, especially the blocks toward Plazuela Belén and along Jirón del Comercio, holds most of the budget hostels and family guesthouses. Dorm beds are social, solo travelers meet quickly, and rooms usually fill first, so book early. Expect roughly US$8 to 15 for a dorm bed and US$25 to 45 for a private room, with higher rates on parade weekends. … read more 👉
The streets within a few blocks of the Plaza de Armas are where I would stay, because parades, concerts and the water battles all pass through or near it. You can walk home after dark in a crowd, and nobody needs a taxi at the end of the night.

The historic center, especially the blocks toward Plazuela Belén and along Jirón del Comercio, holds most of the budget hostels and family guesthouses. Dorm beds are social, solo travelers meet quickly, and rooms usually fill first, so book early. Expect roughly US$8 to 15 for a dorm bed and US$25 to 45 for a private room, with higher rates on parade weekends.

The streets just uphill toward Cerro Santa Apolonia are quieter and still only a 5 to 10 minute walk from the main square. They suit lighter sleepers, though the climb back is steep at this altitude.

Avoid the outskirts and the far side of the Mercado Central after dark. Taxis are cheap but scarce at peak hours, so staying central saves hassle. If beds sell out, the thermal-bath town of Baños del Inca, about 20 minutes away by colectivo, has simple lodgings and is a calmer fallback.
Best hostels in Peru


Best quality hotels in Peru

👛 Costs (as of 20 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

Budget about US$55 a day for Carnaval de Cajamarca, with most of the cost going to a bed on parade weekends.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 10Street parades and plaza events are free. Some grandstand seats or evening dances charge a small fee.
AccommodationUS$10 to 25 (low season US$8 to 15)Dorms and basic rooms rise sharply on parade weekends, and the central ones fill early. High season is counted at US$20.
Local transportUS$2 to 6Most things are walkable. Taxis within the city cost US$1 to 2, and colectivos to Baños del Inca about US$0.50.
Food & drinksUS$10 to 20Set lunch menus cost US$2 to 4 and street snacks US$0.50 to 2. Beer costs US$1.50 to 2.50 a bottle.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 15Ponchos, foam, water pistols, face paint and lockers or tips. A cheap poncho
… read more 👉
Budget about US$55 a day for Carnaval de Cajamarca, with most of the cost going to a bed on parade weekends.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 10Street parades and plaza events are free. Some grandstand seats or evening dances charge a small fee.
AccommodationUS$10 to 25 (low season US$8 to 15)Dorms and basic rooms rise sharply on parade weekends, and the central ones fill early. High season is counted at US$20.
Local transportUS$2 to 6Most things are walkable. Taxis within the city cost US$1 to 2, and colectivos to Baños del Inca about US$0.50.
Food & drinksUS$10 to 20Set lunch menus cost US$2 to 4 and street snacks US$0.50 to 2. Beer costs US$1.50 to 2.50 a bottle.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 15Ponchos, foam, water pistols, face paint and lockers or tips. A cheap poncho runs about US$2 to 4.
Total Daily BudgetUS$47 to 76About US$55 as a typical figure, using the US$20 high-season bed.


source: peru.travel
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodLocal Flavors for Backpackers

The street food around the Plaza de Armas is the best part. Look for cuy frito (fried guinea pig), caldo verde with potatoes and cheese, and humitas steamed in corn husks. Cajamarca’s queso fresco and manjar blanco (milk caramel) are local pride, and vendors sell them in bakery stalls and as snacks.

During Carnaval, try yuca with chicharrón and tamales cajamarquinos, often sold from carts at the edge of the parade route. A cup of chicha de jora and cañazo (cane spirit) circulates among families, and many locals make calentito, a hot sweet drink, to fend off the evening chill. Beer is sold everywhere, and a cold bottle costs about US$1.50 to 2.50.

Pay in cash, in small coins and notes. Vendors rarely take cards and struggle to break large bills, so carry soles in small denominations. Lunch … read more 👉
The street food around the Plaza de Armas is the best part. Look for cuy frito (fried guinea pig), caldo verde with potatoes and cheese, and humitas steamed in corn husks. Cajamarca’s queso fresco and manjar blanco (milk caramel) are local pride, and vendors sell them in bakery stalls and as snacks.

During Carnaval, try yuca with chicharrón and tamales cajamarquinos, often sold from carts at the edge of the parade route. A cup of chicha de jora and cañazo (cane spirit) circulates among families, and many locals make calentito, a hot sweet drink, to fend off the evening chill. Beer is sold everywhere, and a cold bottle costs about US$1.50 to 2.50.

Pay in cash, in small coins and notes. Vendors rarely take cards and struggle to break large bills, so carry soles in small denominations. Lunch plates run US$2 to 5, and street snacks US$0.50 to 2.

Expect lines at the popular grill carts after each parade, and eat before the afternoon rains hit. Portions are large, so sharing a plate with a new hostel friend is normal. Keep your food covered when water balloons start flying.

FAQTraveler FAQ

Carnaval de Cajamarca takes place in February or early March, ending on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, so the exact dates change yearly. The main events run over about 4 to 5 days, and the biggest parades fall on the Saturday and Sunday. The central action is in the Plaza de Armas and surrounding streets of Cajamarca city.
Attending Carnaval de Cajamarca costs roughly US$47 to 76 a day for an independent traveler, with a typical total near US$55. A bed in a central hostel runs about US$10 to 25 on parade weekends, while street meals are US$2 to 5. The parades themselves are mostly free to watch.
Carnaval de Cajamarca does not require tickets for the main street parades and plaza celebrations, which are free to watch. Some grandstand seats and evening dances charge about US$3 to 10 and can be bought at the door or from local organizers. What you should book early is a bed, ideally 4 to 6 weeks ahead, since central rooms in Cajamarca sell out.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Peruvian festivals near Carnaval de Cajamarca

Explore more nearby:


💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Peru including Carnaval de Cajamarca and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all festivals

Or checkout all Peru has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Peru
Country photo of Peru
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Travelers often show up on the peak weekend with no room booked and a phone in a back pocket, then pay too much and spend the day protecting electronics. I would arrive midweek, reserve a bed early, wear clothes you will throw away and keep everything valuable in a sealed bag.

✈️ When did I visit Peru?
Peru I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Peru, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story