Choose which ever belief that you want but if you believe the first, many of the colonial buildings still stand after these 400-500 years. I hope to list several here in these pages for you to consider.

Finally, this city is the departure point for several tours including the famous Colca Canyon.

Quick Tips:

1) Pickpockets are here and they do prey on tourists. One trick that I have heard from three people is that the pickpockets will distract you by spitting at you. I don't blame you for blocking or dodging this but be aware that they may be reaching in your pockets while doing this. Don't think they just don't like tourists.

2) Many of the tours leave between 8:30 and 9:30 in the morning. The tour vans will pick you up outside the hostals or hotels that you are staying. The thieves know this and will work in at least pairs. One will begin talking to those waiting outside with their bags next to them. The other will snatch it while the conversation is going on. I have heard this happen on two occasions and neither party even saw the bag get snatched. First, you should stay inside of the hostel/hotel while waiting. If you do have to be outside always have a hand on the bag, foot through a loop on the bag, etc.

Best Way To Get Around:

Taxis are VERY cheap here and VERY easy to find. So if you do feel uncomfortable this is a great option.

Buses are confusing and the city buses generally consist of mini-vans. This is just my impression, I have not used them so I will let you judge for yourself.

It is free to visit the church while it is open but to tour the monastery there is a small fee and the entrance is to the right of the church doors. Once you have paid, a guide will be assigned to you. Mine spoke a little English. Inside you get to see numerous art works from what is called the Cuzcuno school. Some are rather interesting. My two favorites were one showing a scene of St. Joseph´s death which is not really recorded anywhere. The other is of the last supper with the volcano Misti in the background. My guide was really friendly and had me take pictures of everything although I do not know if I should have been or not. Most of the art you will see is housed within the first chapel of San Francisco which dated in the mid-1500s.

Finally, check out the Plaza de San Francisco to the left of the church. I found this Plaza to be much more tranquil than the Plaza de Armas with more trees to block the sun and less people trying to get you to eat in their restaurants.

The tour consists of two parts the first half was a National Geographic Society video that was about Juanita. I had already seen it so it was not really all that meaningful but if you know nothing it is better than a guide that can only speak garbled English. (Note: our guide spoke pretty good English.) After the video you are taken into a series of four rooms. The first three contain grave offerings that were found with Juanita and the other mummies on Ampato. The last room contained the remains of Juanita and two other mummies found on Ampato. They are encased in refrigerated glass cases.

A couple of notes: I was lucky. Juanita was away being studied at another university until the day before I arrived. While she was away the museum was still open so you may want to ask if Juanita is there before you pay for the entrance.

To the left of the alter there is an entrance to a small chapel where a couple of tour guides claimed it looked like the Sistine Chapel. I hope it does not look like the Sistine Chapel because it really was not worth the dollar or so that it cost me to get back there. It is basically a coupula that is painted in jungle motifs. Also visit the old cloisters of the church which are located just to the left of the church entrance. Here you can find all of the touristy type shops located in the beautiful cloisters of the church including alpaca woolen goods.