Santo Tomas: Nature and Culture in the District

When planning a trip to Santo Tomas, it is worth exploring the district’s natural and cultural attractions: Cutervo National Park also extends into Santo Tomás, and the rock art at Viza and Tayales tells of earlier Andean societies. At the provincial and regional levels, Cajita Cutervina adds to the cultural picture. This gives you a range of themes to choose from when planning your trip—from landscapes and waterfalls to music and history.

National Park, Forest, and Waterfalls

The Circuito de Grutas trail, which includes the Blanca, Negra, and Guacharos caves, is part of the tourist-use area of Cutervo National Park. The Bosque de Palmeras and the Mirador y Catarata de Santa Rosa viewpoint and waterfall are also part of this area. These named destinations give nature lovers a range of themes to consider when planning their trip: caves, palm forest, and a viewpoint with a waterfall.

Catarata Velo de Novia is located north of the district of Santo Tomás, in the Quechua natural region. The waterfall has a free fall of about 104 meters, with a catch pool approximately two meters deep below. The surrounding forest includes epiphytes, lithophytes, bromeliads, and orchids, including Masdevillia setacea glandulosa and Trizeuxis falcata. The wildlife described there includes majas (Agouti paca), hummingbirds from the Trochilidae family, and armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus). Alongside the waterfall, the area’s plant and animal life is also a focus as a natural attraction.

June through September are listed as the months when Catarata Velo de Novia has higher water levels. If this seasonal difference matters for your trip, check current conditions in advance. The route between the district of Santo Tomás and the waterfall is listed as a 1.82-kilometer, 45-minute trip by minibus. Route details may change; confirm the connection before traveling.

Rock Art and Cajita Cutervina

The communities of Viza and Tayales in the district of Santo Tomás are home to a group of rock art depictions regarded as visual evidence of the thinking, beliefs, and everyday life of earlier Andean societies. The depictions include people, animals, and geometric shapes. These motifs give cultural history a concrete form and offer a different focus from the district’s natural attractions.

At the provincial and regional levels, Cajita Cutervina also represents a distinctive musical tradition. The knowledge, techniques, and practices associated with its performance were declared national cultural heritage in 2019. This complex musical practice combines rhythmic and melodic playing with two-part singing. A metal triangle distinguishes it from similar Andean practices; at the same time, it is considered evidence of the development of musical identity at the provincial and regional levels. In 2025, a municipal tribute recognized Luis Adolfo Fernández León for his outstanding work preserving and promoting Cajita Cutervina.

The district of Santo Tomás is associated with a patronal celebration in honor of Saint Thomas Aquinas on December 2 and a celebration of Santa Rosa on August 30. Ask about the current program before your trip. For families planning together, the waterfall and forest on the one hand, and rock art and music on the other, may appeal to different interests—without requiring a fixed itinerary.

Choose the Right Vacation Rental for Your Trip

First, consider what you would like to focus on: the natural attractions in the national park, the landscape around Catarata Velo de Novia, or the cultural themes of rock art and Cajita Cutervina. This priority can help guide your choice of vacation rental in Santo Tomas.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Namora, Magdalena, San Juan, Baños del Inca, Jaén, San Andres, Huarango, Chontabamba

For the broader travel overview: Cajamarca.