Arequipa

White city with volcanic views

Arequipa stands out as Peru’s second-largest city, known for its striking volcanic stone buildings and mild climate year-round. The historic center features grand colonial architecture with intricate facades made from sillar, a white volcanic rock unique to the region. Local markets sell fresh produce alongside traditional textiles woven by nearby communities. At the foot of volcanoes like Misti, the landscape offers dramatic views and opportunities for hiking or exploring nearby ruins. Arequipa balances cultural heritage with natural beauty in southern Peru’s highlands.

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City in Peru

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 5.2

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	5
Accessibility:	3
Tap water:	2

Read details

2/5

English is commonly spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and upscale restaurants, but less so in local markets and public transportation. Learning basic Spanish phrases will enhance your experience and is appreciated by locals.

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Last update: 29 Oct 2026

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Arequipa Summary

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Strong in colonial architecture and volcano scenery. Explore white-stone monasteries, visit museums and take trips to nearby canyons and mountains.

Place score

6.3

Best at:

Local cuisine

Architecture

Historic sites

Religious sites

Volcanoes

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 5

Seniors

👩 7

Solo

❤️ 7

Couples

Peru – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Peruvian Sol (PEN) £1 ≈ PEN 4.59
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in Peru, especially in larger cities and tourist areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Peru, with 10-15% being the usual amount in restaurants. Small tips are appreciated by taxi drivers and hotel staff.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is prohibited in Peru, and alcohol consumption is restricted to licensed venues.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in designated areas, but smoking indoors in public spaces is generally prohibited.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 105 (Police), 106 (Ambulance), 116 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber
Other:	Peru is known for its ancient culture, including Inca ruins and the Amazon rainforest, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Arequipa, Peru

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	May - Oct.
Shoulder season:	April, Nov. - Dec.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Dry season April to December; January to March rains make Colca Canyon trails muddy and can block roads

August 15: city anniversary with parades and fireworks, hotels book out early in the week

Don't miss

🏰 Explore the historic Monasterio de Santa Catalina complex
🌆 Admire colonial architecture at Arequipa’s Plaza de Armas
🌋 Climb Yanahuara viewpoint for panoramic city and volcano views
🏺 Discover Inca culture at Museo de Santuarios Andinos
🗻 Trek Misti Volcano for adventurous mountain views
🍲 Taste local dishes at San Camilo Market’s vibrant stalls

You've been here?

Why travel to Arequipa?

Arequipa fascinates with its striking white volcanic architecture, especially the sprawling Santa Catalina Monastery – a colorful city within a city. The food scene is incredible, with local picanterías serving up some of Peru's most distinctive regional dishes. Plus, it's the perfect gateway to natural wonders like Colca Canyon, where you can spot majestic Andean condors soaring above one of the world's deepest canyons. Just be aware that at 7,660 feet (2,335 meters) elevation, some visitors experience mild altitude symptoms. The public transportation can be hit-or-miss, with nearly 40% of locals complaining about bus conditions. And while the historic center feels European and walkable, crossing some of the busy roads requires extra caution.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa
2 Santa Catalina Monastery

🎡Places for activities

1 Plaza de Armas
2 Mirador de Yanahuara

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Chachani Volcano
2 Río Quilca - Río Chili - Río Vitor
3 Misti Volcano
4 Mill of Sabandia
5 Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve

🛍️Shopping

1 Mercado Central Villa Cerrillos
2 Mundo Alpaca
3 Listo

🎈Events

Arequipa Anniversary Festival (August)
Holy Week Celebrations
Carnival
Wititi Dance Festival
Corpus Christi
International Book Fair
Alpaca Fiesta
Festival of the Virgin of Chapi
Independence Day Celebrations
Christmas and New Year Celebrations

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Take it easy first day; altitude can hit unexpectedly.
Pack layers: sunny afternoons turn chilly fast, especially after sunset downtown.
Wear modest clothes for churches; some places enforce strict entry rules.
Use Arequipa as your staging point for Colca Canyon; book an early departure for condor viewpoints.

How to travel to Arequipa

You can reach Arequipa by air from Lima or Cusco, with flights taking about 1-1.5 hours and costing around PEN 152 (£33.14). Alternatively, long-distance buses like Cruz del Sur offer comfortable options from Lima (about 16 hours) or Cusco (about 10 hours) for PEN 38 – 76 (£8.28 – 16.57). The VIP 'Suite' seats that recline into near – beds are worth the upgrade for overnight journeys.

Access summary

From Rodríguez Ballón Airport (AQP): Taxi to historic center, about 20–30 minutes.
From Lima: Frequent domestic flights about 1.5 hours; long-distance buses 15–18 hours.
From Cusco: Short domestic flights around 1 hour; Andean buses roughly 9–11 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Arequipa

Arequipa offers accommodations for all budgets, from luxury hotels like Casa Andina Premium to boutique guesthouses and backpacker hostels. Many are concentrated around the historic center, particularly near Plaza de Armas. The colonial buildings converted into hotels offer a unique stay experience, often featuring the white sillar stone architecture the city is famous for.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

La Hosteria Boutique Hotel

9.4

San Agustin Posada del Monasterio

9.1

qp Hotels Arequipa

9.1

Wyndham Costa del Sol Arequipa

9.4

Hotel los Tambos Boutique

9.4

Tierra Viva Arequipa Plaza

9.5

Casa Andina Premium Arequipa

9.5

Casa de Avila Hotel & Garden

9.0

Hampton by Hilton Arequipa

9.6

Hotel Tikary

9.3

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Arequipa

The historic center of Arequipa is compact and best explored on foot. For longer distances, taxis and public buses (called 'micros' or 'colectivos') are available, though nearly 40% of locals complain about bus conditions. Ride-sharing apps and reputable taxi services are safer options. Traffic jams can be an issue, so plan accordingly.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-57 %

Daily expenses in Arequipa are around 57% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+6 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to PEN) is 6% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now is more expensive compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£24	£58	£183
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£9	£26	£75
🍝 Food per day	£13	£27	£82
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£5	£26

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£11.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£3
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.40
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.50
☕ Cappuccino	£1.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.80

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.23
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£17
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.90

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£5.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£16
🤧 Cold medication	£1.80
💇 Basic haircut	£4.10

Safety information overview

General safety

Arequipa is generally safe for tourists, especially in the historic center. Take normal precautions with valuables, particularly in crowded markets and on public transportation. At night, stick to well-lit areas and use reputable taxi services.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities are adequate for routine care, with several clinics and hospitals in the city. The high altitude (7,660 feet) can cause mild symptoms for some visitors. Allow time to acclimatize and stay hydrated.

Accessibility

The historic center has cobblestone streets and uneven sidewalks that can be challenging for those with mobility issues. Many colonial buildings lack ramps or elevators. Modern hotels and restaurants tend to be more accessible.

Tap water

Tap water is not recommended for drinking. Bottled water is widely available and affordable. When hiking or on day trips, carry sufficient water as public drinking fountains are rare.