In a nutshell
- Arequipa is located in southern Peru at an elevation of about 2,300 meters, surrounded by volcanoes, and known as the White City.
- The top attractions in Arequipa are the Plaza de Armas and the Santa Catalina Monastery — both are seriously impressive.
- The best day trips from Arequipa include the Colca Canyon, the Misti Volcano, and Laguna de Salinas.
- Arequipa is easily reachable from Cusco and Lima by long-distance bus or plane.
- Those are the highlights — keep reading for all our tips and recommendations for Arequipa!
Our Top 3 Hotel Picks for Arequipa
Our Arequipa Attractions Map
For a quick overview, we’ve marked the 10 best things to do in Arequipa on a map. Some highlights are right in the city center, others are in the surrounding area.
The Best Things to Do in Arequipa
Arequipa itself isn’t huge. You can easily explore all the highlights in a single day. Here’s what you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
Plaza de Armas
Just like in Cusco or Lima, the Plaza de Armas is the main square in Arequipa — and one of the city’s most important must-sees.
We think it’s particularly stunning here, because you’re not only looking at the city’s cathedral, but you also have the dramatic Misti Volcano looming in the background.
You can visit the church free of charge, by the way. The plaza is also home to some great restaurants and bars with incredible views. We personally loved the Waya Lookout – Terraza.
Santa Catalina Monastery
The Monasterio de Santa Catalina is arguably the most famous building in Arequipa and sits right in the center of town.
The sprawling monastery complex is like its own little city and seriously impresses with its colorful architecture. The building doubles as a museum and offers fascinating historical insight into life behind its walls.
We really recommend booking a guided tour — you get some genuinely cool background information that you’d miss on your own. Tours can be booked directly at the entrance.
Adult admission is 45 soles (approximately $12).
Mirador de Yanahuara
The Mirador de Yanahuara is Arequipa’s most well-known vantage point. Honestly — the panorama isn’t all that spectacular, but you do get a great look at the Misti Volcano.
Since the Mirador isn’t too far from the center, it’s worth making the walk out there. Behind the viewpoint there’s also a larger square with street vendors, where you can easily spend some time.
Our insider tip: It’s worth exploring the side streets around the Mirador. You won’t find this in any guidebook, but we thought the whole area was really lovely.
Museo Santuario Andinos
After the Santa Catalina Monastery, the Museo Santuario Andinos is the most well-known museum among Arequipa attractions.
The museum displays the mummy of Juanita, and during the guided tour you’ll learn the full story of the girl who was sacrificed to the Incas — it’s genuinely gripping.
The Museo Santuario Andinos is conveniently located right on the Plaza de Armas. Admission is 25 soles (approximately $6). You can find more information on the Museo Santuario Andinos website — though it’s only available in Spanish.
Mercado San Camilo
The Mercado San Camilo is the main market hall in Arequipa where you can buy just about anything. Souvenirs, fresh fruit and vegetables, chocolate — it’s all here. You can also grab fresh juices and set lunch menus at seriously good prices.
The market hall is wonderfully lively and chaotic, which is a big part of its charm — totally typical South America.
The one section we found a bit off-putting was the corner piled high with raw meat — just a heads-up.
The Best Day Trips and Tours from Arequipa
All over Arequipa you’ll find travel agencies selling all kinds of tours and excursions. There are some truly amazing highlights in the surrounding area, and a few of these trips you really shouldn’t skip.
Colca Canyon
For many visitors, the Colca Canyon is the main reason to come to Arequipa in the first place — the breathtaking gorge is one of the absolute top highlights in Peru.
The canyon is one of the deepest in the world and makes for a stunning photo subject. At the viewpoints above the gorge, you can watch condors soaring through the air.
From Arequipa you can do both day trips and multi-day trekking tours to the Colca Canyon — it’s also a great warm-up for the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu.
2-Day Colca Canyon Trekking Tour from Arequipa
Day Trip to the Colca Canyon from Arequipa
You’ll find all the info, routes, and tour options for the canyon in our Colca Canyon article:
All tips for the Colca Canyon:
Misti Volcano
If you’ve always wanted to climb a volcano, Arequipa gives you the perfect chance. The Misti Volcano towers behind the city and is one of the most popular excursions from Arequipa.
The hike is brutally strenuous, and you’ll spend one night at a base camp halfway up — but it’s a truly one-of-a-kind experience and a real adventure.
The summit sits at approximately 5,800 meters (19,000 feet), so you should spend a few days acclimatizing in Arequipa before attempting the ascent.
The tours run over two days and can be booked at almost any agency in Arequipa. Make sure to check exactly what equipment is included, as this varies by provider — with some operators, for example, you need to bring your own sleeping bag.
Chachani Volcano
A great alternative to the Misti Volcano is the Chachani Volcano. The two tours follow pretty much the same format.
What makes Chachani special: its summit sits above 6,000 meters (19,700 feet) — not many people can say they’ve stood on top of a 6,000-meter peak. That’s a serious bragging right.
You can book the Chachani tour most easily in person at an agency in Arequipa.
Laguna de Salinas
Just outside Arequipa lies the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve. The star of the show is the impressive salt lake Laguna de Salinas.
But the lagoon is just the beginning. The entire landscape is gorgeous, and because the area is so volcanic, there are hot springs near the salt lake where you can take a dip — absolutely worth it.
Guided Tour to the Salinas Lagoon from Arequipa
Rafting on the Río Chili
If the Colca Canyon and a volcano climb aren’t enough action for you, there’s also rafting to add to your Arequipa itinerary.
Many agencies offer rafting tours on the Río Chili (also known as the Río Quilca). The river flows right through the city and is perfectly suited for adventure sports.
Whitewater Rafting Adventure in Arequipa
Helpful Tips for Arequipa
Now you know the top things to do in Arequipa. Here are a few practical pointers to make sure you’re fully prepared for your visit.
Also read all our travel tips for Peru
Arequipa Bus Terminal
The bus terminal in Arequipa is called the Terminal Terrestre and is located about five kilometers south of the center. All long-distance buses arrive here.
A taxi is the quickest way to get from the terminal to the center. Drivers will approach you as soon as you leave the building. Always negotiate the price upfront — you shouldn’t pay more than 20 soles for the ride.
The more adventurous option is to take the city buses. Just follow the locals as they walk out of the terminal. You’ll notice a pedestrian overpass — cross it, and on the other side you’ll find countless buses departing.
Look for one with Plaza de Armas on it — those go to the center. Track the journey on your phone and get off when you’re near the center (proper bus stops aren’t really a thing here). You pay when you get off, and it costs about 1 sol.
How to Get from Lima to Arequipa
If you’re traveling from Lima to Arequipa, you have two options: plane or long-distance bus.
The bus journey takes 18 hours — we wouldn’t really recommend it, since it simply takes forever. That said, it’s a great option if you’re doing a road trip through Peru and plan to make stops along the way.
We’d suggest making a stop in Ica to check out the Huacachina oasis — one of the top highlights in Peru. This splits the journey into two legs (five hours and 13 hours).
Some bus companies like Cruz del Sur or Reyna let you book tickets online. Smaller operators sell tickets exclusively at the bus terminal.
The more comfortable choice for the Lima–Arequipa route is the plane. Flights from Lima’s international airport to Arequipa start at around $40 and take just over 1.5 hours.
Search for flights on Skyscanner
From Arequipa’s airport, it’s approximately eight kilometers to the center. Your best bet is to take a taxi.
How to Get from Arequipa to Cusco or Puno
If you’re heading from Arequipa to Cusco or Puno, you have several options. Both destinations are considerably closer to Arequipa, making overland buses a solid choice.
The bus to Cusco takes approximately 11 hours, while Puno is about seven hours away. Tickets to Puno start at 25 soles, and to Cusco from 50 soles.
Many bus companies serve both routes, so you’ll have plenty of options.
If you’d prefer something more comfortable, you can also fly from Arequipa to Cusco. LATAM offers flights on this route starting at around $40.
Safety in Arequipa
The center of Arequipa is very safe. You can stroll through the streets during the day without any issues — just keep a close eye on your belongings as you would anywhere.
The area around the Plaza de Armas is also fine to walk around in the evening. Since things quiet down at night, just avoid wandering into deserted streets. We never met anyone who was robbed in Arequipa, but there’s no need to take unnecessary risks.
The outskirts and the area around the bus terminal are considerably poorer than the center and not quite as safe for tourists. We wouldn’t recommend walking around those areas at night.
Read our article on safety in Peru:
Best Time to Visit Arequipa
Arequipa is a great destination for almost the entire year. The climate is consistently mild, as the city sits at around 2,300 meters (7,500 feet) above sea level.
During the day, temperatures are usually around 68–77°F (20–25°C). At night, it cools down to around 50°F (10°C) — similar year-round.
The main difference is rainfall. From May through November, there’s hardly any rain. From December through April, rain falls more frequently — February in particular is very wet, which is why we’d skip that month if you can.
You can find more tips here: When is the best time to visit Peru?
