Arequipa: Travel Guide

Arequipa, known as the White City of Peru and without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities; It must be one of the destinations you are scheduled to visit on your trip to Peru; located at 2235 m.a.s.l. Located on the slopes of the impressive Misti volcano that is at 5822 m.a.s.l.

But when should we visit Arequipa? We recommend doing it in the dry season; It is between May and September, it is the best time to visit the city of Arequipa, the advantage is that the climate is pleasant, since it is around 20 ° C. However, they can also visit Arequipa between November and April, in the summer season, it usually rains a lot and you will be forced to withstand temperatures between 24 and 32 ° C. Also, there won’t be many people taking the tours; being these two the advantages of visiting Arequipa in that season.

How to get to Arequipa?

• By plane: It is the fastest way to get to Arequipa; that can receive you if you take a flight at its International Airport: “Rodríguez Ballón” from  Arequipa; which is located 5 km from the center of the city of Arequipa.
• By train: It is another option that Arequipa offers you; However, it is not easy to get to Arequipa by train; for this you must hire a charter service, available in Juliaca and Puno; for groups of 40 or more people.
• By bus: You can take a bus from companies such as Cruz del Sur, Ormeño, among others, which can take you to the terrestrial terminal and the Terrapuerto terminal

What to do in the city of Arequipa?

Already in Arequipa, you will be able to do many activities, firstly make tourist visits:

• Andean Sanctuaries Museum: Where you can visit the Juanita Mummy; known as the Ice Lady (this mummy preserved in ice, is from a girl, who was sacrificed to be offered to the Inca gods).
• The Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena: It is a religious tourist complex; built with the typical Arequipeño white ashlar, from the Volcán Chachani, and also with details in red ashlar, from the Misti.
  • What can you see inside the monastery? The cover or entrance (With the Image of Santa Catalina, which is on top of an arch). Pinacoteca (where all the works of art of the convent are located). Church of the Monastery, The bell tower, Patio del silencio, The cloister of Los Naranjos; The Cloister Major, the Kitchen and the Laundry.
• Museums of the city of Arequipa: If you want to know more about the history of this fascinating city; We recommend you visit the following museums: 
  • Art Museum; 
  • The Archaeological Museum of the Catholic University of Santa María
  • Archaeological Museum of the National University of San Agustín
  • The Museum of the Cathedral of Arequipa
  • House museum of Mario Vargas Llosa; 
  • The Alpaca museum.

More places to visit:

• The ashlar of Arequipa: In this tour you will be able to do the well known “Ruta del Sillar”; which is a route that consists of showing the process of removing the ashlar; which is an important part of the architecture of the White City.
• The Cathedral of the City of Arequipa: The Cathedral Basilica of Santa María so white and so large; it is the main church of the city of Arequipa; Located in the Plaza de Armas, we invite you to enter and be fascinated by its architecture both outside and inside.
• The Plaza de Armas de Arequipa: One of the most beautiful places in the historic center of Arequipa; you will be able to observe its beauty with its gardens and its bronze fountain; you can stroll through its portals around the plaza where you can buy things and also eat.

Visiting Interesting Neighborhoods in Arequipa:

• The Historic Center of Arequipa: Where you can visit the famous Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral Basilica of Santa María, among many other attractions and commercial shops around.
• Vallecito: It will be an excellent place for you, since it is touristic, where you do not require a big budget, in addition to being located near the nerve center of Arequipa, it is easy to find cheap accommodation and trendy restaurants in this place.
• Yanahuara: Possibly it is the most representative neighborhood of the city of Arequipa, you will be able to observe the architecture made with ashlar, in addition you will be able to visit the viewpoint to contemplate the next three volcanoes, this is the perfect place for you to get spectacular photographs.

Where can you eat in Arequipa?

Without a doubt, the best places where you can eat in Arequipa are the picanterías (local restaurants where pig cooked meat is sold) one of the most popular and delicious dishes being chicharrón. All meals are served with a soup and the main course.

You can go to the places that we will mention below and taste the best food in Arequipa

• Mercado de San Camilo: So that you can start a typical breakfast in the city of Arequipa; We recommend you go to this market, it’s roofs and structures were designed by Gustavo Eiffel, this is one of the oldest markets in the city, where you can have a rich fruit juice.
• Cayma Square: We recommend you to visit this square on Sundays, since that special day you will be able to taste the typical dish called “Adobo”, in its various restaurants around the square. After this hearty breakfast, order your pitted tea! What is a tea with a glass of anise.

Other places to visit:

• La Nueva Palomino: It is one of the best places, where you can find a Picanteria where you will have good prices and really exquisite typical dishes. They are located in the district of Yanahuara.
• La Victoria: La picanteria La Victoria: It is the typical long-table picanteria, where you will share the table with other diners, although the place is new and they have tried to preserve the old customs. It is located in the center of the city.
• Zigzag: Located in the historic center and opposite the Plaza San Francisco, in this place, there is a historic iron staircase designed by the famous Frenchman Gustave Alexandre Eiffel.
  • You will undoubtedly enjoy it, here you can order the pocker or the meat trilogy, alpaca, beef, sheep, pork, will arrive on a hot stone, with some delicious native potatoes.
• Chelawasi Beer: If you want to try some excellent local craft beers and accompany them with good snacks, this is your place. This place has very good craft beers on tap. They have delicious burgers that come with freshly cut fries. There is also a vegetarian option. Every meal is served with awesome sauces!