Arequipa

 

Land of deep canyons and notable architecture 

The city of Arequipa lies wrapped around the slopes of the great volcanic cone of El Misti and it is also watched over by the volcanoes Chachani and Pichu Pichu, often crowned by snow. At 7 660 feet / 2 335 meters above sea level, Arequipa enjoys an extraordinarily benign climate, with 300 days of sunshine each year. With its white-walled buildings, the historic center of the city is particularly beautiful. Local people have long understood the importance of preserving their magnificent colonial heritage, best expressed in the stunning architecture of the city’s imposing churches and elegant mansions, such as the Palacio de Goyeneche, Casa del Moral and Casa Ricketts.

Hotels

Temperatures 

Max 24ºC / 75.2°F

Min 6ºC / 42.8°F

Useful tips:

  • The rainy season is from December to March.
  • There are daily flights to Arequipa from Lima (1 hour), Cuzco (30 minutes), Juliaca (30 minutes), Tacna (30 minutes), and the city can be reached overland from Lima in around 14 hours, via the coastal Pan-American Highway.
  • The renowned Peruvian novelist Mario Vargas Llosa was born in Arequipa on March 28th 1936.
  • Arequipa is the starting point for tours to the two deepest canyons in the world: Colca and Cotahuasi.
  • Arequipa’s traditional restaurants, known as picanterías, have been declared part of the cultural heritage of the nation. The typical dishes served include ocopa, rocoto relleno, adobo, solterito and different types of zarzas.