Arequipa Travel Guide

Known as the 'White City', Arequipa is home to many beautiful colonial buildings, which were made from locally mined, light-coloured volcanic stone. Culture lovers will note that the destination's elegant historic centre has some of Peru's finest colonial churches and mansions. Many of them have been turned into museums and galleries.

Most of the action takes place in the Plaza de Armas, where visitors will find gorgeous gardens, impressive colonial arcades and architecture, and the huge cathedral's elegant white façade. One of the city's highlights is the remarkable Santa Catalina Convent. The complex encloses a complete city within a city, and is among Peru's most fascinating colonial religious buildings.

Arequipa's countryside holds many attractions, too, including the relatively easy climb up the El Misti Volcano. The Colca Valley's superb landscape features villages, ornate churches, agricultural terraces and snow-covered mountains. Nature enthusiasts should also visit the dizzying Colca Canyon, which is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, and is an excellent place to see giant condors.

Things to do in Arequipa

Arequipa is known for its beautiful white colonial buildings, which delight all who visit the city's UNESCO-listed historic centre. The Plaza de Armas is the destination's central landmark, and is a great starting point for a sightseeing tour. Highlights include the Santa Catalina Monastery, the Museo Santuarios Andinos, the Santa Teresa Convent, and La Compania.

Visitors who enjoy the local cuisine should try the Peruvian Cooking Experience. The cooking course is held at the Casa de Avila Hotel, and is deservedly popular among travelling foodies.

Tourists can also hike up the volcanic peaks of El Misti, Pichu Pichu, and Chachani, which loom above Arequipa's colonial elegance. Though the views are stunning, travellers should note that the altitude can be uncomfortable, and that the mountains can become freezing cold.

The region's main natural attraction is the Colca Canyon. It's one of the deepest canyons in the world, and attracts many avid hikers with its condors, traditional villages and breathtakingly dramatic scenery.

Santa Catalina Monastery photo

Santa Catalina Monastery

The Santa Catalina Monastery is an enormous complex of rooms, chapels and plazas, coupled with ornate fountains, cobbled streets and beautifully archways. The high and brightly painted walls contain a number of cells, which over time housed over 200 members of the female nobility. Visitors can admire its valuable collection of Spanish American religious art, the huge 17th-century kitchen, or the murals on the vaulted arches of the sky-blue Orange Tree Cloister. A beautiful church compound, Santa Catalina is a masterpiece of colonial architecture and the most fascinating religious complex in Peru.

Museo Santuarios Andinos (Museum of Andean
Sanctuaries) photo

Museo Santuarios Andinos (Museum of Andean Sanctuaries)

This small museum's most famous attraction is the 600-year-old frozen body of a young Inca girl named Juanita, discovered in near-perfect condition on the top of the Ampato Volcano in 1995. She was sacrificed to the mountain gods and buried in a tomb with funeral offerings, her body encased in ice and preserved by the freezing temperatures for centuries. It was found along with other ice mummies after a volcanic eruption melted the ice and exposed the tomb. The Ice Maiden is exhibited in a refrigerated glass case and analysis of her DNA has afforded great insights into the Inca culture, while other artefacts from surrounding sites are also on display.

The Colca Canyon photo

The Colca Canyon

The Colca Canyon is the most popular excursion from Arequipa and the world's second deepest canyon. The picturesque valley is home to huge mountains, grand churches and lively market places, as well as herds of wandering llamas. The Crux del Condor is the region's most popular viewing point, and the best place to see giant condors soaring over the dramatic depths. Many people stay in the quaint market town of Chivay, offering a good range of hiking trails, bus services and accommodation. Travellers can choose from a number of tour operators or set off for a solo adventure.

Peru travel info

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 60Hz. Two-pronged plugs with flat blades as well as plugs with two round prongs are in use.

Language

Spanish is the official language. In areas where they are predominant, Quechua, Aymara and other aboriginal languages also have official status. English is spoken only in major tourist centres and hotels.

Money

The official currency is Sol (PEN), divided into 100 céntimos. Visa is the most widely accepted credit card, but all major international credit cards are accepted in many, but not all, establishments. Outside of big cities, facilities may be more limited. US Dollars are the easiest currency to exchange and plenty of restaurants, hotels, and shops in the main cities accept dollars for payment. Casas de cambio (exchange bureaux) often give better rates than hotels and banks and can be found in any town on the tourist circuit. ATMs are available in the main cities.

Tipping

Most restaurants add a service charge of 10 percent, which will be indicated by the words propina or servicio near the bottom of the bill. Even if a service charge has been added, the waiter can be offered an additional 10 percent for exceptional service; this is also the going rate for tipping where a service charge has not been added. In hotels, porters expect about US$1 per bag. Taxi drivers are not tipped (the fare should be set before departure). Tour guides are customarily tipped.

Health

Travellers heading to Peru will need a yellow fever certificate if they're entering from an infected area, and are advised to take precautions if travelling to jungle regions. Immunisation against typhoid is sensible, as are precautions against malaria, dengue fever and zika virus. Vaccinations for hepatitis A and hepatitis B are recommended, as well as a course of rabies injections if journeying into the wilderness. Diarrhoea and altitude sickness are the most common ailments, so travellers should only drink bottled water, avoid drinks with ice and be wary of street food. Healthcare is good in the major cities, particularly at private clinics rather than public hospitals, but travel insurance remains essential.

Safety

Most visits to Peru are trouble-free and sensible precautions should be enough to keep travellers safe. There have been a few incidents on treks through the Huayhuash region near Huaraz and should seek safety advice before setting out. Travellers should only take official taxis as thieves can pose as drivers or tour operators.

Local customs

Visitors should not take photographs of anything relating to the military. Many locals will ask for a tip in return for being the subject of a photograph. In some places, this is the primary source of income. Homosexuality, although legal, is frowned upon. Gay travellers should keep a low profile outside gay clubs. Visitors should avoid wearing any native Indian clothing as this will be seen as insulting, regardless of their intentions.

Doing business

Business centres on the capital, Lima, and is usually conducted in a formal and somewhat conservative manner. It's worth noting that foreigners will need a business visa from a local Peruvian Consulate.

Dress should be formal, with suits and ties being the norm. Titles and surnames are usually used upon greeting, and handshakes are standard for men and women. Business cards are usually exchanged and it is useful to have them printed in Spanish on one side, though English is fairly common. In fact, any effort to speak Spanish will be well received.

Women may encounter sexism. Punctuality is important, though meetings are not likely to begin on time. Business hours can vary but are usually from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Some businesses close for a siesta from 1pm to 3pm.

Duty free

Travellers over the age of 18 do not have to pay duty on 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 3 litres of alcoholic beverages; and gifts to the value of US$500. Items such as sausages, salami, ham and cheese may only be brought in if accompanied by an original sanitary certificate. The import of ham from Italy and Portugal is prohibited. The export of cultural or artistic items from the country is not permitted.

Communications

The international access code for Peru is +51. Wifi access is available in most hotels, modern restaurants and cafés.

Passport & Visa

All travellers require passports, return or onward tickets, all documents required for onward travel and proof of funds. If travelling for business purposes, a visa is required. Visas cannot be obtained on arrival. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the visitor's intended date of departure from the travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry requirements

US nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 183 days. A passport valid for 6 months from the arrival date is required.

British nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 183 days. A passport valid for 6 months from the arrival date is required.

Canadian nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 183 days. A passport valid for 6 months from the arrival date is required.

Australian nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 183 days. Holders of APEC Business Travel Cards validated for travel to Peru do not require visas for stays of up to three months. A passport valid for 6 months from the arrival date is required.

South African nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 183 days. A passport valid for 6 months from the arrival date is required.

Irish nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 183 days. A passport valid for 6 months from the arrival date is required.

New Zealand nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 183 days. Holders of APEC Business Travel Cards validated for travel to Peru do not require visas for stays of up to three months. A passport valid for 6 months from the arrival date is required.

Useful contacts

PROMPERU (Commission for the Promotion of Peru), Lima: +51 1 616 7300 or https://www.peru.travel/biddingbook/home_en.html

911 (General); 105 (Police); 106 (Ambulance).

Embassies / consulates in other countries

Peruvian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 833 9860.

Peruvian Embassy, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 20 7235 3802.

Peruvian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 238 1777.

Peruvian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 2 6273 7351.

Peruvian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 12 440 1030.

Peruvian Consulate, Dublin, Ireland: +353 1 567 6951.

Peruvian Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 4 213 8943.

Embassies / consulates in Peru

United States Embassy, Lima: +51 1 618 2000.

British Embassy, Lima: +51 1 617 3000.

Canadian Embassy, Lima: +51 1 319 3200.

Australian Embassy, Lima: +51 1 630 0500.

South African Embassy, Lima: +51 1 612 4848.

Irish Honorary Consulate, Lima, Peru: +51 1 222 5252.

New Zealand Embassy in Chile (also responsible for Peru): +56 2 2616 3000.