Arequipa is the second largest of Peru's cities, after Lima and it is
a thriving place with mostly sunny days. The city comes alive at
night, when the bars and restaurants quickly start to fill up.
Arequipa provides great tourism appeal and serves as a good spot to rest in southern Peru, before venturing to Cusco, Machu Picchu and
Lake Titicaca, where the higher elevations will require a period of
acclimatization. The old city centre now ranks as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site and is steeped in history.
Arequipa is often referred to as the 'Ciudad Blanca' (White City), due
to its assortment of colonial buildings constructed using the locally
quarried off-white 'sillar' volcanic rock. The stonework of Arequipa
is very distinctive in its appearance and many of the finest
structures grace the majestic Plaza de Armas, along with plentiful
tourist information, while elsewhere in this captivating Peruvian city
are grand monasteries, historic churches and elegant mansions.
The history of Arequipa is very much evident in its fine buildings and
landmarks, with its historical centre forming an area surrounding the
Plaza de Armas and is filled with sights, including the majestous
cathedral, which dates from the 17th century. Another beautiful
building is the Iglesia de la Compania, on the calle General Moran,
opposite one of the corners of the Plaza de Armas. The much-loved
Monastery of St. Catherine (Convento de Santa Catalina) is another
iconic landmark of the city, a vast religious complex, surrounded by
imposing walls.
Top Sights
Guided bus tours are always a good way to get your bearings of
Arequipa and not only do they tour the city and its neighbouring
valleys, but stop off along the way, at various attractions. Tourists
who prefer to do their own thing will find that there is much to see
around Arequipa, with highlights including the Sabandia Mill (Molino
de Sabandia), the stone hill known as the 'Sachaca', and the
north-easterly suburb of Yanahuara, where Spanish-colonial
architecture abounds. Those feeling more adventurous will be able to enjoy everything from trekking and horse riding through the canyons, to mountain biking around Chachani and the Laguna de Salinas (salt plains), and white-water rafting outside of the rainy season, on the Chili, Colca, Cotahuasi and Majes rivers. More information about Arequipa Tourist Attractions.
Several museums are located within the city of Arequipa and offer information on various different topics, relating to the Andes mountains, regional history and archaeology. In particular, the Museo Santury and its many well-preserved mummies and gold treasures is always popular. There are also some very notable art galleries to be found in Arequipa, namely the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo (Contemporary Art Museum) and the Galeria de Exhibiciones del Banco Continental, the latter of which is housed within the grand Triste del Pozo mansion.
Tips for the visitor
Altitude: 2,300 meters above the
sea level.
Rainy season: January and FebruaryDon’t
forget: Sun block lotion, sunglasses and camera.
Water: We recommend you to drink
bottled waterCurrency Exchange: The official currency
is the Nuevo Sol represented by the symbol "S/."
Most businesses accept dollars at the exchange rate
of the day. The currency exchange service is available
in our Cashier at the Reception 24 hours a day. Additionally,
you can exchange dollars and euros at the banks.
Weather: Arequipa's weather is semi dry and mild, with a maximum average temperature of 21ºC and a minimum of 7ºC. During daytime it is warm but the temperature drops at night. The coldest months are from June to September.
Altitude Sickness:Altitude sickness or "soroche" symptoms usually appear in areas above 2,000 meters above sea level To avoid it, we recommend you to eat light meals, drink plenty fluids (coca tea is ideal) and rest the first hours, to get used to the altitude.
Tips: Room, food
and beverages charges in our hostel already include
a 10% service charge, as established by Peruvian laws.
Any additional tip you may wish to give to our personnel
is optional.
Safety: Arequipa is a safe city however,
as any other big city receiving considerable influx
of tourists; we recommend you be cautious in order
to avoid robberies
Taxis: It is better not to take cabs
from the streets; we suggest you ask for one in the
Reception. It is not customary to tip cabdrivers.
Vaccines: No vaccine is officially
required to come to Peru. However travelers who visit
some areas in the jungle located under 2,000 meters
above sea level should ask their physician if he recommends
any in particular.
PLACES TO VISIT
The main sites in and around the city of Arequipa
include: La Compañia Jesuit church, which is
the oldest in Arequipa, the Cathedral which dominates
the Plaza de Armas and The Museo Historico Municipal,
the local Museum which once functioned as a prison.
Country: Peru (south)
Location: Region and Province of Arequipa
Status: city / regional capital
Area: approximately 3,800 square miles / 9,840 square kilometres
Population: approximately 780,000
Language: Spanish
Currency: Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN)
Time zone: UTC - 5
Country dialling code: +51
Telephone area code: 054
Average daily Arequipa January temperature: 23°C / 73°F
Average daily Arequipa July temperature: 19°C / 66°F
San Lázaro neighborhood
It is the most representative area of the former Arequipa. According to tradition it was in this neighborhood where the city was founded. San Lázaro is the most traditional neighborhood of Arequipa. All San Lazaro neigborhood is built with ashlar (white volcanic stone) and paved with black cobblestones. The peculiarity of this place are the alleys and narrow passages, small squares and large houses. A small bridge made of ashlar cross a rapid stream and joins the Chapel and its Square with the rest of the neighborhood.
"El Sillar" or Ashlar
El Sillar (or ashlar) is a white stone of volcanic origin characteristic of the city of Arequipa. Traditionally, the city was mainly built on Sillar and the white look it conveyed has earnt Arequipa the nickname "la ciudad blanca" or "the white city". Arequipa's people are very proud of this beautiful and unique type of arquitecture.
