Photos to Inspire Your Trip to Arequipa, Peru
Ohhhh….how I HATE writing about places I love!! HA. Not that people don’t know about Arequipa ~ but I found it much less touristy than bustling Cusco (the gateway to Machu Picchu). It’s much more of a local’s kind of place. Of course there are tourists, but I think a lot of travelers skip it, as they simply run out of time with their Peru itinerary. But with these “Photos to Inspire Your Trip to Arequipa,” I’m hoping to sway you: & consider adding this beautiful city to your Peru trip…
El Misti Volcano rises above the Arequipa skyline…
Map of Arequipa & Colca Canyon
You can fly, bus, or drive to reach Arequipa. Though personally, I would NEVER drive in Peru: these drivers can be CRAZY!!! (Read about the accident my friend & I got into by Cusco!) Arequipa is an easy, one-hour flight from Lima, Peru. I highly advise flying over taking a long, 18-hour bus ride!!
Arequipa
Colca Canyon
Canteras de Sillar
Quick Facts About Arequipa, Peru
- Elevation in Arequipa: 7,661 feet (2,335 meters). Compared to Cusco, which is at a staggering 11,000 feet ~ Arequipa is an easier place to acclimatize yourself for a first-time trip to Peru.
- What is Arequipa Known For? Arequipa is called the “White City” because of its many cathedrals that were built with white, volcanic stone called “sillar.” Sillar is abundant in this region, & is soft, lightweight, & weatherproof ~ making it an ideal building product.
- What Does Arequipa Mean? “Ari” = Summit, & “Quipa” = Lies Beyond. So, the “Summit that lies beyond.”
- Is Arequipa Safe? This is a fairly subjective question, but speaking personally: I didn’t feel unsafe walking anywhere in Arequipa’s central area. And I felt especially safe behind the HUGE walls of my family-run fortress of a hotel, just a few blocks from the main plaza. If you’re using a taxi in Arequipa: have your hotel call one, or use an official taxi stand. Make sure your taxi has a blue decal on the windshield. Petty theft is the most likely crime to occur in Arequipa. But as a country, Peru is statistically safer than the United States.
- Top Things to Do in Arequipa: Stroll thru the Plaza de Armas & admire the city’s impressive “white” cathedrals. Visit popular Monasterio de Santa Catalina. Take a 2-3 day tour of Colca Canyon (the Grand Canyon of Peru). Search for the best views of El Misti Volcano, or take a half-day tour of the impressive rock formations at Canteras de Sillar.
- Don’t Forget to Bring: Strong sunscreen, like Elta MD Broad-Spectrum, & walking shoes with a good sole, as the cobble-stones around Arequipa’s main plaza are extremely slippery! (I wore thongs & this was a m-i-s-t-a-k-e!)
Photos to Inspire Your Trip to Arequipa, Peru
Use these photos to take a virtual tour not only through the beautiful city of Arequipa, but its surrounding attractions as well: which include Colca Canyon & Canteras de Sillar. Colca Canyon is a popular trekking destination, & is one of the deepest canyons in the world ~ being TWICE as deep as the Grand Canyon!! It’s also a habitat for the Andean Condor, which can be seen from many popular outlooks in the canyon, such as Cruz del Condor.
Colca Canyon is about 4 hours from Arequipa, so it’s best to visit if you have time for at least a 2-day tour. Besides hiking & condor sighting, you can also white water raft, mountain bike, horseback ride, & lounge in thermal baths…
Arequipa’s Plaza de Armas is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. Photo: The Culture Trip.
You’ll see cute, cuddly alpacas like these all over Peru ~ including in Colca Canyon.
These gorgeous rock formations are called Canteras de Sillar, & they’re located 20 minutes from Arequipa.
I took this photo at a second-story restaurant on the Plaza de Armas, while eating a tasty Peruvian “causa.” The Plaza was busy nearly every night of my week-long trip, & I felt thoroughly safe walking there at night.
More Photos of Arequipa….
Night shot of El Misti Volcano.
The landscape surrounding Arequipa is other-worldly in its barren, desert beauty.
Hawks, eagles, & the Andean Condor are common sightings in Colca Canyon.
Stay close to nature at Colca Canyon Lodge & Spa, with natural hot springs like these…
Where I Stayed in Arequipa
- In Arequipa, I stayed three blocks from the Plaza de Armas at the Surestay Plus by Best Western Tierra Sur Colonial ($50+/night). It was sooo quiet, had a lovely rooftop deck, large rooms & bathrooms, a beautiful breakfast area, & I felt 100% safe behind its massive walls. I would stay there again ~ but there are also TONS of great, boutique hotel options in Arequipa in this price range!
- If you want to stay right on the Plaza de Armas with incredible cathedral views, try Casa Andina Select Arequipa ($105+).
- For an amazing spa experience in Colca Canyon, with access to natural pools: check into luxurious Colca Lodge Spa & Hot Springs, which is located on the banks of Rio Colca, by the town of Chivay. This is a great base for exploring Colca Canyon.
Goodbye….Arequipa, Peru
What do you think is the most beautiful city in Peru? For me, it’s definitely not Lima ~ it’s a tie between Arequipa & Cusco. Though Arequipa may be more awe-inspiring with its ornate white cathedrals & looming volcano.
But I love Cusco too!
xoxo Noelia
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