Arequipa, also known as the White City, is located in the Southern region of Peru, about an hour away from Lima and Cusco by plane. The city is flanked by several volcanoes, which can truly be appreciated from lookout points in the Yanahuara district. This beautiful city is the second largest in Peru and is home to the colorful Santa Catalina Monastery and the iconic Misti volcano towering behind the Cathedral. Most of the colonial buildings are made from a white volcanic material, and strolling the streets in the city center of Arequipa is mesmerizing. However, you should make time for a visit to the Andean Sanctuary Museum showcasing an Inca maiden and all her funeral offerings, which were placed on the top of a snow-capped mountain to apiece the Gods of the nearby volcanoes. On the culinary side, Arequipa is known for its picanterías, which are restaurants that serve food that is a bit on the spicy side.
WHAT YOU MAY ALSO SEE
On the way to the Colca Canyon, you’ll pass by a National Reserve where you can spot wild Vicunas and more than a 150 species of birds as well as Llamas and Alpacas. Moreover, the Colca Canyon is home to the majestic Andean Condor with a wingspan of over 3 meters, which can be seen beginning its flight in from the cliffs of the Canyon in the morning.
The geothermic activity of the region is creating various hot springs, from where the water is canalized into pools, where you can let your body and mind relax while gazing at the Andes towering around you.
Recommend Restaurants in Arequipa:
Chicha by Gastón Acurio ($$$$): Peruvian/ Latin – Santa Catalina 210
Zig Zag ($$ – $$$): Fusion – Calle Zela 210
Típica ($$ – $$$): Peruvian – 407 Luna Pizzaro
Capriccio Café ($$ – $$$): – Peruvian, with vegan and gluten-free options- Santa Catalina 120 & Calle Mercaderes 121
Best time to visit:
Arequipa has a relatively constant temperature all year round, with daytime temperatures between 20-23° C and night temperatures around 10-12° C. Only from June to December it gets colder at night, with temperatures around 5° C. However, the winter month are also the driest, and from April to December there are very little precipitations. This makes Arequipa a pleasant place to visit all year around.
