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Arequipa, Peru:
Travel Guide

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Peru, Arequipa Main Square Misti Volcano
Destinations Peru Arequipa Main Square Misti Volcano

Overview of Arequipa

Named “Arequipa” by its original Incan founder, which translates to “let’s stay here”, i’s no wonder that the city has become a sought-after gem for many who visit Peru. As the second largest city in the country, its central plaza has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its breathtaking cultural and physical beauty. The city’s colonial architecture sparkles against the towering Andean volcanoes that clearly seen in background of nearly every photo and also the source of the bright white signature buildings.

Peru, Arequipa Map

Geography

Arequipa, located north of Cusco, shares a similar geography with towering mountains, lush landscapes, and active volcanoes. What sets it apart is the use of volcanic sillar, extracted from nearby volcanoes, especially Misti, to construct its iconic white buildings. Hence, Arequipa is often referred to as “the White City” in Peru.

The city is divided by the Chili River, running from north to south. It is bordered by the Andes Mountains to the north and east, while the south and west lead to the sub-ranges of the Andes, marked by thick layers of volcanic lava.

Arequipa is prone to frequent small earthquakes due to its proximity to volcanoes. However, the resilient locals have consistently rebuilt and maintained their significant landmarks.

Peru, Arequipa Misti Volcano
Destinations Peru Arequipa Misti Volcano

Climate

As it’s located in the southern part of Peru high in the Andes –at 2,330 meters above sea level—you can expect moderate temperatures in Arequipa, with the best months to visit being between April and December, which is Arequipa’s dry season. However, throughout the rainy season, the weather is still reasonably pleasant with a small possibility of rain on any given day. The average temperature throughout the year is just over 15°C.

Arequipa's Top Visitor Places

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there’s no question that Arequipa is special, not only for the natural beauty surrounding the city but also for the historic beauty of the town itself. Here are some places that you can’t miss:

Santa Catalina Convent

Main Square

Sillar Quarries

Colca Canyon (Condor Cross)

This is more than just a convent – it’s also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site as it was founded on September 10, 1579. As part of the Dominican Second Order Church, it was painstakingly built with two distinctive materials from two different local volcanoes – the white tuff came from the Chachani volcano while the pink from the Misti. It sits proudly over 20,000 square meters, and could be described as its very own city with its narrow internal streets. It was built to be completely isolated from the rest of the city by a giant 4-meter wall to protect the women who once lived inside.

The Main Square, officially known as the Plaza de Armas or Plaza Mayor, is the heart and soul of Arequipa, and it has been that way from its very beginnings. An elegant bronze fountain sits in the middle of the plaza with a sculpture of Tuturuttu, which is said to represent the messenger of the Incan Mayta Capac and whose name comes from the sound a horn makes when announcing their arrival.

Surrounding the Main Square are several other UNESCO sites, including the cathedral, all of which are within walking distance.

The Sillar Quarries are also a must-see, as their distinctive white coloring is the reason for Arequipa being known as “The White City”. They are located just 40 minutes from Arequipa’s downtown and can easily be reached via private transportation or on a guided tour.

Colca Canyon, just a 4-hour drive from Arequipa, offers stunning landscapes, snowy mountains, and sharp cliffs, making it the perfect habitat for the majestic Andean condor. With an impressive wingspan of 3 meters and weights up to 15 kilograms, these birds can be spotted soaring on the rising winds. The Condor Cross, situated between Maca and Cabanaconde, boasts the strongest winds, providing the best chances of witnessing these birds up close. The dry season, from April to November, offers a higher likelihood of spotting condors, especially between 8-10 am and 3:30-4:30 pm when they are most active.

Destinations Peru Arequipa Santa Catalina Convent
Destinations Peru Arequipa Main Square
Destinations Peru Arequipa Sillar Quarries
Destinations Peru Arequipa Colca Canyon
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History of Arequipa

Arequipa was first founded by a large Inca army led by Mayta Caypac around the year 1170. However, nearly 400 years later on August 15th, 1540, an emissary of the Spanish conqueror, Francisco Pizarro, marched into town and officially founded the modern city of Arequipa. Later on, Arequipa became an important station for those who fought for Peruvian independence from the Spanish conquistadors, and it became known as the “Land of the Leaders” as a result of those brave Arequipeño rebels.

Peru, Arequipa History Santa Catalina Convent
Destination Peru Puno
Peru, Arequipa Food Chupe De Camarones
Destination Peru Puno Cathedral Puno

Food & Cuisine of Arequipa

Arequipeños are incredibly proud of their unique cuisine, and strive to serve a variety of tasty dishes. It’s well known for its spicy foods served at picanterias, but there are also plenty of options for those who try to avoid spicy foods. Soltero de Queso is a simple vegetarian platter with boiled potatoes, cheese, herbs, and fresh vegetables, and Chupe de Camarones is a fresh shrimp soup generously filled with garlic, milk, corn and other vegetables. For the more adventurous types, Adobo Arequipeño is a raw pork loin marinade in vinegar and spices which include garlic and cumin.

There is also an extensive list of drinks native to Arequipa that can satisfy anyone’s adventurous streak. One such drink is Arequipa’s very own soda called Kola Escocesa, or Scotch Cola. There are also many alcoholic drinks available to try, such as Anis Najar or anise-flavored liquor.

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