City, Peru
Arequipa
Peru's second city: white-stone colonial center under three volcanoes, great food, Colca Canyon on the doorstep. Sunny and relaxed, with altitude at 2,350 m; a good first stop to acclimatize before Cusco.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$930–1,450Comfortable, one person · S/3,200–5,000Details
- Value for money76/100Better value than 75% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goApr–OctWarmest: Nov, 26°CDetails
- Internet260 MbpsFixed broadband, Peru medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$29–73Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards accepted in restaurants and hotels; carry soles for markets, picanterías, taxis and tips.Details
Where to stay in Arequipa
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Historic center (Plaza de Armas) | First stays: monasteries, restaurants, walkable |
| San Lázaro | Quiet, old town lanes, boutique hotels, cafés |
| Yanahuara | Viewpoint, cafés, quiet streets just across the river |
| Cayma and Vallecito | Residential longer stays, cheaper rentals |
Apps that work in Arequipa
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- redBus: Compare and buy intercity bus tickets
- Taxis: Street taxis are cheap but agree the fare first. Apps are safer at night, and hotels can call a trusted driver.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Peru.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards accepted in restaurants and hotels; carry soles for markets, picanterías, taxis and tips.
- Currency: Sol (PEN). US$1 ≈ S/3.44 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs charge foreign cards a flat fee per withdrawal, higher at airports; many also dispense US dollars.
- Tipping: Around 10% in sit-down restaurants without a service charge. Budget tips for trek guides, cooks and porters; taxis aren't tipped.
- Paying by phone: Contactless cards and phone wallets work in cities; Yape and Plin QR payments need a Peruvian account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Pre-registering on MigraCheck (free) can let you use the immigration e-gates at Lima airport.
- No arrival card; entry is recorded digitally. Overstays are fined per day when you leave.
- Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for Amazon trips but is not required for entry.
Emergency numbers
Police 105 · Ambulance 106 · Fire 116
Plugs
Type A, C · 220 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Buy prepaid chips in official carrier stores with your passport, not from street sellers. Claro and Movistar cover the Andes best. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Peru
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.