City, Peru
Arequipa for solo travelers
Is Arequipa good for solo travel?
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.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Common in tourist areas |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women in the center. Catcalling is common; use app taxis at night and book tours with registered operators. |
How to meet people in Arequipa
Hostels with tour sign-ups, group Colca and Misti treks, Spanish schools, cooking classes and rooftop bars on the Plaza de Armas.
Good things to do alone
- Tour Monasterio de Santa Catalina
- Eat at a picantería in Yanahuara
- Climb El Misti or Chachani with a guide
- Watch condors at Colca Canyon
- Walk the viewpoint at Yanahuara
Where to stay in Arequipa
| 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 |
Solo travel across Peru
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Cusco | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lima | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Machu Picchu | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Arequipa | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Sacred Valley | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Máncora | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Huaraz | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Huacachina | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Puno | 3/5 | Limited |
| Paracas | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Iquitos | 3/5 | Limited |
| Puerto Maldonado | 3/5 | Limited |
| Nazca | 2/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Arequipa good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Peru's second city: white-stone colonial center under three volcanoes, great food, Colca Canyon on the doorstep.
How do you meet people in Arequipa?
Hostels with tour sign-ups, group Colca and Misti treks, Spanish schools, cooking classes and rooftop bars on the Plaza de Armas. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Arequipa?
Common in tourist areas.
Is Arequipa safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women in the center. Catcalling is common; use app taxis at night and book tours with registered operators.
More about Arequipa
Going to Arequipa solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Arequipa meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.