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Looking for some epic things to do in Arequipa? You’ve come to the right place!
The city of Arequipa is one of our favorite places in Peru and we keep going back time and time again. Nicknamed the “White City” for its stunning white volcanic architecture, this city has lots to explore from historic museums to delicious food and cocktails around every corner. Not only that, but the city is also surrounded by nature reserves and the famous Colca Canyon.
With so much to see and do here, it can be hard to narrow down what deserves a spot on your travel itinerary. That’s why we’ve created the guide below to share with you the BEST experiences in Arequipa that you can’t miss out on!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE thing to do from Arequipa is this 3-day Colca Canyon hike. You will hike through the scenic canyon while staying at beautiful accommodations along the way. Transportation and meals are also provided so you don’t have to worry about a thing!
Check out the 5-star reviews and book this experience here.
Tip: This activity is very popular – reserve your spot now and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
- Things to do in Arequipa, Peru
- Where to Stay in Arequipa, Peru
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Things to do in Arequipa, Peru
1. Visit Colca Canyon
One of the most impressive attractions in the area, the Colca Canyon is a must-visit for anyone who ventures to this part of the world. The views are second to none, especially on a sunny day when you can see so far into the distance.
Colca Canyon is actually one of the deepest canyons in the world – in fact, it’s twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. If you love to hike, you must add a multi-day hike through the canyon to your Peru bucket list!
While it is possible to visit and hike the Colca Canyon on your own, we don’t recommend it. You won’t really save much money and the hassle of organizing everything, including what route to hike, wasn’t worth it for us. In comparison, the guided tours of the Colca Canyon are relatively reasonable and include all your transportation and accommodation for multi-day hikes.
3-Day Colca Canyon Hiking Tour
This 3-day Colca Canyon tour is what we did and we had a blast! For only $115 USD, it includes all of your meals, transportation, guides, and very nice accommodation for 2 nights.
While it is a hiking tour, the hike is completed over 3 days at a nice slower pace with plenty of time to enjoy the views, hot springs, and a pool with drinks!
The tour departs daily and has tons of 5-star reviews that you can read here if you need some more convincing.
Book this popular 3-day hike through the Colca Canyon here!
2-Day Colca Canton Hiking Tour
This 2-day, 1-night trek through Colca Canyon is the most popular tour from Arequipa for good reason (read the hundreds of 5-star reviews here)! You will be hiking through the canyon at a faster pace than the 3-day tour, so it’s definitely only for those with a strong physical fitness level.
The tour costs only $76 USD per person which includes round-trip transportation, meals, guides, and accommodation. Definitely a steal of a deal for such an amazing experience if you ask me!
Check availability and book your 2-day trek online here!
Full-Day Colca Canyon Sightseeing Tour
If hiking isn’t your thing, this full-day Colca Canyon tour is a super affordable option at only $38 USD and you don’t have to break a sweat to enjoy the views! The tour takes you through some of the most scenic parts of the canyon including the incredible Condor Cross viewpoint. It also includes breakfast and lunch, and bonus stops at a hot spring and national reserve to see alpacas.
Secure your spot on this full-day Colca Canyon tour here and get FREE 24-hour cancellation!
Related Read: Another of Peru’s most famous sights is the wonder that is Machu Picchu. Check out all the things you should know before visiting Machu Picchu!
2. Go White Water Rafting
Attention adventure seekers! Did you know that only 20 minutes away from Arequipa, there are some great rapids for white water rafting?
This white water rafting tour takes you to the Chili River where you’ll raft along the upper 6 km (3.7 mile) section tackling Class II to IV (intermediate-level) rapids.
Don’t let the “intermediate” scare you off though – you don’t need any prior rafting experience. The guides are with you the whole time and stay in control of the raft, you just get to help paddle and have fun!
The tour is only $24 USD per person and includes all your gear, round-trip transportation, and snacks. The tour is not for the faint-hearted but it’s such a cool experience – just look at all these 5-star reviews!
Check the departure schedule and reserve your spot here!
3. Santa Catalina Monastery
Santa Catalina Monastery is another great piece of culture and history to visit while in Arequipa. The white and red stone buildings built as early as 1579 look stunning and walking around them feels like an adventure.
It’s regarded as one of the most important historical landmarks in Peru and is described as a “city within a city” due to the many buildings and streets within the complex. As you wander around you will learn all about Peru’s religious history and the fusion of Inca and Spanish culture, which is very neat!
To visit, you must buy an entrance ticket for around $16 USD. The tickets are untimed, meaning you can take your time and explore all the corners of this place at your own pace. But try to stay mindful of your surroundings and not make too much noise as there are still nuns living here today.
The Monastery is open to the public every day from 9 am to 5 pm and stays open late on Thursday till 7:30 pm.
Purchase your tickets in advance to the Santa Catalina Monastery here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
4. Take a Cooking Class
If you want to impress your friends back home and bring a little piece of Peru home, you should definitely take a cooking class while in Arequipa!
Peruvian food is known around the world, and this Peruvian cooking class will teach you exactly how to make some of the best dishes! In this hands-on class, you will learn step-by-step how to prepare traditional “lomo saltado” as well as a starter and a dessert. I still make lomo saltado to this day!
The class lasts just under 2 hours and you can choose between an 11 am and 4 pm option when booking. So make sure you come hungry because you’ll get to eat your creation as your lunch or dinner. It only costs $35 USD per person which is an awesome deal for the experience that you get!
Check availability and book this traditional cooking class here!
5. Make your own Chocolate
Arequipa is definitely heaven for all chocolate lovers (like me!). It seems like around every corner there’s a cafe serving hot drinks and desserts using local chocolate.
While in Arequipa, not only can you taste some of the most amazing sweet treats, but you also have the chance to make your own! The Chaqchao Chocolate Making Workshop is the perfect 2-hour activity for all enthusiasts wondering how chocolate goes from bean to bar.
In this $32 USD workshop, you will learn all there is to know about the history of chocolate (did you know that it was drunk even by Aztec Kings?) and get to take home your very own chocolate bar made with your own hands.
At the end, there is, of course, a chocolate-tasting session, teaching you the difference between store-bought chocolate and artisanal products. Be careful – you may not want to go back to the store-bought one after this!
Book this fun chocolate-making experience here!
6. Go on a Food Tour
Do you consider yourself a foodie? You definitely will be after trying this local food tour in Arequipa. It is such a memorable experience, taking you through some of the hidden gems of the city in terms of restaurants.
For only $79 USD, you get to sample some of the best local dishes, paired up with matching drinks and yummy desserts at the end. Peru cuisine has such rich, unique flavors and uses some of the freshest ingredients, and you’ll get to experience them all with this tour.
The tours run daily at 1 pm, so I recommend using it as your lunch/early dinner and coming hungry. Believe me, you will definitely get your money’s worth of food and more!
Read all of the 5-star reviews and book your spot here!
Related Read: Some of the top tours in Lima, Peru as well as the best Lima city tours also include amazing food!
7. Day trip to Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reservation
If you want to admire the unique landscapes of the volcanoes around Arequipa, Salinas, and Aguada Blanca National Reservation is the perfect place to venture to.
The reservation is located on the way from Arequipa to Colca Canyon and offers some of the most spectacular sights in the area. You’ll see the volcanoes standing tall on the horizon and some of the unique flora and fauna that survive in the arid environment. Sometimes, you can see alpacas and even flamingos on the lake.
This place is definitely a full day’s worth of travel. We recommend this private day tour to take you through all the great spots, including Salinas Lake, the canyon, and the lagoon. You also get the chance to visit the village of Chiguata, where you’ll get to learn a lot about Inca culture from your guide and maybe even the locals.
The tour costs only $125 USD, which is a bargain considering this is a private tour and also includes lunch!
Secure your spot on this epic day trip in advance here
Where to Stay in Arequipa, Peru
When it comes to places to stay in Arequipa, there are tons of great options, especially around the city center. No matter if you are traveling on a budget or treating yourself to a luxurious holiday, there is something for everyone.
La Hosteria Boutique Hotel – $$$
If you are looking for a luxurious experience, then La Hosteria Boutique Hotel delivers! This hotel was built in a renovated colonial house and has access to a beautiful courtyard with intricate tilework and a fountain. You’re also in a great location in the historic center of the city, so you can walk out the door and explore! If around $95 USD a night fits within your budget, don’t forget to treat yourself to their exquisite spa and sauna services as well.
Los Andres Bed & Breakfast – $$
A local favorite is Los Andes Bed & Breakfast, which features traditional cultural decor inside decently spacious rooms. There’s a mix of dorm rooms and private rooms here and although you’ll pay a bit more for a private room at around $48 USD it’s still really reasonable. The location is perfect in the heart of Arequipa. Plus breakfast is included or there’s a nice kitchen you have access to.
Mandala Rooms and Services – $
If you are looking for a cheap hostel that fits within your tight budget, you can opt for a place like Mandala Rooms and Services, located 5 minutes away from the Main Square. The rooms look pretty fancy for the price (around $24 USD), and you also get a fresh breakfast for just an additional $3 USD!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Arequipa is one of those cities that has a perfect mix of history, fun adventures, and plenty of great food (and chocolate!) to enjoy. Whether you stay here for a few days while hiking the Colca Canyon or stop in briefly while backpacking around South America, you’ll love the friendly atmosphere and spectacular scenery around you.
If exploring Peru is on your bucket list, check out more of our Peru blogs here. You’ll get lots of tips and ideas to help plan your trip!
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