The best months to visit Arequipa are May – Nov. Dry season; clear views of volcanoes.
Quick facts
Currency PEN (Sol) 1 USD ≈ 3.7 PEN; cards accepted downtown
Language Spanish Little English outside tourist areas
Timezone PET (UTC-5) No DST
Best Months May – Nov Dry season; clear views of volcanoes
Daily Budget ~$20–40 USD Budget to mid-range
Visa 90–183 days visa-free Most nationalities, check before travel
When to go
The White City, a colonial masterpiece of sillar volcanic stone set in a high-altitude valley between three volcanoes, gateway to the world's deepest canyon.
Getting Around in Arequipa
- The Historic Centre is compact and walkable, and plaza to Santa Catalina is a 5-minute walk
- Taxis to Yanahuara cost 7-10 soles; colectivos to the bus terminal cost 2-3 soles
- Colca Canyon is 3.5-4 hours by road, so go with an organised tour or rent a car
For itineraries, costs and practical travel advice, see the full Arequipa travel guide.
Timezone: PET (UTC-5) (No DST)
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Arequipa?
The best months to visit Arequipa are May – Nov (Dry season; clear views of volcanoes), which makes for the most comfortable conditions for sightseeing and getting around. For what a trip costs day to day, see the Arequipa budget breakdown.
