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Why Arequipa?

“Learning Spanish in Arequipa gives you the opportunity to combine language learning with unforgettable travel experiences. While improving your Spanish, you can explore the region’s most fascinating destinations, discover its rich history and traditions, and experience everyday life like a local.
From the spectacular Colca Canyon and the breathtaking landscapes of the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve to charming colonial villages, volcanoes, and archaeological sites, the Arequipa Region offers something for every traveler.

Discover the Arequipa Region
Explore the destinations below and make the most of your stay in Arequipa”.

City of Arequipa

Known as the White City, its Historic Center was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO thanks to its architecture built with volcanic sillar stone.

Main attractions:

  • Plaza de Armas.
  • Cathedral Basilica.
  • Santa Catalina Monastery.
  • Andean Sanctuaries Museum (Juanita the Mummy).
  • San Lázaro District.
  • Yanahuara Viewpoint.
  • Carmen Alto Viewpoint.
  • Sabandía Mill.
  • Founder’s Mansion (Mansión del Fundador).
  • Mundo Alpaca.
  • San Camilo Market. 

Colca and Andagua Volcanoes UNESCO Global Geopark

  • 🌎 Peru’s only UNESCO Global Geopark, recognized for its extraordinary geological, natural, and cultural heritage.
  • 🏔️ Home to volcanoes, canyons, lagoons, hot springs, volcanic landscapes, and a great diversity of ecosystems.
  • 🦅 Features the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, home to the majestic Andean condor.
  • 🌋 The Andagua Volcanoes, known as the Valley of the Volcanoes, showcase one of the most impressive volcanic landscapes in South America.
  • ✨ A unique destination to discover the history of the Earth, nature, and the ancestral traditions of Arequipa. 

Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve

A Protected Natural Area home to vicuñas, alpacas, llamas, vizcachas, flamingos, and numerous bird species.

Attractions:

  • Salinas Lagoon.
  • Queñua forests.
  • Wildlife observation.

Volcanic landscapes

Misti Volcano

The symbol of Arequipa, standing 5,822 meters above sea level.

Activities:

  • High-altitude mountaineering.
  • Camping.
  • Panoramic photography.

Cotahuasi Canyon

  • 🌎 Considered one of the deepest canyons in the world, located in the province of La Unión, Arequipa.
  • 🏞️ Notable for its impressive Andean landscapes, traditional towns, waterfalls, hot springs, and biodiversity.
  • 🥾 An ideal destination for nature lovers, trekking, and adventure tourism.

Toro Muerto Petroglyphs

One of the largest collections of rock art in South America, with thousands of engravings made hundreds of years ago.

 

Beaches of the Arequipa Region

The Arequipa coast offers extensive beaches ideal for relaxing and enjoying the Pacific Ocean.

Main beaches:

  • Mejía.
  • Mollendo.
  • Catarindo.
  • La Punta.
  • Sombrero Grande.

Albizuri Islands – Arequipa

  • 🌊 Located off the coast of Matarani, in the province of Islay.
  • 🦭 Notable for their marine richness, where sea lions, pelicans, and guano birds can be observed.
  • 🚤 Ideal for boat rides, photography, marine wildlife observation, and nature tourism.

A beautiful encounter with the biodiversity of the Arequipa sea. 🌊🐦

Mejía Lagoons National Sanctuary

An important wetland internationally recognized for its large number of resident and migratory birds.

Ideal for:

  • Bird watching.
  • Nature photography.
  • Environmental education.

Imata Stone Forest

Curious rock formations shaped by wind and time, located in the high Andean zone.

Pillones Waterfall

One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Arequipa, surrounded by impressive rock formations and high Andean landscapes

Añashuayco Sillar Quarries

A place where the traditional white sillar stone used to build much of Arequipa’s Historic Center is still extracted. Here you can learn about the work of the quarry workers and admire enormous sculptures carved into volcanic rock. 

Majes Valley

Known for its agricultural and wine production, as well as its landscapes and proximity to important archaeological sites.

Churajón

An important pre-Inca archaeological center in Arequipa, belonging to the Churajón culture (12th–15th centuries). It preserves remains of agricultural terraces, irrigation canals, dwellings, and ceremonial structures that show the advanced development of the ancient inhabitants of the Arequipa valley.

📍 Location: Polobaya, Arequipa. ⭐ An ideal destination to learn about the region’s ancestral roots.

 

Arequipa Cuisine

The region is also famous for its traditional picanterías (local eateries), where you can taste typical dishes such as:

  • Stuffed rocoto pepper (rocoto relleno).
  • Shrimp chowder (chupe de camarones).
  • Arequipa-style ocopa (potatoes with spicy peanut sauce).
  • Sunday adobo (adobo dominical).
  • Cheese solterito salad.
  • Chaque de tripas (tripe stew).
  • Fried guinea pig (cuy chactado)
  • And more

Nature, adventure, and culture tourism all year round.

Why Choose Arequipa?

  • UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Spectacular nature with volcanoes, canyons, and nature reserves.
  • One of the deepest canyons in the world.
  • Great archaeological and cultural wealth.
  • Activities for all levels, from leisurely walks to adventure sports.
  • Cuisine recognized as one of the best in Peru.
  • Living traditions, hospitality, and an authentic cultural experience.

Activities You Can Do in the Arequipa Region

The Arequipa region offers a wide variety of experiences for those who enjoy nature, history, adventure, and gastronomy. From touring colonial monuments to climbing volcanoes or relaxing in hot springs, there are activities for all ages and interests.

Cultural tourism

  • Tour Arequipa’s Historic Center, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
  • Visit the Santa Catalina Monastery.
  • Explore the Cathedral Basilica and its museum.
  • Discover Juanita the Mummy at the Andean Sanctuaries Museum.
  • Visit art, history, and archaeology museums.
  • Tour the traditional neighborhoods of San Lázaro and Yanahuara.
  • Explore the colonial churches of the Andean Baroque Route.

Nature tourism

  • Watch the flight of the Andean condor at the Cruz del Cóndor.
  • Visit the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve.
  • Observe vicuñas, alpacas, llamas, vizcachas, and flamingos.
  • Visit the Salinas Lagoon.
  • Visit the Mejía Lagoons National Sanctuary.
  • Explore the Pillones Waterfall.
  • Tour the Imata Stone Forest.

Adventure tourism

  • Trekking through the Colca Canyon.
  • Climbing Misti Volcano.
  • Climbing Chachani Volcano.
  • Hiking through the Valley of the Volcanoes of Andagua.
  • Rafting on the Chili River.
  • Mountain biking.
  • Horseback riding through the Arequipa countryside.
  • Camping in high Andean areas.

Rural and experiential tourism

  • Sharing activities with communities in the Colca Valley.
  • Learning about the customs and traditions of Andean towns.
  • Participating in agricultural work depending on the season.
  • Learning about traditional weaving and local craftsmanship.

Gastronomic tourism

  • Sampling traditional cuisine at Arequipa’s picanterías.
  • Trying signature dishes such as:
    • Stuffed rocoto pepper (rocoto relleno).
    • Shrimp chowder (chupe de camarones).
    • Arequipa-style ocopa.
    • Sunday adobo.
    • Cheese solterito salad.
    • Fried guinea pig (cuy chactado).
  • Taking Peruvian cooking classes.

Archaeological tourism

  • Visit the Toro Muerto Petroglyphs.
  • Tour the Majes Valley.
  • Discover the rock art and ancient pre-Hispanic roads.

Geological tourism

  • Visit the Añashuayco Sillar Quarries.
  • Discover the volcanic origin of the White City.
  • Learn about the traditional process of extracting and carving sillar stone.

Wellness tourism

  • Enjoy the hot springs of Chivay, Yanque, and La Calera.
  • Relax in a natural setting with views of the Andes.

Beach tourism

The Arequipa region also has beautiful beaches in the province of Islay, ideal for relaxing and practicing water sports.

The most visited include:

  • Mollendo.
  • Mejía.
  • Catarindo.
  • La Punta.
  • Almejal.
  • Sombrero Grande.

Bird watching and photography

  • Photography of volcanoes and Andean landscapes.
  • Bird watching at the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve and the Mejía Lagoons National Sanctuary.
  • Spotting the Andean condor, flamingos, high Andean ducks, hummingbirds, and many other species.

Shopping and crafts

  • Purchase garments made from alpaca and vicuña fiber.
  • Buy sillar stone crafts, ceramics, and traditional textiles.
  • Visit traditional markets and specialty shops.

Arequipa: A City Connected to South America

  • 🛣️ Pan-American Highway: Arequipa is part of this great continental route that connects Alaska with Tierra del Fuego.
  • 🌊 Interoceanic Highway: connects Arequipa and southern Peru with the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
  • 🌎 Strategic location: allows easy travel to neighboring countries such as Chile, Bolivia, and Brazil.
  • 🌋 Gateway to southern Peru: an ideal destination to combine culture, nature, history, and adventure across South America.

Arequipa: a city among volcanoes, desert, and the Andes, connected to an entire continent. 🌋🌎

Arequipa is a region where history, nature, adventure, gastronomy, and traditions come together to offer unforgettable experiences to every visitor.

Nature, adventure, and culture tourism all year round.

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