One of Peru’s most attractive cities, Arequipa is a good place to acclimatise to the altitude of the country’s high mountain peaks, located at just under 2,400 metres above sea level.
Catch your breath among the whitewashed colonial buildings that give the city its nickname – La Ciudad Blanca, or ‘the White City’ – and take in the stunning views of the trio of surrounding mountains, El Misti, Pichu Picchu and Chachani, before travelling higher into the Colca Canyon.
Multi-centre Peru itineraries often include Arequipa thanks to its striking architecture, as well as its proximity to the mountains. Arequipa’s historic centre is home to a large central square, Plaza de Armas, dominated by palm trees and ornate fountains. Café culture is a big part of life in Arequipa, and its streets are lined with market sellers and coffee shops packed with tourists and locals alike.
Greig
Travel Specialist
Where to go in Peru
Peru travel information
- Time zone: -5 GMT
- Flight time: 14-16 hours
- Recommended airlines: KLM, LATAM Airlines, American Airlines, Delta
- Currency: Peruvian Sol, US Dollar
- Tipping guideline: 10% of total bill
- Health considerations: There is a risk of altitude illness when travelling to destinations of 2,500m or higher. There is a risk of dengue. There is a risk of Zika virus. There is a low risk of malaria in the Amazon basin of Peru along the border with Brazil, particularly in Loreto province and in the other rural areas of Peru below 2,000m including that part of the Amazon Basin which borders Bolivia. There is no risk of malaria in the city of Lima and the coastal region south of Chiclayo.
- Capital: Lima
- Population: 34,683,444
- National languages: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara
- Electricity and plugs: Type A and Type C, 220 V, 60 Hz
- Mobile phone coverage: Good
- UK passport visa requirements: You don't need a visa for Peru if you have a British passport - for a maximum of 90 days
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For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
