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Wake up in an exclusive retreat in the Colca Valley. Las Casitas invites you to connect with nature, where the air will make you feel totally renewed.
Wake up in a paradise of relaxation and adventure. In the treasure of the andes is located Las Casitas, where we offer you the opportunity to experience the traditional beauty of Peru.
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When I first set out on my six month journey through South America and Europe, I had no idea that I would fall in love with Arequipa, Peru and spend nearly four months there. During my time in Arequipa, I spent a lot of time wandering and exploring, visiting museums, looking for local experiences, and finding the best things to do in and around the city.
If you’re not sure what to do in Arequipa, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite things to do, along with the most popular activities recommended by locals and other tourists I met during my four-month stay in Arequipa.
Many of the tourists I met only planned to spend one or two days in Arequipa, and later regretted not planning more time to explore its offerings. Don’t make the same mistake! Plan for at least three to four days (if not more!) in Arequipa if your itinerary allows. I promise you won’t run out of things to do.
Want a map of the locations listed in this post, along with some great places to eat and drink in Arequipa? Scroll to the end of this article.
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The Best Things to Do in Arequipa
Local Sites and Museums
Free Walking Tour
The most popular and recommended walking tour is the Free Tour Downtown Arequipa tour. Tours start at 10am and 3pm everyday with a meetup point at Chaqchao Choco Museo, 204 Santa Catalina Street. What you will experience: Chocolate samples and the history of the cacao fruit, the Plaza de Armas including the Basílica Catedral and the Fountain at the center, and the San Camilo Market. Remember: The tour is free, but you should tip your tour guide!
Plaza de Armas (The Main Square)
The Plaza de Armas or historic center of Arequipa is considered to be one of the most beautiful in South America and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The center is lined with cafes, restaurants, a grocery store, souvenir shops, pharmacies, tourist agencies, and the beautiful Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa (Basílica Catedral). In the center is a beautiful fountain with lots of lush greens and benches perfect for people watching.
Santa Catalina Monastery (Monasterio de Santa Catalina)
This was one of my favorite sites in Arequipa. It’s also the most expensive at 40 soles per person (about 12.50 USD), but so worth it. You can hire a tour guide for a fee, or explore at your leisure and read the plaques on the wall, which is what I did. You’ll learn about the history of the monastery — which is still active — and see the rooms, kitchens, and common rooms that nuns used to spend there time in separated from the public. The monastery is three blocks long, so it feels like you’re walking through an old town. The walls are painted in beautiful bright colors and decorated with complimentary flowers and decor. It’s an Instagrammer’s dream, honestly. I particularly enjoyed the history and wandering through the maze of walkways and rooms, and spent almost three hours wandering and taking photos. You can buy tickets on the Santa Catalina Monastery website.
The Sillar Route (La Ruta del Sillar)
Just 30 minutes outside of Arequipa you can take a tour that teaches you the origins of Arequipa, aka The White City. Sillar is white volcanic rock, which makes up much of Arequipa’s builds. You’ll explore the sillar quarries in Cantera de Añashuayco, watch a sillar brick worker create one brick out of a piece of sillar and explain what it’s like to work in the quarries. You’ll also visit Quebrada de Culebrillas, a small canyon made of sillar that you get to walk through. Not only is it an easy, beautiful walk, but you’ll get to see many hieroglyphs and a beautiful sunset if you go later in the day. I highly recommend the 2pm tour as opposed to the 8:30 morning tour in order to see the sunset.
Juanita the Inca Ice Maiden at The Andean Sanctuary Museum (Juanita, La Niña de Los Hielos at Museo Santuarios Andinos)
Juanita is a frozen girl who was discovered in 1996 atop of Mount Ampato in Peru. She was sacrificed to the Inca gods around the age of 12-15 in the late 1400’s. You can see Juanita in person and learn about her story and about Inca history at the museum. It’s located just a block outside of Plaza de Armas, and the entry cost is $7 and you can book online.
Mundo Alpaca (Alpaca World)
Want to hang out with some alpacas? You can at Mundo Alpaca, a large alpaca wool store. You’ll learn how textiles are made from Alpaca wool and pet real live alpaca. This is store is popular with tourists, but I personally didn’t enjoy it. However, entry is free, and you get to pet alpaca.
Solar Neighborhood (Barrio Del Solar)
Take a quiet, peaceful walk through this historic neighborhood, located just a couple of blocks away from the Plaza de Armas along, toward the bridge. You can find the neighborhood by walking through a metal barred gate along Calle Pte Bolognesi. Once you enter, behold its charm and picturesque streets.
Yanahuara Scenic Point (Mirador de Yanahuara)
For one of the best outlook points in Arequipa, visit the Yanahuara neighborhood. You’ll enjoy the sillar brick archway covered in inscriptions of famous Arequipeño poets, overlooking Volcano Misti and Arequipa. Go down the steps below the overlook, and you’ll find a pisco and wine museum. Behind the outlook is the picturesque Yanahuara Plaza, which is great for relaxing and enjoying the scenery.
Food and Shopping
San Camilo Market (Mercado San Camilo)
Only a 10-minute walk from Plaza de Armas (Calle San Camilo 212, Arequipa), the San Camilo Market is the most popular indoor market in Arequipa. It is also the most expensive and the most likely place to get your phone or wallet stolen, so keep your wits about you and you’ll be fine. It’s worth it to explore all the beautiful produce, cheeses, meats, cheap meals, and textiles. I loved to sample the different fruits that I didn’t recognize, or just buy a bunch and try them all back at my hostel. I recommend trying chirimoya and lucuma!
Queso Helado at Doña Rosa
While you’re visiting San Camilo Market, make sure to go upstairs to the second floor to try Arequipa’s famous Queso Helado. It literally means ‘frozen cheese,’ but don’t worry, there is no cheese in this ice cream. It merely looks like cheese when served in small slabs. Queso Helado tastes a lot like cinnamon rice milk with coconut and it’s not as creamy as traditional ice cream. But that’s what makes it so unique! You can also find Queso Helado vendors standing outside Plaza de Armas or at many restaurants, but Doña Rosa is the best!
Relaxation and Chill
Watch a Rooftop Sunset
There are a some amazing rooftop locations where you can watch the sunset and have a beer, cocktail, or expensive coffee. My favorite location is Waya Lookout Rooftop Bar because you have a large area of different viewpoints, and the bar itself is very modern and cozy. You can also go to the Sunset Rooftop Bar or Katari Hotel Bar for a drink. For dinner and a slightly more expensive drink, visit Restaurant on the Top.
Pamper Yourself with a Massage
For an awesome 60-minute massage that costs a fraction of the price you’d pay in North America (about $15 USD depending on the massage), make an appointment at Massage Suite’s Arequipa through Facebook or WhatsApp. You’ve probably done a lot of walking, hiking, and bus-riding by the time you got to Arequipa, and your body could use a pick-me-up. I recommend the Traveler’s Massage, but also enjoyed the Swedish massage (relaxing), Spanish massage (deep tissue), and a 15-minute chair massage that got rid of my headache. Massage Suite’s will also come to your hostel or hotel room for an additional fee.
Indoor Activities and Workshops
Chocolate Making Class at ChaqChao
I enjoyed making my own chocolate truffles so much, that I did this workshop twice. You learn everything you didn’t know about chocolate including how to spot fakes (basically every large chocolate corporation in the world) and how to make each type of chocolate (dark, milk, and white). By the end, you have dozen chocolate pieces with toppings. My favorite combo was sea salt and rocoto (red chili) but they have everything from nuts, fruit, seeds, and matcha. The class takes about three hours and costs only 60 soles or $25 USD. The workshop times are 11am and 2:45pm. You can book online or in person.
Dance Lessons at Liber Dance Studio
Have you ever wanted to learn salsa or bachata, but you thought it’d be too hard? Don’t worry — the instructors at Liber Dance Studio are fantastic and patient. Even if you don’t know much Spanish, you can still take these lessons. And you don’t need a dance partner because you will circulate dance partners during class every day. I bought a package deal of 1 hour lessons for six weeks at three classes per week. I only paid 75 soles, or about $23 USD. However, this was a special promotion, so you should contact the studio to learn more about pricing.
Coffee Workshops at Kafi Wasi Coffee House
Ever wanted to learn how to pull the proper espresso shot or make your own latte art? You can learn these coffee skills and more. Each workshop at Kafi Wasi Coffee House is three hours per day and you can schedule for any day of the week or time you like. You can take the workshop in Spanish or English. Five of the classes are one-time, one-day only, but the Barista Level I workshop last five days and ends with an exam and certificate of achievement.
Here are the workshops they offer:
Coffee Lovers – Learn about making coffee, using different types of milks, and different beans. 70 soles ($21 USD)
Brewing – Learn about the different methods of brewing coffee that you can use at home. 70 soles ($21 USD)
Latte Art – Learn to make different types of latte art including animals, flowers, and hearts. 80 soles ($24 USD)
Cupping – Learn about the art of tasting coffee and identifying different roasts and bean origins by taste. 70 soles ($21 USD)
Espresso’s DNA – All about espresso! How it’s made, what type of beans to use, and how to pull the perfect espresso shot. 70 soles ($21 USD)
Barista Level I – Five day workshop to learn the theory of coffee, how to brew with different methods, make espresso, tasting, and an exam. 220 soles ($66)
Take a Spanish Lesson or Two
Looking to brush up on your Spanish speaking skills while you’re in South America? Arequipa is a great place to sign up for Spanish lessons, as it’s much more affordable. If you aren’t planning to spend several weeks in Arequipa, you can still hire a private teacher for a couple of hours a day, and it will still be very affordable. I found my Spanish teacher Duida through Limbo Jump Hostel, who speaks very good English and teaches English to middle schoolers during the day. Our sessions consisted of grammar lessons, home-made games, homework exercises, and real-world shopping and dining to help me learn Spanish.
To supplement my learning with Duida I continued to study Spanish outside of Peru with these free resources and strategies.
Outdoor Activities
Climb a Volcano – Misti or Chachani
Misiti is located an hour outside of Arequipa with a summit that reaches 5825 meters (19110 feet). You can do a two-day trek or half-day with a tour guide. Many hostels will offer to set this up for you. The hostel I stayed at, Limbo Jump, offers a two-day trek for S/250 or $75 USD, but you can also find travel guides in and around the Plaza de Armas. This trek is not for the faint of heart given the altitude and level of difficulty.
Chachani is located about three hours outside of Arequipa with a summit of 6075 meters (19931 feet), and is considered to be the “easiest” 6000 meter mountain in the world. However that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy for you. Much like Misti, the altitude can take you out from under your feet and you want to be in good physical condition to climb. The hostel I stayed at, Limbo Jump, offers a two-day trek for S/300 or $90 USD, but you can also find travel guides in and around the Plaza de Armas.
Visit Colca Canyon for a Trek and Condor Sightings
Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons on earth at 3270 meters (10,730 feet) deep and is famous for condor sightings. Many people travel to Arequipa for the sole purpose of being in a big city that isn’t far from Colca Canyon. You can easily join a tour group through your hostel or from a travel agency in Plaza de Armas who will guide you through the Canyon for 1-3 days and take care of all transportation. I have heard from many tourists that the 1-day tour is not worth it because you have to get up at 3am and spend the majority of your time on a bus for the day. You can do a 2-night, 3-day trek for around $50 USD (166 soles) per person, so it’s rather affordable. Most tours do NOT include the 70 sol ($20 USD) Colca Canyon entrance fee, so remember to factor this in when choosing a tour agency. There is lodging throughout the canyon, so you do not have to carry around a tent or sleeping bag along the trek, which is convenient. Most lodging locations will provide you with breakfast and dinner for a fee, so you don’t have to pack all of your meals. You can also plan your own multi-day trek like my friend and I did and find your own transportation to the canyon via bus and taxi, and it will cost a you a bit less and provide you more flexibility.
Rafting on the Chile River (Rio Chile) with Cusipata
I’ve heard from many tourists who came through my hostel that river rafting is a great activity in Arequipa. Many people have recommended the Cusipata rafting company. They have several trips throughout the day, starting at 8am. They will pick you up and drop you back off at your hostel or hotel, and provide all the gear that you need.
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Cusco is the main hub for visitors on their way to and from Machu Picchu, with flights to its small airport bringing in a steady flow of tourists from around the world. Though Machu Picchu is definitely the main attraction around, I would highly encourage you to spend some time in the city and check out some of these awesome things to do in Cusco, Peru rather than just passing through. It’s home to its own Incan ruins, plus a number of museums with historic artifacts. If you’re arriving from lower elevations, you’ll likely want to take it slow here as you adjust to the altitude sickness, so give yourself a little extra time.
Inca sites in Cusco
Sacsayhuaman
These Incan ruins are one of the top things to do in Cusco with their fantastic construction and great views of the city. Believed to have been constructed starting in the fifteenth century, Sacsayhuaman (also spelled Sacsaywaman among other variants) served as an important religious site and fortress. Like all the other Incan ruins in the Sacred Valley, the stones are cut impossibly perfectly. Visitors can explore the remaining structure, including towers and doorways and a polished stone throw. I also ducked through an old tunnel for the fun of it. From the Sacsayhuaman ruins, you can also see surrounding mountain peaks that were considered sacred. I visited in late afternoon and got to see the city at dusk, which was an extra bonus – it was definitely my favorite out of the list of what to do in Cusco. It’s possible to walk up to the ruins from the Plaza de Armas, but I took a taxi up to the top since I was still not fully acclimated to the altitude, and then made the walk back down on my own. Admission to Sacsayhuaman is included in the tourist ticket.
Korikancha - Coricancha - Qoricancha
Korikancha (also spelled Qorikancha) was one of the most important religious sites in the entire Incan Empire. Dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, it was said to be filled with gilded carvings and statues of gold. Of course, when the Spanish arrived, they plundered the gold, melted most of it down, and shipped it back to Spain before constructing the Convento de Santo Domingo on top of Korikancha’s foundations. Nowadays, visitors can see the remains of the foundations and gardens, which, like seemingly all Incan structures, were exquisitely carved. Taking a guided tour is highly recommended.
12 Angled Stone in Cusco, Peru
Located on the side of what is now the Archbishop’s palace, this famous stone is a great example of the finesse with which the Incas cut stones for their construction. Its many angles align perfectly with the surrounding stones without any mortar. You can find the 12 Angled Stone on Hatun Rumiyoc Street near the Plaza de Armas – it’ll be easy to spot thanks to the tourists you’ll always find gathered around it. This is a quick stop on your list of things to do in Cusco and shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes to admire the work and snap a couple of photos. It’s also free to view.
Museums in Cusco
Museo de Arte Pre-Colombino
This museum near the Plaza de Armas features more than 400 pieces of artwork from (as its name would indicate) pre-Columbian times. A sleek, modern entrance gives way to an historic courtyard with entrances to different rooms housing collections of various artifacts. My favorite pieces on display were the jewelry. The craftsmanship of these items from centuries ago is absolutely incredible. The Museo de Arte Pre-Colombino is open until 10 pm, which makes it a great option for things to do in Cusco in the evening. It’s also associated with the Larco Museum in Lima, which is definitely worth a visit if you have some time to spend in the capital.
Museo Inka
The Inca Museum is located just off the Plaza de Armas and features two floors of exhibits in a historic building focusing on the Incas. There is a variety of artwork and weaponry on display, but by far my favorite section featured real Incan mummies. The bodies are incredibly well-preserved and now reside in a dark room that somewhat resembles a tomb. It’s a good way to spend a couple hours, especially for those who are especially interested in Incan culture.
Cusco Planetarium
The Incas were very closely connected with the stars, sun, and moon, and a visit to the Cusco Planetarium is a great way to learn more about the night sky that they observed. It’s especially interesting for me as a visitor from the Northern Hemisphere as the southern constellations are different from the ones I grew up looking at. Seeing the Southern Cross for the first time years ago in South Africa was such a cool experience. Visitors to the planetarium here can reserve a spot for an evening program, which includes round trip transportation from the Plaza Regocijo very close to the Plaza de Armas. Your visit includes an introduction to Incan astronomy, a dome presentation of the southern sky, and a chance to do some stargazing through telescopes if the skies are clear.
Museo Histórico Regional
The Regional History Museum is a small collection in a historic building is included in the tourist ticket almost everyone visiting the region purchases, which is the main reason I included it. It has some cool exhibits featuring fossils and arrowheads from the region all the way up through Spanish occupation. There is plenty of artwork and some cool furniture to see. I wouldn’t allocate more than an hour or two to visit, but since it’s included in the ticket, it’s a great way to kill a couple hours without spending any more money.
Other things to do in Cusco
Plaza de Armas in Cusco, Peru
The Plaza de Armas is Cusco’s central tourist area and the activity hub for many of the things mentioned in this post. Constructed by the Spanish atop a former Incan gathering ground, two sides of this beautiful plaza are taken up by religious buildings with the other two full of shops and restaurants. Some of the buildings are built on old Incan foundations, but the feel of the plaza is decidedly Spanish. It’s definitely worth paying a visit to with its central fountain and beautiful architecture. It’s also beautiful after dark. We ate a couple meals right on the plaza, and while it’s decidedly touristy, we enjoyed both experiences. Our lunch there was in a restaurant with a balcony and we loved sitting there watching people come and go below us while we ate. Be prepared to be approached by an endless stream of vendors selling trinkets, woven items, tours, and more.
Santo Domingo's Cathedral
Also known as the Cusco Cathedral, the Cathedral of Santo Domingo dominates the Plaza de Armas. Built on Incan foundations – in fact the Spanish construction suffered greatly during earthquakes while the older Incan foundations survived – this was the heart of the Catholic church in Cusco. For an admission fee, you can visit the cathedral and check out its artifacts and artworks. Most notable is the Peruvian version of the famous Last Supper painting with a guinea pig (cuy) substituted for the entrée in an attempt to appeal to the local population they were seeking to convert.
Mercado de San Pedro
This massive market is full of vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables and is a great way to get a taste of life in Cusco. You can also grab a fresh-made smoothie or light lunch from vendors during the middle of the day. (If you’re getting juice or a smoothie, check to see if they’re made with bottled water before ordering if you’re not accustomed to the local water) There are, of course, plenty of stands selling souvenirs to tourists. You can easily spend a couple of hours wandering the stalls and browsing the foods and goods for sale. Keep an eye out for the churro vendor right at the entrance because the custard filled ones were legit the best churros I’ve ever had. Regardless of what you’re looking for, this vibrant market place is well worth a stop on your visit to Cusco, and I was so glad we were staying right across the street from it.
Heading to Machu Picchu after your visit to Cusco? Check out these posts full of tips:
Inca Rail vs. PeruRail: Picking the Best Train to Machu Picchu
Everything You Need to Know About the New Rules for Visiting Machu Picchu
Relax at the Hot Springs in Aguas Calientes, Peru
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