Arequipa, Peru

Welcome to Arequipa, the legal capital of Peru and a city rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Founded in 1540, Arequipa is the second most populated city in Peru and an important industrial and commercial center. Its metropolitan area integrates twenty-one districts, including the foundational central area, which is the seat of the city government. Arequipa is known for its manufactured products and textile production of wool of camelids, and maintains close commercial links with Chile, Bolivia, and Brazil. The city’s historical center extends over an area of 332 hectares and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its diverse scenic and cultural spaces turn it into a host city of national and international tourism. Arequipa is also home to the Arequipeña School, a unique stylistic school of religious architecture that influenced Potosí (Bolivia). The city’s name has several possible origins, including a local tradition that states that Sapa Inca Mayta Cápac received a petition from his subjects to reach the valley of the River Chili and answered Ari qhipay (Quechua: Yes, stay). Arequipa is located at an average elevation of 2,328 metres (7,638 ft) above sea level, with the lowest part of the city at 2,041 metres (6,696 ft) above sea level in the area called Huayco Uchumayo while the highest is located at 2,810 metres (9,220 ft) above sea level. The central part of the city is split by the Chili River from north to south; to the north and east of Arequipa are the Andes Mountains, while to the south and west are sub-ranges of the Andes. The city’s skyline is dominated by a series of volcanic cones, including Misti and the extinct volcanic groups Pichu Pichu and Chachani. Arequipa’s climate is predominantly dry in winter, autumn, and spring due to low atmospheric humidity and a level of precipitation corresponding to that of a desert climate (BWk, according to the Köppen climate classification). On average, Arequipa has 300 days of sunshine each year. Typically, temperatures neither exceed 25 °C (77 °F) nor drop below 5 °C (41 °F). Join us as we explore the many wonders of Arequipa and discover why this city should be on every traveler’s list.