Arequipa Audio Tours

Arequipa is at 2,335 metres, which is significant but not as extreme as Cusco at 3,400 metres. Many visitors feel mild symptoms including slight headaches and reduced stamina for the first day or two. Take it easy on arrival, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol the first evening, and consider a day of rest before doing a long walking tour.

The historic centre is compact and walkable from most hotels in central Arequipa. Taxis are inexpensive and the central area is easily navigated on foot. The Plaza de Armas is the logical starting point for any tour of the historic centre.

Rocoto relleno, a stuffed spicy pepper filled with ground meat and cheese, is the city's signature dish. Adobo arequipeno, a pork stew marinated in chicha beer and spices, is traditionally eaten for breakfast on weekends. Chupe de camarones, a shrimp chowder made with river prawns from the Colca Valley, is one of the great Peruvian soups. The picanterias, traditional restaurants serving these dishes, are scattered throughout the city.

Absolutely. Santa Catalina is a walled convent covering two city blocks that was closed to the public until 1970, and which functioned as essentially a separate town for cloistered nuns for four centuries. The ochre, blue, and white painted streets inside are genuinely surreal, and the complex is large enough to spend two to three hours exploring. Entry costs around 45 soles.