General Data
Arequipa, known as the White City for its beautiful white walls of sillar, a volcanic stone, lies at the feet of the mighty volcanos of Mount Chachani, Mount Misti, and the snow covered peak of Mount Pichu Pichu. The downtown of the city, placed on the World Cultural Heritage list by UNESCO, features Mixed Baroque churches and mansions from the Colonial Period like the Monastery of Santa Catalina, a Spanish city in miniature with stone streets, beautiful patios, and plazas. Sabandía, Tiabaya, and Tingo, located among the large fields, are must see places, and the irresistible Arequipa cuisine is the perfect complement to the visit.
Just 3 hours and 45 minutes from the capital is the Colca River valley and canyon, one of the most extraordinary destinations in the country. Throughout the region, you can see colorful pre-Incan agricultural terraces still used today for growing quinoa, corn, barley, and wheat. During the pre-Hispanic era, the department was inhabited by the Collaguas and the Cabanas; today, the inhabitants have learned to conserve their Colonial churches in Yanque, Lari, and Madrigal, and they continue to wear their traditional clothing.
You can also do many types of adventure sports in the valley such as mountain biking, trekking, and white water rafting. And, at the Cross of the Condor, you can view the majestic flight of the condors. Other places of interest in the department are the Toro Muerto petroglyphs, the Andagua Valley of the Volcanoes, and the Cotahuasi Canyon.
ALTITUDE
Arequipa (2335 masl / 7333 fasl)
Lowest point: 9 masl / 30 fasl (Punta de Bombón)
Highest point: 4910 masl / 16.109 fasl (Mirador de los Volcanes, Volcano Lookout, – Caylloma)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WEATHER
The city of Arequipa has a semi-arid and temperate climate with a maximum temperature of 21.7ºC (71ºF) and a minimum of 6.9ºC (44.4ºF). The rainy season starts in January and ends in March
.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCESS ROUTES
By land: Lima – Arequipa: 1003 km / 623 miles on the Pan-American Highway South (14 hours by car)
By air: Daily flights to Arequipa from: Lima (1 hour), Cusco (30 minutes), Juliaca (30 minutes) and Tacna (30 minutes)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTANCES FROM THE CITY OF AREQUIPA
Camaná (Province of Camaná) 173 km (108 miles)/ 2 hours and 30 minutes
Caravelí (Province of Caravelí) 382 km (238 miles) / 7 hours
Aplao (Province of Castilla) 178 km (111 miles) / 3 hours
Chivay (Province of Caylloma) 162 km (101 miles) / 3 hours and 45 minutes
Chuquibamba (Province of Condesuyos) 234 km (145 miles) / 5 hours
Mollendo (Province of Islay) 113 km (70 miles) / 2 hours and 15 minutes
Cotahuasi (Province of La Union) 379 km (236 miles) / 12 hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIRECTORY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIRPORT
Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport
Avenida Aviación, Zamácola, Cerro Colorado. Telephone: (054) 44-3464, (054) 44-3458
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OVERLAND TRANSPORT
Terrapuerto. Av. Arturo Ibáñez s/n, Jacobo D. Hunter. Tel: (054) 34-8810.
Terminal Terrestre. Intersección de Av. Andrés Avelino Cáceres con esquina de Arturo Ibáñez s/n, Jacobo D. Hunter. Tel: (054) 42-7798.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HEALTH CENTERS
Honorio Delgado Espinoza Regional Hospital
Avenida Daniel Alcides Carrión, la Pampilla José Luis Bustamante y Rivero, Arequipa. Telephone: (054) 23-1818 / 21-9702 / 23-3812. Attention: 24 hours
GoyenecheHospital
Avenida Goyeneche, Cercado. Telephone: (054) 23-1313 / 22-3501. Attention: 24 hours.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOCAL POLICE
Jefatura de Seguridad Ciudadana (Citizen Security Headquarters)
Calle Quinta Romaña 315, Cercado. Telephone: (054) 28-4354. Attention: 24 hours
XI Región de la Policía Nacional del Perú (National Police of Peru 9th Region)
Avenida Emmel 106, Yanahuara. Telephone: (054) 25-4020. Attention: 24 hours
Tourism Police
Calle Jerusalén 315, Cercado. Telephone: (054) 20-1258
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CRAFT MARKETS
Fundo El Fierro – FEDARA
San Francisco 415, Cercado.
Frente de Artesanos
Mercaderes 236, Cercado. Telephone: (054) 21-2729. Opening hours: Mon. – Thur. 9:00 A.M. – 1:30 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. – 8:30; Fri. – Sat. 9:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M.
Patio del Ekeko - C.C. de Artesanías
Calle Mercaderes 141. Telephone: (054) 21-5861. Fax: (054) 23-3575
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POSTAL SERVICES
Serpost. Calle Moral 118, Cercado. Telephone: (054) 21-5247 / 21-5245. Attention: Mon. – Sat. 8:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M.; Sun. 9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport
Av. Aviación s/n. Cerro Colorado. Telephone: (054) 44-39-67. Attention: Mon. – Fri.6:15 A.M. – 10:30 A.M. y 12:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sat. 6:15 A.M. – 12:00 P.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LINK
Regional Government of Arequipa www.regionarequipa.gob.pe
Arequipa Association of Hotels, restaurants, and Related Services www.arequipa-tourism.com
