Province: Arequipa
Location: Around 1000km from Lima, 2.230m above sea level
Population: About 1 million inhabitants
Weather: All year long sunny and dry, warm in the day and cold at night
Altitude: 2.380 meters above sea level or 7.800 feet

Arequipa lies in the Andes Mountains, the snow-capped volcano El Misti overlooks the city. The city has many colonial-era Spanish buildings built of sillar, a pearly white volcanic rock, from which it gets the nickname La Ciudad Blanca ("The White City").

TOURISM FOR WEEKENDS
Arequipa lies in the so-called South Tour Corridor of Peru, which includes the cities of Nazca, Arequipa, Puno, Cusco, as well as the Inca Trail. It's also called "the city where the volcanoes rest" because it's surrounded by three impressive volcanoes: Misti, Chachani, and PichuPichu. Volcanoes are visible from almost every place from the city. The mix of natural attractions (volcanoes, rural path, hot spring fountains) and historical well-preserved monuments and houses is the seal of this 470-year-old city. Its people, well known as strong characters and hard workers all over the country, are also something difficult to forget to the visitor.

Cathedral of Arequipa
The Historic centre of Arequipa, keeps most of the important buildings from the Spaniard era. They are all built in volcanic sillar rock, and the whole complex represents an integration of European and native building techniques and characteristics, expressed in the admirable work of colonial masters and Criollo and Indian masons. There are several walking routes available to enjoy the centre. Most of them start in the Plaza (main square) and cover five or six blocks. Most maps include the important buildings along the centre streets. Some other well-preserved touristic areas within the historic core are the pedestrian-friendly San Lazaro neighborhood (east from the Main Square) and the Yanahuara district, located north and connected to the centre by two historic stone bridges.
The oldest Convent, where there are still nuns living in cloisters, is a small walled city with narrow streets, passages, staircases, and small squares.
The Convent remained closed to the public until 1970. The Convent has now recovered its original colorful view: the walls from the city were not only white, as most people believed. Ochre, indigo, and orange illuminate the austere architectural style.

The Tambos
Following Puente Bolognesi street and starting from the Main Square, a well-kept complex of buildings called "Tambos" have been recovered and arranged. They are populated buildings, used in the colonial era as hostels. Their current occupants have a deal with the city authority that permits visitors to enter to these living museums and imagine the everyday life of locals 400 years ago. Several Tambos are available; the most important are "La Cabezona" and "Tambo de Bronce".
After visiting the Tambos, one can follow the street and cross the oldest bridge of the city and, in those days, the main entrance.

The Rural route or "La Campina"
Part of the attraction of the city is its connection to its rural area. Green cropping fields surround the city. Many of the most traditional towns are in this area. Sachaca, Sabandia, Paucarpata are some of them. Several bus tours are available and last from two to four hours.
The rural area hides some of the most well preserved buildings of the colonial era of the city. The Founders House, Goyoneche Castle, and Sabandia Mill are among the best preserved.
Yumina is the area with the longest and most ancient terraces in Peru:
• Carmen Alto and Cayma with its picturesque valley between the volcanoes.
• Arancota with its typical local restaurants.
• Paucarpata with its tradition of guinea pig preparation.

ENTERTAINMENT
Arequipa has malls, cinemas and fancy discotheques.

TRANSPORTATION
Flights (Lima to Arequipa)
Arequipa is served by the Rodríguez Ballón International Airport, the second busiest airport in Peru. It features international flights mainly to Chile and Argentina, and in Bolivia and Miami. It also serves domestic flights. It is located at the Cerro Colorado District 12 kilometers from downtown.

In the City
Urban buses (BUSES AND COMBIS)
These buses are found only in the main cities, and they can hold twenty to forty passengers. There are defined bus stops, so tell the guy who charges the passage in what bus top you need to get off in advance.

Collective pick up trucks (Combis)
This means of transportation involves pick-up trucks, each one with a capacity for 10 people, however, in Peru get on 22 at he same time. They move quickly throughout the city and are cheaper; nevertheless, they are not recommended due to the high speed and aggressive manner of driving.

Taxis
Cost depends on distances, the average fee for ten blocks is USD 1.75 and the longest distance around Arequipa is USD 15.00