subject: Planning Your Arequipa Vacation [print this page] Planning Your Arequipa Vacation Planning Your Arequipa Vacation
When you start planning a trip, countless questions come to your mind that can make it exhausting. Where to go, when, how: all these questions can easily be answered with a little research. Peru is without a doubt one of the most beautiful countries in Latin America, filled with spectacular landscapes comprised of beaches, majestic mountains, lakes and more. If you are looking for both history and nature, you should not miss Arequipa, highlight of any trip to Peru. Here are some tips to plan your trip to this beautiful colonial city, the second oldest in Peru.
There are several ways to reach Arequipa from Lima, either by air or by land. If you have some time on your hands, you can take the bus. There are several excellent bus companies operating alongside the coast, some of them offering truly luxurious services, with large, comfortable seats as well as drinks and food. For a less time-consuming option, opt for flying. You can choose between StarPeru, LAN, and Peruvian Airlines which all offer daily flights between Lima and Arequipa.
The airport in Arequipa is about 15 minutes from the city center so if your hotel cannot organize pick up for you, you can easily take a taxi, for around 15 soles. Be careful when you take taxis in Arequipa to always make sure that they are official taxis, as there has been many a case of foreigners being robbed by illegal taxi drivers in Arequipa.
While in Arequipa, you are likely to remain in the historic part of town, where all the main attractions are. For added comfort, make sure to stay in a hotel relatively close to Plaza de Armas, Arequipa's main square, in order to be within easy walking distance from everything. This is also the safest part of town, and will save you some money on taxis!
There are countless options for food and drinks in Arequipa's central district, mainly on Avenida San Francisco, where you will find all kinds of restaurants and bars to suit your tastes. Delicious local and international food (Italian, Arabic, French and more) can be found in the area. You just have to walk up the street from Plaza de Armas and pick the one you like best. There are also many bars, located in charming interior patios. Don't hesitate to walk upstairs and take a look at the different places before you make up your mind.
