The old town of Arequipa is easy to get around on foot or by bicycle as it is spread over just five blocks.
Our Arequipa Transportation Guide below tells you all the ins and outs of getting to and around Arequipa, Peru. Joining an Arequipa tour will help you get the most out of your Arequipa vacation and allow you to see Arequipa like a local. More general information about getting around Peru can be found in our Peru Transportation Guide.
Arequipa Transportation Guide
Getting to Arequipa
By Air
There are no direct international flights to Arequipa. Travellers must first fly to Lima and then catch a connecting flight to Arequipa. You can also fly in from the other Peruvian cities of Cusco, Juliaca and Tacna. The flight from Lima to Arequipa takes 50 minutes whereas the Cusco to Arequipa flight takes 30 minutes and the flights from Juliaca and Tacna take 20 minutes each.
By Train
Arequipa is an important rail junction that is connected to Cusco, Juliaca and Puno. The journey by train from Puno to Arequipa takes 10 hours.
By Bus
Visitors to Arequipa will be pleased with the excellent bus network between Arequipa and all the large towns in southern Peru, including capital city Lima. You can take the overnight buses that ply between Arequipa, Lima and Tacna. Lima is 1020 km from Arequipa and the journey is 15 to 16 hours long. Tacna is 400 km from Arequipa. Buses with international permits run to towns in Chile and Argentina.
Getting Around Arequipa
Arequipa is not a large city, so it is best to walk to the various attractions. Taxis and buses are easily available too. The old part of Arequipa with its monuments is spread over just about five blocks and even the suburban districts of Yanahuara and Cayma are close enough for walking.
By Taxi
Though Arequipa has good roads, traffic jams are common during the day. Hiring a taxi in Arequipa may be cheaper than hiring a car from a rental service. A taxi ride from the Plaza del Armas to the bus terminals are priced at about $2.
By Public Transport
Arequipa public transport is limited to buses and minibuses that cover specific routes, with fares not more than one Sol. Taxi drivers usually work on their own, so fares are not high, but fares are best agreed upon before the journey.
Travel agencies run special tours at attractive fares to the Valley of the Volcanoes and the Cotahuasi and Colca Canyons.
However, if you wish to get around Arequipa on your own, the best option is to take a bus to Chivay, which is the capital of the Cailloma province and is located at the head of the Colca valley. To visit the Valley of the Volcanoes, take a bus to Andagua in the Castilla province. There are buses to Cotahuasi too, Cotahuasi being the capital of La Union.
By Bus
It is a good idea to begin with a guided bus tour to get a sense of direction in Arequipa. Arequipa bus tours take you around the city and the surrounding valleys, stopping at various interesting places.
The minibuses and combis are different types of buses that will take you all over Arequipa. They are a reasonably hassle-free way of getting around Arequipa. They travel along the Bolivar in the direction of the Terrestre Terminal located close to the Terrpuerto bus station. The rural areas of Arequipa have palaces, mills, terraced fields, volcanoes, and lots more.
Minibuses and combis will take you south along Bolivar Street as far as Terminal Terrestre (US$0.60, 20 minutes), adjacent to the Terrapuerto bus terminal, but the drive is slow along the crowded market
By Foot
Considering the chaotic traffic in the town, the quickest way to get around town is by walking. You can stroll down to the major tourist attractions like the Plaza, the Santa Catalina Monastery and most of the Arequipa hotels and restaurants, which are within walking distance of the Plaza.
