Arequipa and Colca Canyon Fact File - Journey Latin America

When is the best time to visit Arequipa?

Arequipa can be visited throughout the year. It's climate is perfect for visitors, the sun shines everyday of the year and temperatures rarely exceed 23°C.

For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.

What language is spoken in Arequipa?

The official language spoken in Peru is Spanish.

What currency do I need in Arequipa?

The official currency of Peru is the Peruvian Nuevo Sol. Notes in local currency or US dollars can be withdrawn from the many ATMs using a UK credit or debit card. Numerous money exchange offices exchange US dollar cash (few accept euros or sterling and the rate may be poor).

What is the time difference between Arequipa and the UK?

The time difference between the UK and Arequipa is GMT-5 hours.

Which other countries combine well with Arequipa?

Lake Titicaca, 224km (9-12 hours by road) from Arequipa via Colca Canyon or 40mins flight from Arequipa to Juliaca; Nazca Lines, 404 km (10 hours on the Pan American Highway); Cusco 320 km (12 hours by road, 1 hour by air from Arequipa).

How do you get to Arequipa?

Flights to Arequipa from Lima take one hour. The drive from Arequipa to Colca takes 4-6 hours.

What are the festivals, and cultural events in Arequipa?

Semana Santa, Easter. Inspired by the celebrations in Spain’s Seville, with huge nightly processions and the reading of Judas’ Will in Yanahuara on Easter Sunday.

May is the “Month of the crosses” with hilltop ceremonies.

Arequipa’s anniversary (14-15 Aug) is celebrated with music, dancing parades, pageants and a huge fireworks display and parade of floats in the Plaza de Armas.

If you still have questions, please contact us and one of our Travel Experts will be happy to help.

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Ben Line - Travel Expert

Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.
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After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!
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Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
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A globetrotter since her childhood, Alex spent a year studying abroad in Guadalajara and has returned to Latin America countless times since then.
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Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.