Why Honeymoon in Arequipa
Arequipa rarely makes the first draft of a Peru itinerary, which is its advantage. The historic center is grand without being crowded: arcaded plazas, a cathedral that runs the full length of the main square and colonial mansions with carved stone doorways. At about 7,600 feet, it is also gentler on the lungs than Cusco or Puno.
The city's showpiece is the Santa Catalina Monastery, a walled convent founded in the late sixteenth century that is almost a small town inside the city. Its lanes are painted deep blue and terracotta, with flowerpots in every corner. Couples tend to spend far longer here than planned.
Then there is the food. Arequipa has its own regional cuisine. Long lunches at picanterías are a local institution.
Finally, the Colca Canyon gives you a dramatic landscape within a few hours' drive: condors, hot springs and terraced fields that look much as they did centuries ago.
When to Go
Arequipa is sunny for most of the year. The dry season runs roughly from April through November, with clear skies, warm days and cool nights. This is the best time to visit both the city and the Colca Canyon.
Condor viewing at Colca is generally best in the drier months, when the birds rise on morning thermals near the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint. Arrive early in the morning for the best chance.
December is still pleasant, while January through March brings most of the year's rain. Storms are usually in the afternoon but can affect roads to Colca.
August 15 marks the anniversary of the city's founding, with a week of parades, music and food fairs around that date. It is a lively time to visit, though hotels fill.
Nights at Colca are much colder than in the city, particularly from June to August, so pack layers.
Where to Stay
In Arequipa, stay in or near the historic center so you can walk to the plaza, Santa Catalina and the best restaurants.
Several hotels occupy restored colonial mansions with stone courtyards, a style that suits a honeymoon well. Casa Andina Premium Arequipa sits in an eighteenth-century house close to the main square. For a classic grand hotel, the Hotel Libertador Arequipa occupies a historic building in the leafy Selva Alegre district a short taxi ride from the center, with gardens and a pool.
In the Colca Canyon, accommodations are spread through the villages along the valley. Colca Lodge near Yanque is known for its natural hot spring pools beside the river, ideal after a day of exploring. Smaller boutique lodges and guesthouses in Yanque and Chivay offer a more intimate stay.
Spend at least one night at Colca. A day trip from Arequipa is possible but very long, with an early start.
Romantic Things to Do
Spend a slow morning at the Santa Catalina Monastery, wandering its narrow lanes, cloisters and kitchens. The convent opens some evenings, when lamps and candles give it a quieter mood.
Visit the Museo Santuarios Andinos to see Juanita, an Inca girl sacrificed on the summit of Ampato and found frozen in 1995. It is a moving, unusual museum that explains the role of mountains in Andean belief.
Walk across the river to the Yanahuara district, where white stone arches frame a view of El Misti. Late afternoon light here is lovely.
At Colca, be at the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint early in the morning to watch condors glide past at eye level. Afterward, walk the trails between terraced villages or join a local family for a meal.
End the day in the hot springs, either at your lodge or at the public pools near Chivay.
Getting There and Around
Arequipa's airport (AQP) has frequent flights from Lima (about 1.5 hours) plus connections to Cusco and Juliaca. The airport is around 20 to 30 minutes from the historic center by taxi. There are no nonstop flights from the US, so you will connect through Lima.
The Belmond Andean Explorer, a luxury sleeper train, links Arequipa with Puno and Cusco on multiday journeys. Tourist buses also connect the city with Puno, a scenic drive across the high plains.
The historic center is very walkable. Taxis are inexpensive for trips farther out. Use app-based or hotel-arranged taxis.
To reach the Colca Canyon, most couples hire a private driver or join a guided tour. The drive to Chivay takes about three hours and crosses a high pass of roughly 16,100 feet, so altitude is a concern even if you are coming from Cusco. Stop along the way to see vicuñas in the national reserve.
Food and Drink
Arequipa takes its food seriously. The picantería is the place to start. These traditional restaurants serve hearty regional dishes at lunchtime, often at long shared tables. La Nueva Palomino and Sol de Mayo are long-running names locals recommend.
Order rocoto relleno, a spicy red pepper stuffed with spiced meat and topped with cheese, then baked. Chupe de camarones is a rich river shrimp chowder. Solterito is a fresh salad of fava beans, cheese, onion and tomato. On Sunday mornings, many families eat adobo arequipeño, a pork stew marinated in chicha.
For dessert, try queso helado, a creamy ice dessert sprinkled with cinnamon, sold from carts and in shops around town.
Arequipa also has a growing scene of modern Peruvian restaurants, cafés and cocktail bars. Pisco sours and chilcanos are local favorites. At Colca, try alpaca dishes and trout from the river.
Honeymoon Tips
- Spend at least two nights in Arequipa and one or two at Colca. The city deserves time. The canyon needs an overnight.
- Bring sunscreen and sunglasses. The sun at altitude is intense even when the air is cool.
- Prepare for the high pass on the way to Colca. Drink water, go slowly and talk with your doctor about altitude medication.
- Be at Cruz del Cóndor early. Condors are most active in the morning.
- Book picantería lunches for midday, when they are at their best. Many close by late afternoon.
- Buy alpaca textiles from reputable shops to make sure the fiber is genuine.
- Combine Arequipa with Lake Titicaca and Cusco. A loop by plane, train or road links all three.
