The 8 Best Hotels
in Arequipa
Arequipa — Peru's second city and self-styled 'White City' — earns its nickname from the pale volcanic sillar stone that gives its colonial mansions, cathedral, and sprawling Santa Catalina Monastery their distinctive cream-and-ivory glow. Sitting at 2,335 metres beneath the snow-capped cone of El Misti, Arequipa combines serious architectural grandeur with a manageable, walkable scale that Lima can't match. The hotel scene clusters around the historic centro, the chic Vallecito and Yanahuara residential suburbs, and a handful of converted casona mansions that let you sleep inside living heritage buildings. Prices run 20–30% cheaper than comparable Cusco properties for roughly equivalent quality, making this an excellent base for Colca Canyon trips.
We've narrowed it down to 8 hotels across three tiers — 2 splurges, 4 mid-range, and 2 budget picks. Arequipa's splurge tier means genuine boutique heritage hotels occupying converted colonial casonas with courtyards and original stonework, not international chains. Mid-range options here punch well above their price point given the exchange rate, while budget picks in the centro offer clean, characterful stays under €40 a night that would cost twice as much in Cusco or Lima.
| Hotel | Neighborhood | From €/night | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casa Andina Premium Arequipa | Centro Histórico | €110–195 | Splurge |
| La Posada del Puente | Selva Alegre | €95–170 | Splurge |
| Hotel Casona Plaza Arequipa | Centro Histórico | €55–110 | Mid-range |
| Libertador Arequipa | Selva Alegre | €80–155 | Mid-range |
| Hotel Núñez | Yanahuara | €45–90 | Mid-range |
| Le Foyer Hotel Boutique | Centro Histórico | €50–95 | Mid-range |
| Los Tambos Hotel | Centro Histórico | €22–50 | Budget pick |
| La Reyna Hostal | Centro Histórico | €18–40 | Budget pick |
Where to stay in Arequipa
Arequipa's hotels concentrate in three distinct zones: the UNESCO-listed Centro Histórico, the park-flanked Selva Alegre district, and the residential suburb of Yanahuara. Each has a different pace and price level, and choosing between them meaningfully changes the texture of your stay.
The historic centre contains Arequipa's greatest hits — the Plaza de Armas, Santa Catalina Monastery, the cathedral, and dozens of sillar-stone mansions — all within a 15-minute walk. Hotels here range from budget guesthouses to boutique heritage casonas. Noise from the pedestrianised streets can filter upward at night, and street food and restaurants are overwhelmingly concentrated here. The obvious choice for first-timers and short stays.
A residential park district 20 minutes' walk north of the Plaza de Armas along the Río Chili gorge. Hotels here — notably the Libertador and La Posada del Puente — offer more space, greenery, and quiet than the centro, with dramatic gorge-and-volcano views. Expect to pay for taxis or walk more. Slightly pricier for equivalent quality but significantly calmer. Best for travellers who prioritise peace over proximity.
Arequipa's most attractive residential suburb sits on a plateau west of the Río Chili with its own 18th-century church and a famous mirador framing postcard views of El Misti and Chachani. Excellent traditional picanterías and cafés line the streets. Hotels here are fewer and mostly small family-run properties — 10% cheaper on average than equivalent centro options. Reached by frequent local buses; a 20-minute walk over the bridge to the historic core.
A calm, mid-century residential neighbourhood just south of the centro popular with Arequipa's professional class. A few boutique guesthouses have opened here in recent years, offering a slightly less tourist-saturated alternative to the historic core. Proximity to the Universidad Nacional means good cafés and independent restaurants. Prices typically sit 10–15% below equivalent centro properties for a quieter, more local experience.
Casa Andina Premium Arequipa
Occupying a restored 18th-century sillar casona one block from the Plaza de Armas, this is the most polished hotel in Arequipa's historic core. Original stone archways, a central courtyard dripping with bougainvillea, and high ceilings contrast pleasingly with the contemporary Andean textiles and warm earth-tone interiors. The rooftop terrace delivers unobstructed views of El Misti. Breakfast is generous and included, the restaurant serves solid Peruvian-Andean fusion, and altitude-acclimatisation advice is built into the welcome briefing.
- 18th-century sillar casona with original stone arches
- Rooftop terrace with El Misti views
- Breakfast included, steps from Plaza de Armas
- Altitude acclimatisation support on arrival
- Courtyard garden with flowering bougainvillea
La Posada del Puente
Perched above the Río Chili gorge on the edge of the Selva Alegre neighbourhood, La Posada del Puente is a quietly exceptional owner-run inn with one of the city's finest river-and-volcano views from its terrace breakfast table. The 18 rooms are individually decorated with local weavings, antique furniture, and hand-painted tiles — no two alike. The intimate scale means genuinely personalised service: the family owners are fonts of knowledge about Colca Canyon logistics, local restaurants, and off-radar day trips. A 15-minute walk from the centro.
- River gorge and volcano views from breakfast terrace
- Individually decorated rooms with Andean antiques
- Owner-run with expert local knowledge
- Quiet residential neighbourhood, 15 min walk to centre
- Among the city's best breakfast spreads
Hotel Casona Plaza Arequipa
A thoughtfully renovated colonial casona tucked on a quiet side street two blocks from the cathedral, Hotel Casona Plaza occupies a 17th-century building with a lovely inner courtyard where breakfast is served on sunny mornings. Rooms are modest in size but well-finished with local stonework details and solid wood furniture. The staff are attentive without being overbearing, and the hotel organises Colca Canyon tours and airport transfers at competitive rates. Solid mid-range value in an unbeatable central position.
- Restored 17th-century casona, 2 blocks from cathedral
- Courtyard breakfast on sunny mornings
- Tour desk for Colca Canyon day trips
- Quiet street despite central location
- Consistently warm, personal service
Libertador Arequipa
The Libertador is a sprawling 1940s property set within its own gardens in the leafy Selva Alegre park district — an anomaly in a city of boutique casonas. Rooms are spacious and well-maintained, the outdoor pool is a genuine rarity at this altitude, and the on-site La Cantarilla restaurant is respected locally for its Arequipeñan cuisine. It suits travellers who want more space than a boutique casona provides, though the 20-minute walk to the Plaza de Armas means you'll use taxis regularly. A step above chain-hotel blandness thanks to the garden setting.
- Outdoor pool, rare at 2,335m altitude
- Spacious rooms in mature garden grounds
- Respected on-site Arequipeñan restaurant
- Quieter Selva Alegre park district
- Reliable infrastructure for business travellers
Hotel Núñez
A family-run hotel operating out of a converted republican-era townhouse in the quiet Yanahuara district, one of Arequipa's most attractive residential neighbourhoods with its own mirador offering iconic volcano views. Rooms are clean and unpretentious with traditional Peruvian textiles, tiled bathrooms, and reliable hot water — non-negotiable at this altitude. The small courtyard is a pleasant spot for afternoon coca tea. Local buses to the centro run frequently; the neighbourhood itself has excellent traditional picanterías within walking distance.
- Located in residential Yanahuara, near volcano mirador
- Family-run with warm, attentive hospitality
- Walking distance to excellent picanterías
- Reliable hot water and coca tea service
- Quieter, more local atmosphere than centro
Le Foyer Hotel Boutique
Le Foyer is a Franco-Peruvian-owned boutique hotel in a refurbished republican house in the centro, long popular with European travellers for its personal atmosphere and excellent Franco-Andean restaurant. The dining room serves one of the best set lunches in Arequipa — ceviche de trucha, lomo saltado, and French-inflected desserts — drawing locals as well as guests. Rooms are tasteful but compact; the real draw is the convivial communal areas and the multilingual hosts who navigate Colca, Cotahuasi, and beyond with genuine expertise. Fills quickly; book 6–8 weeks ahead for peak season.
- Franco-Peruvian owners, French spoken fluently
- Excellent on-site restaurant popular with locals
- Expert advice on Colca and Cotahuasi canyons
- Convivial communal lounge for meeting travellers
- Central location, strong repeat-visitor loyalty
Los Tambos Hotel
One of the most reliable budget options in Arequipa's centro, Los Tambos is a straightforward guesthouse in a converted colonial building with a small courtyard. Private rooms are simply furnished but spotless, with en-suite bathrooms and reliable hot water — the two things that matter most after a cold Colca excursion. A communal rooftop offers partial views of El Misti. Staff are helpful with transport bookings and tour recommendations. Breakfast is available for a small surcharge. A no-frills but thoroughly decent base for budget travellers.
- Private en-suite rooms from ~€22 per night
- Reliable hot water, colonial courtyard
- Rooftop with partial El Misti views
- Helpful staff for tour and transport bookings
- Steps from Santa Catalina Monastery
La Reyna Hostal
A long-standing backpacker favourite in the centro, La Reyna Hostal is a family-run guesthouse with a mix of dorm beds and private rooms in a narrow colonial building close to the covered San Camilo market. The communal kitchen is a genuine asset — a rarity among Arequipa budget stays — allowing self-caterers to make use of the market's excellent cheese, chilli, and produce. Bathrooms are shared in the cheaper rooms; the upstairs private rooms with their own bathrooms represent excellent value. The family owners have been here for decades and know the city inside out.
- Family-run for decades, deep local knowledge
- Communal kitchen for self-catering guests
- Steps from San Camilo market
- Mix of dorm and private room options
- One of the best budget value ratios in the centro
Frequently asked questions
How badly does altitude affect you in Arequipa, and do hotels help?
Are hotels in Arequipa expensive compared to Cusco or Lima?
Which area of Arequipa is best to stay in for a first visit?
When should I book hotels in Arequipa, and what is the busy season?
Can I use Arequipa as a base for Colca Canyon, or should I sleep in the canyon?
Is it safe to walk between hotels and restaurants in the historic centre at night?
Do Arequipa hotels cater well to vegetarians and food-sensitive travellers?
How we chose these hotels
Our editorial team reviewed Arequipa's hotel landscape and selected 8 across budgets, prioritising properties that capture local character — heritage architecture, owner-run boutiques, surf-town informality — over generic resort-chain accommodations. Where two hotels are comparable, we pick the smaller, owner-run option.
None of these hotels paid to be included, and we have no commercial relationship with any of them. Use the "View on Google Maps" links above to find each property's official website, current rates and availability. Prices are estimated nightly ranges in EUR for a double room and will vary by season and availability. Recommendations are reviewed every six months; this guide was last updated April 2026.
When to visit Arequipa
For everything you need to plan a Arequipa trip — neighbourhoods, food, things to do, day trips, transport — see our complete Arequipa travel guide.