Where to Stay in Arequipa Peru: My Top Areas & Hotels in 2025

Last Updated on June 18, 2025 by Oliver

Arequipa is, after Cusco, my favorite city in Peru. I really liked the colonial architecture, the great food and coffee scene, and overall just thought it was a super chill place to hang out for a few days.

Most people come here for the adventures around it, especially the Colca Canyon, which I think is an absolute must when visiting Peru. But there’s more to it. I hiked Mount Chachani, which sits at over 6,000 meters, and it was one of the wildest things I’ve done in the country. Even if you’re not here to climb mountains, the city itself is just a fun place to explore.

I’ve been to Arequipa twice now on two separate Peru trips, and in this article on Where to Stay in Arequipa, I’ll share the best areas to stay and my personal favorite hotels. Let’s get into it.

Where to Stay in Arequipa – My Experience

From my two visits to Arequipa, I can say it’s definitely my favorite spot in Peru after Cusco. I loved using it as a base to do hikes and day trips all around the region and of course to head into Colca Canyon, which I did as a two-day hike with a night in a homestay at the bottom. That whole experience was incredible.

When it comes to staying in Arequipa, I had two totally different experiences. The first time, I was backpacking Peru and stayed in a hostel close to the city center. It was super affordable and perfect for that trip, especially because they were really flexible with check-in and check-out times for people doing hikes around the area.

The second time around, I had a bit more of a budget to work with, so I went a little more upscale and wow, Arequipa has some stunning 5-star hotels, resorts, and boutique stays. Some are pretty luxurious, but a lot were actually still affordable compared to other places in Peru. I had a great time splurging a bit on accommodation and also on food. The cafe, restaurant, and bar scene here really surprised me and I loved going out to different Cafes and Coffee Shops every day.

Best Area to Stay in Arequipa Peru

When I first outlined this article, I considered whether to include different neighborhoods, mainly because I’ve seen other “Where to Stay in Arequipa” guides listing a bunch of random areas. 

Honestly, I think that’s all a bit of nonsense. The Historical Center is, in my opinion, the only area you should even consider. It’s basically the entire city center, and let’s be real, how many of you actually want to stay out in some random suburb? Not me.

The Historical Center is also pretty big and stretches from Parque Selva Alegre all the way past La Barraca, which covers pretty much everywhere you’d want to hang out anyway.

So yeah, do yourself a favor and stay in the Historic Centre. The closer to Plaza de Armas (the main square), the better.

1. Best Luxury Hotels & 5 Star Hotels in Arequipa

Wyndham Costa del Sol Arequipa // The Best 5 Star Hotel in Arequipa

Wyndham is definitely one of the most luxurious hotels and a true 5 star hotel in Arequipa. It’s one of the larger properties in the city, with a beautiful outdoor area and an amazing swimming pool, which isn’t super common in Arequipa. This is where I’d stay if I wanted something more comfortable or if I was traveling with family. They have spacious family rooms with private bathrooms, a great on-site restaurant, and again, the pool is a win.

Book Here: Wyndham Costa del Sol Arequipa

Hampton by Hilton Arequipa // A Great Unique Place to Stay in Arequipa

The Hampton by Hilton in Arequipa is one of the more unique hotels in the city. It’s set inside a historic colonial building, but part of it has been rebuilt with a sleek, modern touch so the architecture is this really cool mix of old and new. The whole place feels impressive, with big rooms, an excellent restaurant and bar, and it’s definitely somewhere I’d book for a honeymoon or a couples getaway.

Book Here: Hampton by Hilton Arequipa

Cirqa Relais & Châteaux // The Most Unique Hotel in Arequipa

Cirqa is hands down the most stunning and unique luxury hotel in Arequipa. I’ll be honest, it’s way out of my budget, but wow, is it something else. Set in a beautifully restored colonial building, staying here feels like stepping back in time and living in absolute luxury. The design is insanely tasteful. Seriously, just go look at the photos on Booking.com, it’s wild.

Book Here: Cirqa Relais & Chateaux

2. My Top Boutique Hotels in Arequipa Peru

La Hostería Boutique Hotel // This Is Where I Stayed Recently

La Hostería Boutique Hotel is where I stayed on my last visit to Arequipa and honestly, I loved it. First of all, the value for money is ridiculous. You can get a beautiful double room for under $100 a night, and it’s this high-class boutique hotel set in a stunning colonial building. There’s an indoor pool, a sun terrace, a little garden, and the whole vibe of the place was just incredible. No joke, this was my favorite hotel in all of Peru.

Book Here: La Hosteria Boutique Hotel

Palla Boutique Hotel // Best Boutique Hotel in Arequipa

Palla Boutique Hotel was actually another option I considered when I booked my stay. It has more of a modern, sleek feel compared to the colonial charm of La Hostería, which wasn’t quite what I was after that time but Palla still looks amazing. It has a huge rooftop terrace with a pool and maybe the best views in all of Arequipa.

Book Here: Palla Boutique Hotel

3. Affordable Accommodation in Arequipa

Hotel Terra by Refugio Ecológico // One of the cheapest hotels Arequipa

You don’t need to spend big on a luxury boutique hotel to stay in one of Arequipa’s beautiful colonial buildings. There are some great more affordable options out there, and Hotel Terra is one of them. It’s set in a charming colonial house with spacious rooms, private bathrooms, and a lovely courtyard that’s perfect for relaxing with a coffee or a beer. The hotel offers rooms at around $50 a night, which is great value.

Book Here: Hotel Terra by Refugio Ecologico

Casona Terrace Hotel

Casona Terrace Hotel is another solid budget-friendly boutique hotel in Arequipa. It’s definitely not as upscale as the more expensive options, but it’s also much cheaper—so you get what you pay for. The rooms are spacious, the courtyard is cute, the breakfast buffet is decent, and they’ve got a rooftop terrace with some great views over the city.

Book Here: Casona Terrace Hotel

4. My Favorite Hostels for Backpackers in Arequipa

Flying Dog Hostel Arequipa

Arequipa, and Peru in general, is super popular with backpackers, and that’s exactly what I was doing the first time I visited. The hostel I stayed at back then was actually pretty terrible, so I wouldn’t recommend it. Flying Dog Hostel, though, is a solid choice. It’s super affordable, clean, and spacious, with a rooftop terrace and a cool design thanks to the colonial-style building it’s in.

Book Here: Flying Dog Hostel Arequipa

Arequipay Hostel

Arequipay Hostel is a proper backpacker spot, super social, affordable, and a great place to meet people. They’ve got cheap dorm beds but also private rooms if you want a bit more comfort. It’s the kind of place where you’ll easily find a hiking buddy or some company for your next adventure.

Book Here: Arequipay Hostel

FAQs About Staying in Arequipa Peru

What are the best restaurants in Arequipa?

El Fuego is one of the best steakhouses in Arequipa, and they even serve cuy (guinea pig), a traditional Peruvian dish. It’s definitely an interesting experience and worth trying if you’re curious.

What are the best hotels in Arequipa?

That really depends on your budget. Cirqa is the most luxurious and unique hotel in the city, but if you’re after something more affordable, La Hosteria Boutique Hotel is where I stayed and it was honestly amazing.

How to get to Colca Canyon from Arequipa?

There are a few ways to do it. I took the public bus, hiked down, stayed overnight in a homestay at the bottom, then hiked back up and caught the bus again. But lots of people opt for an organized day tour from Arequipa, which is way more convenient if you’re short on time.

What to do in Arequipa?

What are the best things to do in Arequipa, hiking Colca Canyon is the top thing to do for sure, it’s absolutely stunning. But there are also bigger hikes. I did the Mount Chachani hike, which is over 6,000 meters high, and it was one of the best experiences I had in Peru.

Final Thoughts on the Best Hotels in Arequipa

I really like Arequipa and I love staying in Arequipa. Compared to Cusco, I honestly think the boutique hotels here are more beautiful and more thoughtfully designed. That alone makes staying here a bit more fun. There are so many stunning places to stay, and La Hosteria is still one of my favorite boutique hotels in all of Peru.

Definitely carve out a few days for Arequipa, and don’t just rush through on your way to Colca Canyon. There’s a lot to see and experience in this part of Peru.

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