Good to know
Good to Know
- Arequipa's historic center is safe, calm and visitor-friendly. Stay in Centro Histórico or Yanahuara districts, which have better security.
- Visitors should keep their valuables secure and avoid walking alone at night.
- Crime spikes in summer months (December–February); petty theft increases with holiday crowds.
- Private healthcare in Arequipa is modern and reliable; budget for international health insurance if you're self-employed or remote-working.
- Internet stability varies—use a local ISP provider rather than relying solely on café WiFi for remote work.
- Do NOT drink tap water anywhere in Peru. Bottle water is cheap and widely available.
- Arequipa's altitude (2,400 m / 8,000 ft) is manageable for most nomads but lower than Cusco; arrive a day early to acclimate if sensitive.
Natural Hazards
Volcanic Risk
- Description
- There are 7 volcanoes near the city, so volcanic eruptions and lahar, or volcanic debris flows, are concerns.
Altitude Considerations
- Description
- Arequipa sits at 8000 ft (2400m). Some nomads may experience altitude-related discomfort, though Arequipa's elevation is significantly lower than Cusco or Puno.
Earthquake And Flooding
- Description
- Earthquakes, landslides, and flash floods are also dangers. In February of 2023, flooding and landslides due to heavy rain caused 7 casualties and 20 missing persons.
Safety Tensions
- Overall Context
- Compared to other cities in Peru, Arequipa's overall crime rate makes it relatively safe, especially when tourists practice common-sense precautions.
Taxi Safety
- Precaution
- To avoid this danger, never hail a taxi on the street. You can call for a taxi yourself, or have your hotel or airline call a taxi for you.
- Description
- Arequipa, Peru has a reputation for dangerous taxis. The good news is that you can find licensed taxis, which are safe. The bad news is that unlicensed taxis pose a serious risk. Tourists have been assaulted and robbed when using unlicensed taxis.
Petty Theft Risk
- Hotspots
- Pickpocketing is common in Arequipa, Peru, particularly in crowded areas. Pickpocketing and bag‑snatching are common in busy hubs such as Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, and Puno. Crowded public transport, bus stations, hotel lobbies, markets, and restaurants are hot spots for such crimes.
- Mitigation
- The Canadian advisory recommends keeping personal belongings, passports, and cash in secure places, avoiding displays of wealth, and never leaving bags unattended.
- Description
- Most common tourist problems: petty theft, booking Colca with unsafe/bad operators, and taxi/arrival hassles (especially near terminals).
Cost Classification
Hidden Costs
- Description
- Expat and nomad-targeted housing carries a significant premium over local long-term rents. Private healthcare costs spike quickly outside public systems. Tour operators vary wildly in safety and value.
Genuinely Cheap
- Local meals at markets and street vendors
- Public transportation (colectivos, buses)
- Accommodation in basic guesthouses shared rooms
- Local groceries and vegetables
Genuinely Expensive For Nomads
- Private healthcare and international health insurance
- Furnished short-term rentals (monthly, for nomads)
- Reliable high-speed internet (private ISP packages)
- International flights and transportation to/from Arequipa
Infrastructure Challenges
Healthcare System
- Coverage Gap
- Self-employed expatriates and retirees must secure private international health insurance.
- Description
- Private hospitals and clinics in Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa — the country's main urban centres — typically offer modern equipment, specialist services, and shorter waiting times. However, the poor standard of care people tend to experience in public healthcare facilities means many expats take out private medical cover instead. Healthcare and health insurance in Peru can be expensive, especially for those who do not have access to public health services.
Internet Reliability
- Qa Note
- Urban centers like Arequipa typically have better connectivity than remote areas, but reliability remains inconsistent for nomads needing stable work connections.
- Description
- Peru suffers from the difficulty of finding reliable internet access. Some expats and digital nomads may find the language barrier and lack of reliable internet access to be challenging. With limited infrastructure or unpredictable public Wi‑Fi, you might face slow speeds, data caps, or outages.
Water And Health Precautions
- Drinking Water
- You should generally avoid drinking the tap water in Peru, including Arequipa. H. Pylori and other microbes can be present in the water. Locals may be accustomed to these microbes, but they can cause stomach upset for you.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this the honest downsides research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Arequipa
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.