Arequipa feels slower than Cusco or Lima. Days are simple: coffee, plazas, rooftop bars, a long lunch, maybe a monastery visit, or making Colca plans with other travelers. There are enough backpackers that you do not feel alone, but the city is not built around them. Nights can be social without becoming a long party. Some travellers love this reset feeling. Others feel bored after a few days, and that is fair.

Skip Arequipa if you want nonstop activity, strong nightlife, or a city full of famous sights every hour. Its appeal is slower: architecture, food, cafés, viewpoints, and nearby trips. Some travellers stay too long and end up walking the same streets again. It is also not a good choice if mid-altitude affects you badly and you hate early mornings, because Colca days often start painfully early. But if a beautiful, livable city with real space to breathe sounds good, Arequipa usually works very well.

Most backpackers get here on an overnight bus, usually from Lima, Cusco, Huacachina, or Puno. Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, and CIVA are the main companies, and Cruz del Sur is often the most comfortable choice for night trips. Lima to Arequipa takes around 18 hours and can start near S/100. Cusco is roughly 10 to 11 hours from about S/40 to S/50. Puno is about 6 hours from around S/29. redBus and Busbud make it easy to compare options. AQP airport is nearby, but bus is usually the cheaper choice.

May to October is the simplest answer. These are the driest months, with clear skies, better volcano views, and a better chance of Colca trips without bad weather. June to August has colder nights, so early bus departures can feel cold very quickly. April, May, September, and October are usually the best months: sunny, comfortable, and often a little easier for planning. January and February are the weakest months, with more cloud and rain, plus a higher chance of road delays or difficult canyon conditions.

Altitude matters here at about 2,335 m, but it is usually easier than Cusco. Take your first day slowly. Then leave Colca or volcano trips for later. Cards work in many places in the city, but cash is still important for markets, taxis, and places outside town. ATM fees in Peru are frustrating, often around S/18 to S/36. Small shops also dislike big notes, so carry S/10 and S/20 bills. Internet is good in the center. Also ask your hostel about water shutoffs, because they do happen.

Arequipa is one of the easier big stops in Peru to get used to, and the historic center feels comfortable in the day, even for solo women. The usual weak points are the bus terminal, late-night arrivals, quiet streets after dark, and using ATMs without attention. Use official terminal taxis or app rides like Uber or inDrive, especially at night. Keep your bags close on public transport. Take out cash in bank vestibules or busy places. The other main risk is altitude, especially if you go straight to Colca too fast.