Updated Jan 26, 2026
KEY STATS
1.0M
Population
650 km2
Area
344 Mbps
Internet
UTC−05:00
Timezone
AQP (7km)
Airport
OVERVIEW
Nicknamed the White City for its sillar stone architecture, Arequipa surrounds visitors with volcanic landscapes and colonial plazas perfect for contemplation between work sessions. Digital nomads appreciate the steady internet in cozy cafés and the mild highland climate that keeps days comfortable year-round.
QUICK FACTS
Country
Peru
Region
South America
Population
1.0M
Timezone
UTC−05:00
Currency
PEN
Language
Aymara
Airport
AQP
GPS
-16.40, -71.54
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Food
604 restaurants mapped in Arequipa
Tech
344 Mbps average download — faster than most capital cities worldwide
History
Founded in 1540, with 486 years of history
Connections
Arequipa has 20 sister cities worldwide
Travel
AQP airport just 7 km from the city center
INFRASTRUCTURE
6,832 total POIs 10.5 per km²
Above avg per capita
Average
Below avg
Food & Drink
Restaurants
604
Cafes
78
Bars
31
Fast Food
75
Shopping
Supermarkets
34
Convenience
99
Shopping Malls
72
Healthcare
Hospitals
24
Clinics
177
Pharmacies
141
Education
Schools
2,137
Universities
53
Libraries
6
Recreation
Parks
1,262
Playgrounds
50
Sports
241
Cinemas
6
Museums
23
Theatres
11
Transport
Bus Stops
379
Train Stations
3
Fuel Stations
149
Services
Banks
96
ATMs
54
Post Offices
8
Police
57
Fire Stations
7
Source: DropThe Database | dropthe.org
INTERNET SPEED
344 Mbps
Download
297 Mbps
Upload
8ms
Latency
45,563
Tests
15,601
Devices
2025-Q4
Last updated
CLIMATE
17°
J
17°
F
17°
M
17°
A
17°
M
17°
J
17°
J
17°
A
17°
S
17°
O
17°
N
17°
D
18-28 C ideal
Warm/Cool
Extreme
Year avg: 16.8 C Range: 17 - 16.6 C Rain: 250 mm/year Sunshine: 3,844 h/year
CITY SCORES
89.6
Nomad Index
A
Livability
51.2
Culture
69.0
Overall
AIRPORT
AQP
Rodríguez Ballón International Airport
7 km from center
Very close — ~11 min ride
FUN FACTS
Arequipa (Spanish pronunciation: [aɾeˈkipa]; and Quechua: Ariqipa), also known by its nicknames of Ciudad Blanca (Spanish for "White City") and León del Sur (Spanish for "Lion of the South"), is a city in Peru and the capital of the eponymous province and department.
It is the seat of the Constitutional Court of Peru and often dubbed the "legal capital of Peru".
It is the second most populated city in Peru, after the capital Lima, with an urban population of 1,295,700 in 2025.
Known for its colonial architecture and volcanic stone buildings, it is a major cultural and economic center.
The city had a nominal GDP of US$9,445 million, equivalent to US$10,277 per capita (US$18,610 per capita PPP) in 2015, making Arequipa the city with the second-highest economic activity in Peru.
EXTERNAL LINKS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Arequipa known for?
Nicknamed the White City for its sillar stone architecture, Arequipa surrounds visitors with volcanic landscapes and colonial plazas perfect for contemplation between work sessions. Digital nomads appreciate the steady internet in cozy cafés and the mild highland climate that keeps days comfortable year-round.
How fast is the internet in Arequipa?
Arequipa has an average download speed of 344 Mbps and upload speed of 297 Mbps, based on Ookla speed test data.
What is the weather like in Arequipa?
Arequipa has an average year-round temperature of approximately 16.8 degrees Celsius.
What airport serves Arequipa?
Arequipa is served by AQP (Rodríguez Ballón International Airport), approximately 7 km from the city center.
What is the population of Arequipa?
The population of Arequipa is approximately 1.0M.
What infrastructure does Arequipa have?
Arequipa has 6,832 mapped points of interest, including 604 restaurants, 24 hospitals, 2,137 schools.
What country is Arequipa in?
Arequipa is located in Peru.