Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery
Arequipa, Peru

Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery

Outty Ranking 59 4.5 · 46 traveler reviews3.5 hoursFrom $58
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Outty Ranking

59/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.5/5

Based on 46 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery worth booking?

Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery is a 3.5-hour experience in Arequipa, Peru, from $58 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 46 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
59 / 100
Rating
4.5/5 (46)
Duration
3.5 hours
From
$58 per person

Get to know Arequipa on this history-filled city sightseeing tour. With a professional guide, you’ll see the city’s top historical attractions, including the colonial districts of St Lazarus and Yanahuara, the Monastery of St Catherine and the Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa, as well as two locations that provide excellent views of the city and its surrounds – Carmen Alto and the Mirador de Yanahuara. Travel by air-conditioned coach and hop off at various sites to walk around and soak it all in.

What you get

    About this experience

    Get to know Arequipa on this history-filled city sightseeing tour. With a professional guide, you’ll see the city’s top historical attractions, including the colonial districts of St Lazarus and Yanahuara, the Monastery of St Catherine and the Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa, as well as two locations that provide excellent views of the city and its surrounds – Carmen Alto and the Mirador de Yanahuara. Travel by air-conditioned coach and hop off at various sites to walk around and soak it all in.

    What's included

    Included

    • Hotel pickup and drop-off
    • Professional guide
    • In-vehicle air conditioning

    Not included

    • Gratuities
    • Food and drinks

    What you'll see and do

    1. Historical Centre of the City of Arequipa

      The White City opens up its doors in a tour that begins in the Carmen Alto viewpoint from where we will be able to admire the beautiful landscape of farming terraces and the three guardian volcanoes that surround the city: Misti, Chachani and Picchu-Picchu.

      60 minutes here

    2. Plaza de Armas

      We will then continue to the colonial district of Yanahuara, famous for its church built in Andalusia style, and its viewpoint with is gorgeous architecture surrounded by sillar stone arches. We will then visit the Monastery of Saint Catherine, an impressive religious monument that had been closed to the public for nearly 400 years; its narrow streets, plazas and gardens reminds us of the ancient districts of Seville or Granada.

      60 minutes here

    3. Monasterio de Santa Catalina

      Finally, we will head for the Main Square, where we will be able to see the Cathedral and the arches that surround the plaza, and then visit the Church of the Company of Jesus founded in the 17th century by the Jesuits, and which stands out for its cloisters and the famous Saint Ignacio Dome.

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 20 minutes before departure.

    Options you can book

    • Shared Tour

      Expert Guide: This shared tour considers an english-spanish speaking guide, in both languages on same tour. Pickup included

    • Private Tour

      Pickup included

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 9 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    VIPAC Travel

    Know before you go

    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Note: Admission to religious places in shorts is not allowed; please wear long pants or a long skirt

    Photos

    Arequipa City Tour, Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina MonasteryArequipa City Tour, Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina MonasteryArequipa City Tour, Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina MonasteryArequipa City Tour, Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina MonasteryArequipa City Tour, Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina MonasteryArequipa City Tour, Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 46 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    7 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Photo opportunities

    4 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Traveler reviews

    46 verified traveler reviews for Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    34
    4 star
    7
    3 star
    1
    2 star
    2
    1 star
    2
    Sort
    Nora_B · October 2026

    Just the right amount of...

    Just the right amount of time to explore the “hits” of Arequipa. Mostly walking with a short drive. Highly recommend.

    via Viator

    nicholasn49 · September 2026

    Great tour

    Great tour we visited the monestry and other important sites

    via Tripadvisor

    Gidon_G · June 2026

    We had an excellent...

    We had an excellent private tour in Arequipa. Our guide John was knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about sharing the city's history, culture, and architecture. We visited beautiful landmarks and enjoyed stunning views of the surrounding volcanoes. The tour was well-organized, informative, and enjoyable from start to finish. I especially appreciated how the guide answered all our questions and made everyone feel welcome. Arequipa is a beautiful city, and this tour made our visit even more memorable. The monastery part was seamlessly handed by John to another (in-house) guide, and this part was very good as well; the monastery inner "city" is amazing. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Arequipa!

    via Viator

    Ada_G · February 2026

    Nice tour that gets one...

    Nice tour that gets one to the Yanahuara viewpoint without having to walk or take a taxi. The Iglesia de la Compania near the Plaza de Armas was beautiful and its San Ignacio Chapel decorated with birds from the jungle was amazing. Glad that admission was included, along with the even more expensive admission to the Monasterio de Santa Catalina. Although one can visit these sites on one’s own, this tour saves a lot of time. Jeymi was a good guide. Unfortunately February is not the best month for viewing the volcanoes though because it is the rainy season.

    via Viator

    Lindsey_P · August 2025

    Fantastic Guide and Tour

    Our guide, Charo, made this one of our best city tours in Peru. We would highly recommend it. We started out in the car seeing a few view points and she even made a few stops to accommodate some things we wanted to try but didn’t know how to find. We then did a walking tour of the Plaza de Armas area and Monastery of Santa Catalina and it was fantastic. All of the sites were not only beautiful but interesting. We especially loved the Monastery, which was not only beautiful but Charo also did a wonderful job of answering our questions and centering women’s history. As a historian, I can found her information far better and she centered women’s agency in ways others haven’t and she also addressed colonialism far better and in a more complex way. We cannot recommend this tour enough!

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    3.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $58 to $130
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    16
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by VIPAC Travel, who run 42 experiences we rank across 5 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 50.9.

    See everything VIPAC Travel runs

    Why this scores 59

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)67
    Review evidence (18% weight)65
    Booking momentum (14% weight)58
    Value for money (12% weight)0
    Listing quality (10% weight)74
    Local standing (8% weight)41
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Arequipa.

    How much does Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery cost?

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    Prices start at $58 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Arequipa usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery take?

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    Plan for about 3.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Arequipa is not rushed.

    Is Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 46 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Arequipa, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery?

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    Around 16 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Arequipa can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

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    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Arequipa and add a light layer if any part of the 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Arequipa within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Arequipa?

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    On Outty we rank every Arequipa experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Arequipa Rafting on the Chili river free pick-up,snack., 2 Day 1 Night Trek Colca Canyon, Chili River White Water Rafting Adventure with Pickup. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Arequipa?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Arequipa?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery?

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    Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off; Professional guide; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Gratuities; and Food and drinks. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery include hotel pickup?

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    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 150 listed pickup locations in and around Arequipa. Be ready about 20 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery offered in?

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    It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    What happens to Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery if the weather is bad?

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    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Arequipa. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery?

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    Across 46 reviews averaging 4.5 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, photo opportunities, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    What booking options are available for Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery?

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    There are 2 options to choose from, including Shared Tour, Private Tour. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery.

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