Cayma: Located three kilometers from downtown and past Yanahuara, this district, on the right shore of the Chili river, is called “The Balcony of Arequipa,” since from his heights one can see the entire city. Its main plaza has a church whose interior houses the image of the Virgin of the Candlemas, donated by King Carlos V.

Carmen Alto District with many pre-Columbian features, and in whose fields it is possible to camp. It is also the site of battles during the Arequipa civil war and has a modest museum that illustrates those historical battles.

Characato Town 14 kilometers from the city. The Merced church and an old manor house from 1795 are located in the main plaza. Characato also features an observatory and a geomagnetic and seismic station as well as another that tracks satellites.

Socabaya The most interesting aspect of this town located 10 kilometers from the city is its wonderful landscape, which has been a source of inspiration for arequipean poets and painters. Visitors can hike and camp the in the natural caves of Las Peñas.

Chilina Only a 10-minute drive from the city, this district is for many most beautiful and romantic of the arequipean countryside. Out of its fields rise two volcanoes and the most splendid dawns. It also has the perfect fields for camping trips and hiking to observe the precious wildlife and plant life of the region.

Tiabaya This district nine kilometers from downtown offers its countryside with delicious traditional pear trees and picanterías (traditional restaurants).

Yura Synonymous with medicinal-mineral or thermal waters is located 30 kilometers from the city. In its swimming pools, for multiple and individual use, visitors can get therapy for a variety of ailments. In addition it has diverse recreational centers for camping or sports and a hotel properly equipped for tourists.

Socosani Seven kilometers from Yura, we find another assembly of thermal waters. The water here is bottled for drinking and is very appreciated throughout the country. In addition it has impressive waterfalls and immense fields for camping. It is flanked by hills suitable for hikes and rock climbing.

These are the most outstanding districts of Arequipa and mostly those that are close to downtown and can be reached easily. The downtown is also is considered a district, ‘El Cercado’ (The Surrounded One,) where the historical center of the city is located as well as several colonial churches and manor homes. There is also a great diversity of stores and cultural centers that feature art from this wonderful region.

Post The post office is located on the first block of Moral.More…
Consulates
Austrian Consulate, Quinta Tristán K-9, José Luis Bustamante y Rivero, T 424768.
Belgian Consulate, Av. Lima 401, T 216669.
Bolivian Consulate, Mercaderes 212, of. 405, T 213391.
British Consulate, Av. Tacna y Av. Arica 145, T 241340.
Chilean Consulate, Mercaderes 212, of. 400, T 226787.
Italian Consulate, Centro Comercial La Salle D-15, T 221444.
Spanish Consulate, Ugarte 218, 2nd floor, T 214977.
Swedish Consulate, Av. Villa Hermosa 803, T 252499.
Swiss Consulate, Av. Miguel Forga 348, Parque Industrial, T 229998.Crime and safety
There have been many incidents of taxi drivers assaulting passengers, and to avoid this it is best to use reliable taxis. In general, taxis from companies with phone numbers and names prominently displayed, are safer, and so should be used if possible.

The tourist police station is located at Jerusalén 317.

Health
The best private clinics in Arequipa are the Clínica Arequipa (Corner Puente Grau and Av. Bolognesi, Yanahuara) and the Clínica Monte Carmelo (Gómez de la Torre 119, Urb. Victoria). The EsSalud hospital is located at the corner of Peral and Ayacucho. The Hospital Honorio Delgado is located on Av. Salaverry.

Immigration offices
The immigration office is located at Parque Dos, Quinta Tristán, T 421759. Take a taxi from the centre.

Laundry
Lavandería Alemana is located at San Camilo 501-B.
Lavandería Cayro is located at Jerusalén 311.
Lavandería Del Pueblo is located at Puente Bolognesi 342 and Alvarez Thomas 558.

Local transport, combis and buses
Combis and buses go to all parts of the city. From the centre, the best place to catch combis is from Sucre (heading towards Tingo) and Cruz Verde (heading towards Yanahuara and Cayma). There is a flat fare of $0.20.

Taxis
Taxis are the easiest way to get around Arequipa, charging $0.70 for a standard journey. Always take a taxi with a company logo, as there has been a spate of assaults by robbers posing as taxi drivers.

Money, Banks
Banco de Crédito (Visa cash machine) at the corner of General Morán and San Juan de Dios.
Banco Continental (Visa cash machine) is at San Francisco 108.
Interbank (Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus cash machine) at Mercaderes 217.
Scotiabank at Mercaderes 410.

Moneychangers
There are plenty of money changing shops in the centre, especially opposite bank branches.

Sport and activities
Taking part

There is a good sports club, Club Internacional (Av. Bolognesi, Yanahuara), by the river, where there are excellent sports facilities (two swimming pools, tennis, football, frontón, a gym). There are also football pitches and frontón courts in the parks in many residential neighbourhoods. There is an Olympic-size public swimming pool in Cayma.

Football
The local team, FBC Melgar is in the Peruvian first division. The team play at the Estadio Melgar or at the Arequipa Stadium (UNSA).

Bull fighting
Bull fights take place in August when Arequipa celebrates its founding. Unlike in most of the world, the fight takes place not between a bull and a man, but between two bulls, and neither of the bulls is killed at the end. Fights tend to take place outside of the city is the country districts. Bull fighting gallery Pic

Horse Racing
There are races most days at the Hipódromo in José Luis Bustamante y Rivero.

Toilets
There are toilets in the Panorámico shopping centre. Always carry toilet paper, as many toilets, even in restaurants, do not provide any.

Travel services
Tourist information

The tourist information office is located on the Main Square and has good information on the main attractions in the area.

Travel Agencies
There are dozens of travel agencies in Arequipa offering tourist services for travellers. Most offer similar trips, mainly to the Colca Canyon. Trips to other destinations, including climbing the nearby volcanoes, may need to be arranged privately. Acuarius Travel (Santa Catalina 104) TeleFax: +(51) (54) 247393 and Cevitur (Santa Catalina 102) are decent, cheap agencies. GSA PERU TRAVEL (Portal de San Agustín 119) Phone: +(51) (54) 226660 / Fax: +(51) (54) 202477, Gold Tours (Jerusalén 206), Ricketts Turismo (Santa Catalina 200), Lima Tours (Santa Catalina 120) and Cóndor Travel (Puente Bolognesi 120) are a bit more expensive, but offers better tours.

Private guides
Guides are available through the travel agencies, and there are good guides at Santa Catalina Convent and the Museo Santuarios Andinos.