Arequipa | I really want to go back to Peru!

Feeling like the happiest part of my South America trip last year was my solo adventure in Arequipa. ✨ Plaza de Armas This main square is arguably the most beautiful in South America! At sunset, the plaza and the volcano in the background are absolutely breathtaking. 🌄 There are also some rooftop bars around the cathedral where you can dine with a view. Monasterio Santa Catalina This monastery is a must-visit in Arequipa! If you love history and culture, it’s totally worth paying for an English-guided tour. The guide I hired—a lovely local lady—brought the nuns' lives to life and even showed me the best angles for photos. Perfect for nosy photography lovers like me! 📸 Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa You can climb to the top of the cathedral (student discounts available with a U.S. university ID!). Up there, you’ll see earthquake marks and distant volcanoes. ⛪️ Casa Museo Mario Vargas Llosa (Mario Vargas Llosa’s House Museum) No English guides here, and all the videos are in Spanish (the front desk lady even tried to talk me out of it when she realized I didn’t speak Spanish 😅). But it’s still a super interactive experience! The exhibits recreate scenes from the Nobel Prize-winning author’s life, his famous works (like The Green House), and even display his Nobel speech manuscript. The museum doesn’t sell his books, but you can find them in shops near Plaza de Armas. Other Attractions I also visited Museo Santuarios Andinos to see the frozen mummy, Juanita (no photos allowed, but her image stayed with me for a long time). Some travelers hike Colca Canyon, but according to a German couple I met in Bolivia, the trek is pretty tough! Food & Drinks! 🍽️ Zig Zag Loved their three-meat plate! Perfect for curious travelers who want to try alpaca but are afraid they won’t like it (the butter served with bread was the real star for me!). Also, don’t miss chicha morada—I drank it everywhere from Lima to Santiago! ☕️ Puku Puku This chain café has a rooftop in Arequipa—great for a relaxing break after exploring. #Peru #PeruTravel #Arequipa #SouthAmerica #Travel #OffTheBeatenPath #GraduationTrip #Photography #CityPhotography 🌎📷