Arequipa Tours and Vacation Packages

Overview

Surrounded by three mountains in the southern coastal region of Peru is Arequipa. The “Legal Capital” of the country to be visited on a Peru vacation. Arequipa is home to the Constitutional Court and is an important commercial centre trading with Chile, Bolivia and Brazil.

Originally named Villa Hermosa de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, the city was founded on 15 August 1540. Just over a year later, King Charles V ordered that the name be changed to the City of Arequipa. It became known for its faithfulness to the Spanish during colonial times and was an important economic centre. Later, during the republican history of Peru, Arequipa grew into a hub of political thought and was the site of popular rebellions. As a result, the city produced many prominent Peruvian thinkers and intellectuals.