Arequipa offers excellent value. The backpacker traveller manages with €25-40/day: Selina or Wild Rover hostels €12-25/night, meals in popular picanterías €8-15, urban bus transport PEN 1-2. The comfort traveller (€50-90/day): charm hotel €60-130/night, restaurants €20-35/meal, guided excursions, taxis. The luxury traveller (€150-300/day): Hotel Libertador €180-300/night, gourmet restaurants €50-80, private Colca excursions with French-speaking guide.
Main items. Accommodation: hostels €12-30/night, 3* hotels €50-90, charm hotels €90-180, 5* Hotel Libertador €180-300. Restoration: San Camilo market €5-10, popular picanterías €12-25, charm restaurants €25-45, gourmet (Chicha, Zig Zag) €50-80. Sites: Santa Catalina PEN 60-70, cathedral PEN 25 + tower PEN 25, Compañía chapel PEN 10, Andean Sanctuaries (Juanita) PEN 25, Casa del Moral PEN 18. Internal transport: public bus PEN 1-2, taxi PEN 5-15 per ride, Uber/Cabify PEN 5-12. 2-day/1-night Colca excursion: €80-150/person all-inclusive. Lima-Arequipa flight return: €70-180.
Tips: pay in soles for most, USD accepted in high-end hotels and trek/Colca excursions. Visa/Mastercard cards accepted in hotels, central restaurants and excursions — keep cash for markets, taxis, tips. ATMs: numerous at Plaza de Armas and Calle Mercaderes. Tipping: 10% at restaurant if not included, PEN 1-2 per bag, PEN 30-50/day for Colca excursion guide.
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