Arequipa, known as the White City, is one of Peru’s most captivating destinations. Its privileged location between the coast and the Andes mountain range, as well as its pre-Inca, Inca, and colonial legacy, have granted it exceptional cultural richness. This southern region is home to traditions that have endured for generations and today form part of the living soul of the Arequipeño people.
Beyond its majestic landscapes and tourist attractions like the Colca Canyon or the Santa Catalina Monastery, Arequipa is an ideal destination for those who wish to immerse themselves in ancestral customs, religious expressions, folk dances, local architecture, and traditional gastronomy.
Below, discover 5 authentic traditions of Arequipa that you won’t find anywhere else in the country:
Contents
- 1. The Arequipeña Picanterías: Temples of Traditional Flavor
- 3. The Pilgrimage of the Virgen de Chapi: Faith and Devotion in the Desert
- 4. Sillar Constructions: White Architecture Sculpted in Lava
- 5. The Procession of Unburied Bones: A Tradition That Honors Forgotten Souls
- Arequipa: A Land Where Traditions Remain Alive
1. The Arequipeña Picanterías: Temples of Traditional Flavor
Picanterías are not just restaurants; they are true culinary sanctuaries where centuries-old recipes are preserved, prepared using techniques inherited from generation to generation. In these family-run spaces, cooking is done with firewood and meals are served at large communal tables, maintaining the spirit of sharing among diners.
The most emblematic dishes include rocoto relleno (stuffed spicy pepper), chupe de camarones (shrimp stew), adobo dominical (Sunday adobo), pastel de papa (potato cake), soltero de queso (cheese salad), among others. All of this is accompanied by traditional drinks like chicha de jora and frutillada (strawberry chicha), which perfectly complement the experience.
In 2014, Arequipa’s picanterías were recognized as National Cultural Heritage, in honor of their importance as guardians of the culinary legacy of southern Peru.
Where to try them? At iconic establishments like La Nueva Palomino, La Lucila, La Benita, or Laurita Cau Cau.
Average price: From S/7 to S/40 per dish.
2. The Wititi Dance: Living Heritage of the Colca
The Wititi dance is a cultural expression that is part of the soul of the Colca Valley. In 2015, it was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, recognizing its historical and artistic value.
This traditional dance represents the union between the Collagua and Cabana ethnic groups, ancient cultures that populated the valley before the arrival of the Incas. The dance symbolizes courtship and romantic conquest. Its name comes from the main character: the wititi, a young man who disguises himself with superimposed skirts to hide his identity and declare his love to his partner through dance.
The colorful costumes, the music of drums and quenas (Andean flutes), and the contagious energy of the dance make it an unmissable spectacle.
Where to see it? During the festivities of towns like Chivay, Yanque, Sibayo, or Tapay in the Colca Valley.
Cost: Free during local celebrations.
3. The Pilgrimage of the Virgen de Chapi: Faith and Devotion in the Desert
The festivity of the Virgen de Chapi is one of the most multitudinous religious manifestations in southern Peru. Every May 1st, over 200,000 pilgrims walk for hours or even days to reach her sanctuary located in the Chapi desert, in the Polobaya district, over 90 kilometers (approx. 56 miles) from the city of Arequipa.
This tradition has its origins in the 17th century when the image of the Virgen Candelaria (Candlemas Virgin) was placed in this spot. Over time, miracles began to be attributed to her presence, turning her into one of the most venerated Marian advocations in Peru.
The journey is accompanied by hymns, prayers, popular fairs, and liturgical acts that strengthen the sense of community among the faithful.
Where does it take place? At the Sanctuary of Chapi, Polobaya district.
Cost: Free entry for all visitors.
4. Sillar Constructions: White Architecture Sculpted in Lava
One of the most distinctive characteristics of Arequipa is its architecture made with sillar, a white volcanic stone originating from the Chachani, Misti, and Pichu Pichu volcanoes. This stone, light and resistant, has been used since the colonial era in the construction of churches, mansions, bridges, and plazas.
Arequipa’s Historic Center, declared a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO in the year 2000, is a perfect example of this architecture. Places like the Cathedral, the Church of La Compañía (the Society of Jesus), the Santa Catalina Monastery, and the San Lázaro neighborhood are true masterpieces carved in sillar.
An excellent way to explore this tradition is through the Sillar Route, a guided tour of the Añashuayco, Culebrillas, and other quarries, where you can see the artisanal work of stonecutters and sculptors.
Where to see it? In the Historic Center of Arequipa and the Añashuayco quarries (13 km / approx. 8 miles from the center).
Cost: Visit to the historic center is free. “Ruta del Sillar” tour from S/40.
5. The Procession of Unburied Bones: A Tradition That Honors Forgotten Souls
One of the most unique and lesser-known traditions in Peru is the procession of unburied bones, also called the Feast of Souls, celebrated in the Cayma district. This ancestral custom consists of collecting the skeletal remains of people who did not receive Christian burial and carrying them in procession to bury them in the local cemetery.
The tradition is over 200 years old and its origins date back to the colonial era. The protagonist of the ceremony is the skeleton of San Miguel de Cayma, a figure with glass eyes, a green hat, and a scythe, representing death and guiding the path of souls.
This celebration seeks to give spiritual rest to forgotten deceased and is a sample of the syncretism between Andean popular religiosity and Christianity.
Where does it take place? In the Cayma district, 7.5 km (approx. 4.7 miles) from the Plaza de Armas of Arequipa.
Cost: Free. Activity open to the public.
Arequipa: A Land Where Traditions Remain Alive
Arequipa not only dazzles with its volcanoes, architecture, and gastronomy, but it also proudly preserves a set of unique traditions that reflect its deep and diverse identity. Whether through the flavor of a picantería, the music of the wititi, the devotion of a pilgrimage, the art of sillar, or the mystery of a procession of souls, Arequipa invites all travelers to connect with its history and its people.
If you are looking for a destination where culture is not just a memory but an experience lived day by day, then Arequipa should be at the top of your list.
