Exploring Arequipa, Peru: A Stone's Throw From Bolivia

Arequipa, Peru, is a city known for its delicious cuisine, colonial charm, and white volcanic stone buildings. It is located in the south-west of Peru, around 650km from the country's capital, Lima. The city is surrounded by impressive snowy mountains and volcanoes, including Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu, and is close to Colca Canyon, the second deepest canyon in the world. Arequipa is a popular tourist destination, known as the White City due to the colour of its buildings, and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In terms of its proximity to Bolivia, Arequipa is located in the south-east of Peru, bordering the country to the south-east. Bolivia shares a border with Peru to the north-west, and there are several land border crossings between the two countries. The closest border crossing to Arequipa is in the city of Puno, Peru, which is around 258km away. From Puno, there are several land and water routes into Bolivia, including via Lake Titicaca.

Travel options from Arequipa to Bolivia

The distance between Arequipa, Peru, and Bolivia is approximately 699.38 km in a straight line. Here are some travel options for the journey from Arequipa to Bolivia:

By Bus

The only way to get from Arequipa to Copacabana, Bolivia, is by bus. The distance between the two places is 165 miles, or 264 kilometres, and the journey takes approximately 10 hours and 30 minutes. There are five departures a day, or 35 per week, with two travel classes: VIP and Sleeping. Tickets can be purchased from Bookaway.com.

You can also take a bus from Arequipa to La Paz, Bolivia. This route takes approximately three days and 19 hours.

By Plane

The distance between the airports of Arequipa (CUZ) and Bolivia (VVI) is 837.98 km, and the flight time is approximately 1 hour and 29 minutes. Alternatively, the distance between the airports of Arequipa (CUZ) and Santa Cruz, Bolivia (VVI) is 905.01 km, and the flight time is approximately 1 hour and 33 minutes.

By Car

The road distance from Barranquilla, Colombia, to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, is 3,723.1 miles. The drive takes approximately three days and 13 hours.

Border crossings between Peru and Bolivia

Arequipa is a city in Peru, and the capital of the eponymous province and department. It is the seat of the Constitutional Court of Peru and often dubbed the "legal capital of Peru". It is the second most populated city in Peru, after the capital Lima.

There are three land border crossings between Peru and Bolivia, and one by water. All of these crossings use Puno, Peru, as the principal transit point.

The two major terrestrial passages are on the southwest shore of Lake Titicaca: Desaguadero, which is the most direct route to La Paz; and Yunguyo, closest to Copacabana. The third crossing is along the northwest shore, from Tilali, Peru, to Puerto Acosta, Bolivia.

The water crossing involves crossing Lake Titicaca by hydrofoil boat.

The border checkpoints are a little distance from the border. If you are travelling from Bolivia to Peru, you will arrive at the Bolivian checkpoint with the bus. There, you will get off in a group, wait in the International line and get an exit stamp. Next, you will cross the border and arrive at the Peruvian checkpoint and get your entry stamp.

One of the best ways to avoid any problems or issues is to know the best spots to cross the border. There are two main terrestrial passages, one at Copacabana and one at Desaguadero. If you want to avoid major lines and issues, your best option is Copacabana. Desaguadero is a much more direct route to La Paz but that also makes it busier and more hectic than the Copacabana crossing.

It is important to have all the necessary documents ready before getting to the border crossing. It can be a very stressful time if you do not have your documents in order.

Make sure not to overstay your legal time in the country as this is a long and drawn-out process. For every day overstayed, you must pay ~2 US dollars. This can bring some extra trouble as some border officials might look for a bribe. Usually, you will be able to stay for 90 days. If they give you less, ask for 90.

Arequipa's airport

Arequipa is a city in Peru, and the capital of the Arequipa Region. It is the second most populated city in Peru, after the capital Lima. The city is located at an elevation of 2,328 metres (7,638 ft) above sea level, in a valley surrounded by high-peaked mountains. Arequipa is within easy reach of Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest canyons.

The airport is named after Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón, an early Peruvian aviator famous for crossing the Andes Mountains from Mendoza, Argentina, to Santiago, Chile, in 1932. He was later killed in a plane crash during the Colombia-Peru War.

The airport is currently operated by the consortium "Aeropuertos Andinos", who have reshuffled and modernised the existing facilities. In 2013, the consortium carried out work including the installation of two boarding jetbridges and the expansion of the main hall. The airport currently handles domestic flights from Cusco and Lima, along with Guayaquil and Cartagena via Lima. It is a secondary base for the airline JetSmart Perú.

In 2023, Aeropuertos Andinos del Perú (AAP) announced another expansion and modernisation of the airport, with a planned investment of $26 million. The new expanded terminal is set to have a capacity of 2 million passengers every year, and will allow access to other countries including Argentina, Bolivia and Chile.

Arequipa's bus services

Arequipa is the second-largest city in Peru, with a rich cultural heritage and beautiful landscapes. The city is a popular tourist destination, known for its white volcanic stone buildings, and is a gateway to the Colca Canyon, the second deepest canyon in the world.

Arequipa has two major bus stations, Terminal Terrestre and Terminal Terrapuerto, located 2.5 miles from the Plaza de Armas. For long-distance travel between Arequipa and other cities in Peru and Bolivia, it is recommended to use non-stop overnight routes offered by companies such as Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, or Exclusiva.

When travelling by bus from Arequipa to La Paz, Bolivia, there are a few options available:

Direct Bus Services:

There are no direct bus services between Arequipa and La Paz. However, there are direct bus services from Arequipa to Puno, a city located about 292 km from Arequipa. The trip from Arequipa to Puno takes around 6 hours, and there are various bus companies offering this route, including 4M Express. From Puno, you can then take a bus to La Paz, which takes approximately another 6 hours. The entire journey from Arequipa to La Paz will take around 12 hours.

Tourist Bus Services:

Bolivia Hop offers a tourist bus service from Arequipa to La Paz, which takes about two days and includes multiple stops along the way. The journey begins in Arequipa and makes stops in Lagunillas, Juliaca, Puno, and Copacabana before arriving in La Paz. Bolivia Hop provides a personalised service with guides and assistance with border crossing paperwork. This option is ideal for those who want to explore the attractions along the way and is a more flexible alternative to the direct bus services.

Other Options:

It is also possible to travel from Arequipa to La Paz by plane or car. Arequipa's Rodriguez Ballon International Airport offers regular flights to various destinations, and the journey by car will take approximately 10 hours, passing through beautiful landscapes and offering a more scenic route.

Arequipa's train services

Arequipa is a city in Peru and the capital of the eponymous province and department. It is the second most populated city in Peru, with a population of 1,296,278 as of 2017. The city is served by the Rodríguez Ballón International Airport, which offers regular flights to Peruvian destinations such as Lima, Cuzco, Tacna, and Juliaca, as well as international destinations including Arica, Iquique, Antofagasta, Santiago de Chile, and Buenos Aires.

Arequipa is also connected to other cities by rail and road networks. The Southern Railroad, built in 1871, connects Arequipa with the port city of Mollendo, as well as Cuzco and Juliaca. The city's railway system consists of the lines Cusco-Puno-Arequipa and Arequipa-Mollendo, facilitating communication between the coast and the mountains. The Andean Explorer train, operated by PeruRail, offers a luxurious journey through the Peruvian Andes, connecting Cusco, Lake Titicaca in Puno, and Arequipa. This train features an observatory car, a dining car, and a bar car, with panoramic windows offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

In addition to the railway system, Arequipa's urban road network has a radiocentric structure with four main avenues: Avenida Ejército, Avenida Jesus, Avenida Alcides Carrion, and Avenida Parra. These avenues connect the intermediate and peripheral areas to the city centre. Arequipa is also connected to coastal cities by a road that passes through the district of Uchumayo, and to other cities in the southern highlands, such as Puno and Cuzco, via a road through the district of Yura.

Frequently asked questions