REDVIAJEROS – Save up to 20% on your first trip

Every August 15, the “White City” of Arequipa celebrates its Spanish foundation with one of the biggest festivals in southern Peru. For weeks, the city comes alive with parades, concerts, food fairs, and cultural events — the perfect excuse to travel.

Book your bus trip with redBus and apply the code REDVIAJEROS to get up to 20% off your first trip. (Terms and conditions apply.)

REDVIAJEROS – Save up to 20% on your first trip

Every August 15, the “White City” of Arequipa celebrates its Spanish foundation with one of the biggest festivals in southern Peru. For weeks, the city comes alive with parades, concerts, food fairs, and cultural events — the perfect excuse to travel.

Book your bus trip with redBus and apply the code REDVIAJEROS to get up to 20% off your first trip. (Terms and conditions apply.)

This civic holiday commemorates the Spanish foundation of Arequipa on August 15, 1540. The celebration honors the city’s culture, history, architecture, and rich traditions. Locals proudly showcase Arequipa’s unique identity through music, food, and street festivals.

This civic holiday commemorates the Spanish foundation of Arequipa on August 15, 1540. The celebration honors the city’s culture, history, architecture, and rich traditions. Locals proudly showcase Arequipa’s unique identity through music, food, and street festivals.

Although the main date is August 15, the festivities start at the beginning of the month and last for several weeks. It’s a peak travel season, so it's best to book your bus and hotel in advance.

Although the main date is August 15, the festivities start at the beginning of the month and last for several weeks. It’s a peak travel season, so it's best to book your bus and hotel in advance.

You can travel to Arequipa by bus from Lima, Cusco, Puno, Ica, Tacna, Nazca, Moquegua, and other cities. Companies like Transportes Cromotex, Moquegua Turismo, Wari Palomino, Turismo Mer, and more offer frequent service to the city. All are available on redBus.pe and through the app.

You can travel to Arequipa by bus from Lima, Cusco, Puno, Ica, Tacna, Nazca, Moquegua, and other cities. Companies like Transportes Cromotex, Moquegua Turismo, Wari Palomino, Turismo Mer, and more offer frequent service to the city. All are available on redBus.pe and through the app.

• Friendship Parade (Corso de la Amistad):

This is the main event, featuring dancers, floats, marching bands, and colorful costumes parading through the city center.

• Food festivals and local cuisine:

Try traditional Arequipeño dishes like rocoto relleno, chupe de camarones, adobo, and solterito at local fairs and picanterías.

• Live concerts and public performances:

Enjoy free music shows ranging from traditional to rock, folklore, and Andean fusion in the main plazas and cultural venues.

• Cultural contests and exhibitions:

Photography, poetry, painting, and book fairs celebrate the creativity of local artists.

• Sightseeing and day trips:

Visit Santa Catalina Monastery, the Yanahuara and Sachaca viewpoints, the Misti volcano, and museums that offer discounts during the holiday.

• Friendship Parade (Corso de la Amistad):

This is the main event, featuring dancers, floats, marching bands, and colorful costumes parading through the city center.

• Food festivals and local cuisine:

Try traditional Arequipeño dishes like rocoto relleno, chupe de camarones, adobo, and solterito at local fairs and picanterías.

• Live concerts and public performances:

Enjoy free music shows ranging from traditional to rock, folklore, and Andean fusion in the main plazas and cultural venues.

• Cultural contests and exhibitions:

Photography, poetry, painting, and book fairs celebrate the creativity of local artists.

• Sightseeing and day trips:

Visit Santa Catalina Monastery, the Yanahuara and Sachaca viewpoints, the Misti volcano, and museums that offer discounts during the holiday.

🚌 Buy your tickets early — August is high season.
📲 Use the code REDVIAJEROS to save on your first trip.
🧴 Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and warm clothing for the evenings.
📸 Bring a camera or phone with extra battery.
🕐 Arrive early to get a good spot for the main events.

🚌 Buy your tickets early — August is high season.
📲 Use the code REDVIAJEROS to save on your first trip.
🧴 Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and warm clothing for the evenings.
📸 Bring a camera or phone with extra battery.
🕐 Arrive early to get a good spot for the main events.