Is Arequipa Safe in March 2026?

Taxi drivers at Rodríguez Ballón International Airport aggressively target arriving tourists, quoting fares of three to four times the standard rate into Arequipa's historic centre. The 8km journey is one of the most reported scam points in the city. Some drivers claim to offer "official airport taxis" while operating without authorization and with no meter.

How to avoid: Use only the licensed taxi counter inside the terminal where fixed zone prices are posted and pre-paid tickets are issued. Alternatively, arrange airport pickup through your hotel. Never accept unsolicited driver approaches inside the baggage hall.

Unlicensed tour operators clustered near Plaza de Armas and the Miraflores district sell Colca Canyon two-day tours at prices well above licensed agencies, often omitting the mandatory Boleto Turístico de Colca entry fee, guide certification, and adequate equipment for the high-altitude canyon (3,200m+). Tourists discover the omissions only when they arrive at canyon checkpoints.

How to avoid: Book Colca Canyon tours exclusively through agencies certified by Peru's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR). Confirm the package explicitly includes the Boleto Turístico de Colca, a certified bilingual guide, and transport with adequate heating for cold canyon mornings. Compare three certified agencies before booking.

A person in plain clothes or partial police uniform approaches tourists near Plaza de Armas, claiming to investigate counterfeit currency or drug transactions and demanding to inspect wallets and passports. This is not a legitimate police procedure in Peru. The scammer uses the confusion to pocket cash or demand a bribe to avoid a fabricated fine.

How to avoid: Real Peruvian police wear full uniform and carry official ID. Never hand over your wallet or passport to someone who stops you on the street. Offer to walk together to the nearest police station (comisaría) — genuine officers have no problem with this and scammers always refuse.

Inside Mercado San Camilo, a busy covered market popular with tourists for fresh produce, cheeses, and local food stalls, pickpocket teams use deliberate collisions, spilled food, or loud arguments to distract visitors while a partner removes wallets or phones from bags and jacket pockets.

How to avoid: Carry only the cash you need for the day in a front pocket or money belt. Keep your phone in a zipped bag compartment. Be especially alert when someone bumps into you or creates a commotion nearby — it is almost always a distraction.

Arequipa's textile market and souvenir shops sell items labelled as genuine alpaca or baby alpaca wool — including sweaters, scarves, and blankets — that are actually acrylic blends or lower-grade sheep wool. Premium baby alpaca garments are sold at baby alpaca prices despite containing minimal or no alpaca fiber. Arequipa is Peru's wool capital, making it a high-volume market for this fraud.

How to avoid: Perform the burn test if possible: genuine alpaca singes like hair and produces ash, while acrylic melts and produces black smoke. Purchase alpaca textiles from the Fundo El Fierro artisan market or established stores on Calle Mercaderes that display fiber certification. Extremely low prices for claimed baby alpaca are a reliable fraud indicator.