Tour & Activity Scams in Arequipa, Peru
Unlicensed guides, fake tickets, bait-and-switch excursions, and ticket scalping. Below are the tour & activities scams reported in Arequipa — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Valparaíso, Mendoza, and Salvador.
Last updated: April 4, 2026
2
Tour & Activities Scams
8
Total in Arequipa
How it works
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 it works
Individuals posing as official guides approach tourists outside the Santa Catalina Monastery entrance on Calle Santa Catalina offering private tours at rates above the monastery's own certified guide service. Some claim the monastery's audio guide is broken or insufficient and that only their private tour accesses certain areas. These individuals have no affiliation with the monastery.
See all scams in Arequipa
8 total warnings across all categories