Arequipa, Peru
What 90% of solo women don't know about staying safe in Arequipa.
Upscale residential area known for the volcano viewpoint and traditional picanterías. Very safe and quiet - good for daytime visits and traditional lunch, but you're away from the nightlife.
Yanahuara is an upscale area about 20 minutes on foot from Plaza de Armas. People come here for the viewpoint that looks out over Arequipa with the three volcanoes - Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu - behind it. The neighborhood feels more like a village with its own small plaza, cafes, and white colonial church. It's quieter and more residential than the centro histórico - tree-lined streets, maintained colonial houses. You see families walking around, couples taking photos at the mirador, locals in plaza cafes on weekends. It feels safe even after dark since it's affluent with decent street lighting and police around. La Nueva Palomino picantería gets crowds for traditional lunch, usually with live music 1-4pm. The viewpoint fills up at sunset when everyone wants volcano photos - touristy but not sketchy. Downside is you're removed from the action. You'll need to walk or taxi back to centro histórico for nightlife. But if you want volcano views, traditional food, and a quiet safe vibe, this works.
Daytime Safety
ExcellentNight Walking Safety
ExcellentHarassment Risk
LowPublic Transport Safety
GoodPickpocketing Risk
LowScam Risk
LowPolice Visibility
ExcellentEmergency Services
ExcellentEvening Venues
GoodSolo Dining
ExcellentDrug Activity
LowHomelessness Visibility
LowGetting By in English
GoodSome mistakes you only make once in Arequipa. But you shouldn't have to make them at all. This free checklist reveals the 5 safety pitfalls that catch solo women off guard — so you can avoid them before they happen.
"Felt safe walking here even as it got dark"
"Viewpoint was packed but I never felt uncomfortable"
"La Nueva Palomino was fine for eating alone at lunch"
"Quiet area - nice break from the tourist crowds"
"Took a taxi back to centro at night, felt too far to walk in the dark"
Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers
Residential area where locals actually live and work. Good for authentic food at local prices and seeing daily life, but no tourist infrastructure and almost no English. Safe but quiet, especially at night.
The historic center has the colonial architecture, museums, and most of the restaurants and cafes. Safe during the day with tourist police around, though pickpockets work the crowded areas. Lots of cafes where people sit with laptops, so you won't be the only one.
The traditional picantería district where people eat authentic Arequipeño food with live Creole music. Safe residential area good for daytime lunch, but far from tourist stuff and almost no English. Nothing happens here at night.
Help other women stay safe in Yanahuara
Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.