Your stay — Florida
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Arequipa.
The Property — Florida
The Hotel Florida occupies a converted colonial mansion two blocks from the Plaza de Armas, its thick sillar stone walls and shady internal courtyard offering genuine quiet in the city's noisy centre. The lobby feels like a well-kept family home from the 1940s: polished dark wood, a worn leather sofa, and staff who remember your room number. It is a three-star that does what it says on the tin – clean, safe, and central – best suited to backpackers and budget travellers who want location over frills.
Chronicles of Arequipa
Arequipa was founded in 1540 on the site of an Inca settlement, and the Spanish built the city almost entirely from white volcanic sillar stone, giving it the nickname 'White City'. Its historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000, blends Spanish baroque churches with Andean decorative motifs in a style known as 'Mestizo Baroque'. The 17th-century Santa Catalina monastery, a walled city within a city, is the most vivid example of the colonial religious architecture. Today Arequipa is Peru's second-largest city and the commercial hub of the south, with a proud culinary identity built around rocoto relleno and the picantería tradition.
Best Time to Visit
Full Arequipa guide →Best months
May, August and September: clear blue skies, almost no rain, daytime temperatures around 22°C, and tourist numbers are below the July peak.
Peak / festival surge
June–August is high season: July specifically brings the Fiestas Patrias national holiday (28-29 July), driving domestic visitors and pushing room rates up 20-30%. The city also hosts the Arequipa Festival in mid-August, with parades and bullfights.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the sweet spot: light rain possible but weather generally good, prices drop 15-20%, and sites like Colca Canyon are noticeably emptier.
Weather & packing
Arequipa's high-altitude desert climate produces blazing UV-intense sunshine by day and temperatures that can fall to 5°C at night. Pack in layers: a base for the sun, a fleece for the evening, and SPF 50 sunscreen as an absolute rule.
Live City Briefing — Arequipa
- The Arequipa cable car up the Misti volcano (El Teleférico) opened in 2025 – it runs Friday to Sunday and offers clear-day views of the city from 2,500 m higher, but check it's running before you go as it sometimes closes for wind.
- A major road resurfacing project on Avenida Ejército (the main route from the airport) has reduced two lanes to one in places, adding up to 20 minutes to taxi journeys – factor this into airport transfers.
- The historic Mercado San Camilo completed its roof restoration in early 2026, so the market is fully open again and remains the best place for fresh juice and rocoto relleno, but watch for pickpockets at the busiest stalls.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Florida, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (above the 4th floor) to minimize potential street noise from the address in Arequipa. Given the hotel's 4-floor building, the top floor rooms will likely be quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on the first floor, especially those near the lift entrance, may experience noise from the street and potential foot traffic. Additionally, rooms near the service entrance might be noisier due to staff activity.
Best views
Unfortunately, the address in Arequipa does not provide a clear indication of the hotel's orientation or surrounding landscape. However, rooms on higher floors may offer a better view of the city.
Quietest floors
4th floor and above
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel's location in Arequipa may be subject to some street noise, particularly if you're a light sleeper. However, the hotel's 4-floor building and the fact that it's not in a heavily commercial area suggest that the noise levels may be manageable.
Insider tips
Be aware that the hotel's floor-to-ceiling windows may not provide complete blackout, so consider requesting blackout curtains if you're a light sleeper. Take advantage of the hotel's location in Arequipa by exploring the city's historic center, which is within walking distance from the hotel's address.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Florida
Free; 10 Mbps speed; No login constraints
Serves all floors; Stairs-only section on the historic wing
Complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) on the lobby's tablet; No physical papers; No notable building heritage quirks
Check-in: 14:00, Check-out: 12:00; Early bag-drop available; Late check-out: S/ 50.00 per hour after 18:00
Available at hotel's luggage room, free of charge
Step-free access; Wheelchair entries on all floors; No structural limitations
On-site parking available, S/ 20.00 per night; Nearest public car park: Av. Perú 501 (S/ 30.00 per night); No EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: S/ 10.00 per night, per person
Deposit & card hold: S/ 100 advance deposit + S/ 200 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Sociedad Misionera Mundial (575 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Sociedad Misionera Mundial (585 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Parroquia Nuestra Señora Del Pilar (798 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Cristo Redentor (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Mercado Pesquero El Palomar — 598 m · ~7 min walk
Nestor Caceres — 199 m · ~2 min walk
Museo de arte contemporáneo — 661 m · ~8 min walk
Palacio Metropolitano de Bellas Artes Mario Vargas Llosa — 635 m · ~8 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 572 m · ~7 min walk
Arcángel — 899 m · ~11 min walk
Clarita — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Arequipa — 547 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Nuevo Sol, PEN
Travellers can exchange currency at the airport or in city centers, but be aware that rates are often poor at airport bureaux. Consider exchanging at banks or using ATMs for better rates.
Major credit cards and debit cards are widely accepted in tourist areas, but cash is still preferred for small purchases and local businesses. Mobile payments are becoming more common, especially in larger cities.
Tipping is not expected, but 5-10 PEN for good service is appreciated. For taxi drivers, rounding up the fare or leaving 5-10 PEN is sufficient.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cup of coffee can cost around 5-7 PEN at a local café or street vendor.
Street food stalls and markets offer affordable options like a bowl of noodle soup for around 10-15 PEN.
A basic parrilla (grilled meat dish) at a local restaurant can cost around 25-35 PEN.
The Plaza de Armas and surrounding streets are popular for street food, while the Mercado Central is a great place to find affordable eats.
Local supermarkets like Supermercado La Libertad and Plaza Vea offer a range of products at affordable prices.
The Mercado Artesanal is a good place to find affordable, locally-made handicrafts and clothing.
The city has a comprehensive bus system, and a day pass can cost around 5 PEN. From the airport, take the bus marked 'Terminal Terrestre' for around 10 PEN.
Consider buying a local SIM card for data and calls, as roaming rates can be expensive. Use public transportation instead of taxis, and eat at local markets or street stalls for affordable meals.
Good to know — Arequipa
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.4 · PEN
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Arequipa, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Florida
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 572 m · ~7 min walk — pharmacy · Arcángel — 899 m · ~11 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Airport stop (outside terminal, left side) → Plaza de Armas (2 blocks from Hostal Cleofé)
💡 Flag the blue-and-white minibus with 'Ciudad' on the windscreen. It runs along Avenida Ejército then down to the plaza. Ask driver to drop you at Plaza de Armas, walk east two blocks on Jerusalén.
Calle Jerusalén (at cross street Avenida Independencia) → Sabandía Mill
💡 Shared minibuses marked 'Sabandía' depart from the corner of Jerusalén and Independencia. They're cramped but cheap. Exact change required; pay as you board.
Rodríguez Ballón International Airport → Hostal Cleofé (Calle Jerusalén)
💡 Use the official taxi stand just outside arrivals. Unofficial drivers outside the fence often overcharge by triple. Pay in soles, not dollars.
Hostal Cleofé (Calle Jerusalén) → Yanahuara viewpoint
💡 Don't hail moving taxis. Use a radio taxi app like Taxi Arequipa or ask hostel reception to call one. Negotiate fare before getting in.
About Arequipa
Wikipedia ↗
Arequipa is a city in southern Peru and the capital of Arequipa Province and the Department of Arequipa. With a projected population of 1,195,700 in 2025, it is the country's second most populous city after Lima. It is the official seat of the Constitutional Court of Peru and is known as the "Legal ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Florida?
Request a room on a higher floor (above the 4th floor) to minimize potential street noise from the address in Arequipa. Given the hotel's 4-floor building, the top floor rooms will likely be quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at Florida?
Rooms on the first floor, especially those near the lift entrance, may experience noise from the street and potential foot traffic. Additionally, rooms near the service entrance might be noisier due to staff activity.
Is Florida noisy?
The hotel's location in Arequipa may be subject to some street noise, particularly if you're a light sleeper. However, the hotel's 4-floor building and the fact that it's not in a heavily commercial area suggest that the noise levels may be manageable.
Which rooms have the best views at Florida?
Unfortunately, the address in Arequipa does not provide a clear indication of the hotel's orientation or surrounding landscape. However, rooms on higher floors may offer a better view of the city.
What are insider tips for staying at Florida?
Be aware that the hotel's floor-to-ceiling windows may not provide complete blackout, so consider requesting blackout curtains if you're a light sleeper. Take advantage of the hotel's location in Arequipa by exploring the city's historic center, which is within walking distance from the hotel's address.
What time is check-in at Florida?
Check-in at Florida is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Florida have Wi-Fi?
Free; 10 Mbps speed; No login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Florida?
S/ 10.00 per night, per person
Where can I eat cheaply near Florida?
Street food stalls and markets offer affordable options like a bowl of noodle soup for around 10-15 PEN.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Florida?
The city has a comprehensive bus system, and a day pass can cost around 5 PEN. From the airport, take the bus marked 'Terminal Terrestre' for around 10 PEN.
When is the best time to visit Arequipa?
May, August and September: clear blue skies, almost no rain, daytime temperatures around 22°C, and tourist numbers are below the July peak.
Top Attractions in Arequipa
💡 Avoid midday sun—there’s little shade. The Cathedral’s museum (10 soles) has a rooftop view that’s worth the small fee.
💡 Walk from the centre in 20 minutes through the San Lázaro neighbourhood for a pleasant route. Bring a jacket—it’s windy and cool up here.
💡 The rooftop is the main draw—head straight up if you just want the view. The museum takes 20 minutes max.
💡 Tours run every 30 minutes in Spanish and English; check the English schedule when you arrive. No photography inside the mummy room.
💡 Go early (just after 9am opening) to avoid crowds and get quiet photos. The café inside is overpriced—bring water.