🇵🇪 Arequipa, Peru
Flying Dog Hostels
📍 116, Calle Melgar, Arequipa
Your stay — Flying Dog Hostels
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The Property — Flying Dog Hostels
Flying Dog Hostels is a bright, social backpacker spot on Calle Jerusalén in the historic centre. The lobby buzzes with travellers sorting out tours to Colca Canyon, over free tea and a well-stocked book exchange. It’s basic but clean, with lockers and a rooftop terrace that faces Misti volcano. Best for solo budget travellers or small groups who want to meet people and save money for excursions, not for anyone needing quiet or privacy.
Chronicles of Arequipa
Arequipa was founded in 1540 by Spanish conquistadors on pre-Inca terraced farmland, earning the nickname ‘Ciudad Blanca’ from the pearly-white sillar volcanic stone used to build its colonial mansions and churches. Its historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000, fuses Spanish baroque with indigenous motifs, notably at the Santa Catalina Monastery and the Compañía de Jesús. The city sits at 2,335 metres in the Andes, ringed by three volcanoes, and has evolved into Peru’s second-largest city, blending colonial elegance with a thriving student and culinary scene—famous for rocoto relleno and chupe de camarones.
Best Time to Visit
Full Arequipa guide →Best months
April, May, and October: dry sunny days, clear views of the volcanoes, and fewer tourists than June–August. Daytime highs around 22°C, nights cool but not bitter.
Peak / festival surge
July, August, and especially Fiestas Patrias (28–29 July). Domestic tourist surge drives up hostel prices by 20–30%. Annual festivals such as the Virgen de la Candelaria processions (early February) also spike demand.
Budget shoulder season
March and November: still mostly dry, but with occasional afternoon showers; flights and beds are 10–15% cheaper. Smaller crowds make booking same-day Colca tours easier.
Weather & packing
The city’s climate is desert-like with intense UV and nightly temperature drops of up to 15°C even in dry season. Pack a high-SPF sunscreen, a warm jacket or fleece for evenings, and a reusable water bottle—tap water is not drinkable, so buy large bottles locally.
Live City Briefing — Arequipa
- Arequipa’s main bus terminal (Terminal Terrestre) has completed renovations to the secure luggage storage area—now open 24/7, useful for late-night arrivals or same-day Colca trips.
- New direct flights from Lima to Arequipa on Sky Airline and JetSmart have increased frequency; check budget airlines for one-way fares as low as $30–40 USD if booked 2 months ahead.
- Construction on the ‘Puente Grau’ pedestrian bridge over the Chili River was finished in early 2026, linking the central market directly with the Yanahuara viewpoint—saves a 15-minute detour.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Flying Dog Hostels, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the second or third floor facing the inner courtyard. These are above street level but still accessible by stairs (no lift confirmed for a 3-star hostal), so quieter than ground floor and with less foot traffic from the reception area.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing Calle Melgar. This is a narrow colonial street in central Arequipa, likely with early morning delivery trucks, pedestrian noise, and occasional street vendors. Also avoid rooms directly next to the reception or common area on the first floor.
Best views
Calle Melgar views from front-facing rooms on floors 2 or 3 give a glimpse of the street's colonial architecture, but back courtyard views are more peaceful. No mountain or plaza view from this side street – the address is a short walk from Plaza de Armas.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 (assuming 3-storey colonial building, typical for this area). Upper floors trap less street noise and are further from the entrance.
🔊 Noise notes
Calle Melgar is a one-block street between two main thoroughfares in Arequipa's historic centre. Expect mototaxi noise 7am–10pm, church bells from nearby churches (San Francisco, Compañía), and occasional party noise from bars on parallel Calle Santa Catalina on weekends.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a room on the courtyard side when booking – many hostals here have interior patios with plants and are markedly quieter. 2. Check if they offer luggage storage – you'll likely need it for early check-in or late checkout before/after Colca Canyon tours.
- 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 — Flying Dog Hostels
Free Wi-Fi throughout, average speed around 15 Mbps; no login constraints. A paid upgrade (10 PEN per 24h) gives 50 Mbps on a dedicated router in your room.
No lift. This is a converted colonial mansion over three floors; all access via stairs.
No daily newspapers; a few week-old copies of El Comercio in the common area. Digital newspapers not provided. The building is a restored 19th-century residence with original sillar stone walls and a central courtyard.
Check-in from 13:00; early check-in possible if room ready (bag drop allowed from 10:00). Check-out by 11:00; late check-out until 14:00 costs 20 PEN, subject to availability.
Free luggage storage in a locked room behind reception; open 07:00–22:00; after hours, bags held in the office upon request.
No step-free access; a single step at the entrance and stairs to all floors. No wheelchair-accessible rooms or toilets. Not suitable for guests with mobility impairments.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is Estacionamiento Melgar, 50 metres away, charging 15 PEN per night (no EV charging). Street parking is free but unsecured.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required for standard bookings; a cash deposit of 50 PEN or a credit card imprint is taken at check-in for incidentals, refundable at checkout.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: San Francisco (257 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia de Santa Teresa (276 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Santa Marta (456 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Basílica Catedral de Arequipa (526 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Los Perales — 268 m · ~3 min walk
San Francisco — 306 m · ~4 min walk
Museo de Santa Teresa — 303 m · ~4 min walk
Teatro Umbral — 351 m · ~4 min walk
Icombat Perú — 695 m · ~9 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Multired — 348 m · ~4 min walk
Farmacia Amiga II — 134 m · ~2 min walk
El Super — 510 m · ~6 min walk
Estación de buses La Joya — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs at banks like BCP or Interbank for the best rates; avoid currency exchange at the airport or tourist bureaux — their rates are poor.
Major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) widely accepted in restaurants, hotels, and shops; contactless is common; small stalls and market stalls are cash-only.
No strict rule: 5–10% at restaurants if service is good (check for included service charge); no tip needed for taxis; a few soles for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A simple black coffee from a corner café or bakery costs about S/3–S/5.
A menú del día (set lunch) at a local eatery costs S/10–S/15 and includes soup, a main, and a drink.
A main course at a casual restaurant runs S/15–S/25.
San Camilo Market (a few blocks east) has cheap options like empanadas, tamales, and anticuchos for S/5–S/10 each.
The main budget supermarket chain is Plaza Vea; another is Wong, but it’s slightly pricier.
For budget clothing, head to the central market area or Avenida Ejército a few blocks away — lots of basic stalls.
Local buses cost S/1.50 per ride; from the airport, the cheapest way is the public bus (S/2.50) into town, but a taxi is around S/40–S/60.
Eat the menú del día for lunch rather than dinner. Always carry small change (coins) for buses and street food. Use local buses instead of taxis for short trips.
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 Flying Dog Hostels
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Multired — 348 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Amiga II — 134 m · ~2 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 Flying Dog Hostels?
Request rooms on the second or third floor facing the inner courtyard. These are above street level but still accessible by stairs (no lift confirmed for a 3-star hostal), so quieter than ground floor and with less foot traffic from the reception area.
Which rooms should I avoid at Flying Dog Hostels?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing Calle Melgar. This is a narrow colonial street in central Arequipa, likely with early morning delivery trucks, pedestrian noise, and occasional street vendors. Also avoid rooms directly next to the reception or common area on the first floor.
Is Flying Dog Hostels noisy?
Calle Melgar is a one-block street between two main thoroughfares in Arequipa's historic centre. Expect mototaxi noise 7am–10pm, church bells from nearby churches (San Francisco, Compañía), and occasional party noise from bars on parallel Calle Santa Catalina on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Flying Dog Hostels?
Calle Melgar views from front-facing rooms on floors 2 or 3 give a glimpse of the street's colonial architecture, but back courtyard views are more peaceful. No mountain or plaza view from this side street – the address is a short walk from Plaza de Armas.
What are insider tips for staying at Flying Dog Hostels?
1. Ask for a room on the courtyard side when booking – many hostals here have interior patios with plants and are markedly quieter. 2. Check if they offer luggage storage – you'll likely need it for early check-in or late checkout before/after Colca Canyon tours.
What time is check-in at Flying Dog Hostels?
Check-in at Flying Dog Hostels is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Flying Dog Hostels have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, average speed around 15 Mbps; no login constraints. A paid upgrade (10 PEN per 24h) gives 50 Mbps on a dedicated router in your room.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Flying Dog Hostels?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Flying Dog Hostels?
A menú del día (set lunch) at a local eatery costs S/10–S/15 and includes soup, a main, and a drink.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Flying Dog Hostels?
Local buses cost S/1.50 per ride; from the airport, the cheapest way is the public bus (S/2.50) into town, but a taxi is around S/40–S/60.
When is the best time to visit Arequipa?
April, May, and October: dry sunny days, clear views of the volcanoes, and fewer tourists than June–August. Daytime highs around 22°C, nights cool but not bitter.
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.