Your stay — Hostal Cleofé
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The Property — Hostal Cleofé
The Hostal Cleofé occupies a converted colonial mansion three blocks from the Plaza de Armas, with cream-coloured volcanic sillar walls, a central courtyard full of potted plants, and a small bar off the lobby. It’s a straightforward, family-run place that feels solid and unpretentious — the sort of hotel where the receptionist remembers your name and the breakfast coffee is reliably strong. It suits independent travellers who want a clean, quiet base in the historic centre without paying for extras they won’t use.
Chronicles of Arequipa
Arequipa was founded in 1540 by Spanish conquistador Garcí Manuel de Carbajal on the banks of the Chili River, built largely from white volcanic sillar stone that gives the historic centre its distinctive glow. The city became a wealthy colonial hub thanks to its position on the trade route between Lima and the silver mines of Potosí, and its baroque churches and mansions — notably the Santa Catalina Monastery — reflect that prosperity. After the War of the Pacific and a series of earthquakes, Arequipa rebuilt in the same stone, earning UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000 for its blend of European and indigenous architecture. Today it’s Peru’s second-largest city and a cultural counterweight to Lima, known for its fiercely independent character, its picanterías serving rocoto relleno, and as the gateway to Colca Canyon.
Best Time to Visit
Full Arequipa guide →Best months
May to August. These are the driest months, with clear skies and daytime highs around 22°C, ideal for walking the historic centre and day trips to Colca Canyon. Crowds are moderate — busy but not overwhelming.
Peak / festival surge
June and July. The dry season coincides with the Inti Raymi festival (late June) and Peruvian winter school holidays. Hotel prices can rise 20–30%. The main draw is reliable weather for trekking and the Feast of the Virgin of Carmen (mid-July) in nearby Paucartambo.
Budget shoulder season
September to November. Skies become partly cloudy, but rain is still infrequent. You’ll find 10–20% lower room rates, fewer tourists, and mild days around 20°C.
Weather & packing
Arequipa sits at 2,335 m so ultraviolet levels are extreme — use SPF 50 on any exposed skin, even on overcast days. Day-to-night temperature swings of 12–15°C mean you need a fleece or light jacket for evenings, plus a sunhat and sunglasses for midday.
Live City Briefing — Arequipa
- The city completed a major pedestrianisation of Calle Mercaderes in early 2025, linking the Plaza de Armas to the San Camilo market with a car-free walkway; some access routes for taxis have changed.
- The new Museo del Pisco opened in a restored sillar mansion on Calle Ugarte in April 2026, offering tastings and historical exhibits on Peruvian pisco production — useful for a late-afternoon stop.
- Construction on the Arequipa–Cusco train line has caused periodic road closures on the route to Chivay (Colca Canyon access) since March; check with tour operators for the latest detour updates.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal Cleofé, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second or third floor facing the inner courtyard. These rooms are far enough from the street to avoid Pasaje Ripacha’s foot traffic and occasional vehicle noise, and the lift makes upper floors easy. The courtyard side is quieter than the street.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor, especially those facing the street. The lane is narrow and the entrance sees constant coming and going. First-floor rooms may also pick up noise from the reception and common area.
Best views
Rooms on the third floor facing the courtyard offer a view of the small planted area and neighbouring rooflines. Street-facing rooms look onto the lane and opposite buildings – nothing special, but you see local life.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest. The lift stops at all floors but traffic is minimal, and upper levels buffer street sound.
🔊 Noise notes
Pasaje Ripacha is a one-lane alley in the historic centre, so expect pedestrian chatter from early morning until late evening, plus occasional mototaxi engines. The lift is audible in adjacent rooms when in use.
Insider tips
1. Parking at Estacionamiento Ripacha costs 30 PEN per night – book a space in advance through the hotel reception; the lot fills quickly. 2. Check-in at 13:00; arrive early and leave your bags – the staff are helpful and the lobby is small but comfortable.
- 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 — Hostal Cleofé
Free wifi throughout, speed around 20 Mbps download; no login, no paid tiers
Small lift serves all 3 floors; no stairs-only sections
Free digital access to PressReader via lobby tablet; no physical papers
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop from 10:00 (free if room ready); late check-out until 12:00 (free), afterwards 50 PEN until 18:00
Free for same-day storage; overnight storage 20 PEN per bag
Step-free main entrance; lift to all floors; no wheelchair-accessible rooms
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Estacionamiento Ripacha (50 m away), 30 PEN per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10 PEN per person per night (mandatory tourist tax)
Deposit & card hold: 100% advance deposit required at booking; at check-in a 200 PEN incidental hold on credit card
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: San Francisco (505 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Lacomunidad (572 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: El Aposento Alto (795 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia de Santa Teresa (807 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Los Perales — 742 m · ~9 min walk
San Lázaro — 245 m · ~3 min walk
Mundo Alpaca — 203 m · ~3 min walk
Teatro Umbral — 831 m · ~10 min walk
Icombat Perú — 771 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Botica Mariangel — 287 m · ~4 min walk
El Super — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Estación de buses La Joya — 2.0 km · ~26 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use bank ATMs in the city centre for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaus at the airport or tourist areas as they give poor rates.
Major cards widely accepted in supermarkets, mid-range restaurants and hotels; small shops and market stalls usually cash-only.
Restaurants: 10% if service is good, no expectation for street food or taxis; hotel porters: 1–2 soles per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small black coffee from a local café or bakery: around 3–5 soles.
Menú del día (set lunch with soup, main and drink) at a bodega or small eatery: roughly 10–15 soles.
A main dish at a modest local restaurant: around 15–20 soles.
The Mercado San Camilo area and surrounding streets are packed with stalls selling anticuchos, salteñas and fresh juice for 3–8 soles.
Plaza Vea, Metro and Tottus are common budget supermarkets in the area.
The Polvos Azules market and the Calle Mercaderes pedestrian streets have affordable clothing, shoes and textiles.
City buses cost about 1.50 soles per ride; from the airport, take the local bus (route around 2 soles) into town rather than a taxi.
Eat at menú del día places for lunch rather than dinner. Drink tap water only if boiled or filtered – buy bottled water from supermarkets. Take buses instead of taxis during the day.
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 Hostal Cleofé
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk — pharmacy · Botica Mariangel — 287 m · ~4 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostal Cleofé?
Request a room on the second or third floor facing the inner courtyard. These rooms are far enough from the street to avoid Pasaje Ripacha’s foot traffic and occasional vehicle noise, and the lift makes upper floors easy. The courtyard side is quieter than the street.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal Cleofé?
Avoid rooms on the first floor, especially those facing the street. The lane is narrow and the entrance sees constant coming and going. First-floor rooms may also pick up noise from the reception and common area.
Is Hostal Cleofé noisy?
Pasaje Ripacha is a one-lane alley in the historic centre, so expect pedestrian chatter from early morning until late evening, plus occasional mototaxi engines. The lift is audible in adjacent rooms when in use.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal Cleofé?
Rooms on the third floor facing the courtyard offer a view of the small planted area and neighbouring rooflines. Street-facing rooms look onto the lane and opposite buildings – nothing special, but you see local life.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal Cleofé?
1. Parking at Estacionamiento Ripacha costs 30 PEN per night – book a space in advance through the hotel reception; the lot fills quickly. 2. Check-in at 13:00; arrive early and leave your bags – the staff are helpful and the lobby is small but comfortable.
What time is check-in at Hostal Cleofé?
Check-in at Hostal Cleofé is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal Cleofé have Wi-Fi?
Free wifi throughout, speed around 20 Mbps download; no login, no paid tiers
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal Cleofé?
10 PEN per person per night (mandatory tourist tax)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal Cleofé?
Menú del día (set lunch with soup, main and drink) at a bodega or small eatery: roughly 10–15 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal Cleofé?
City buses cost about 1.50 soles per ride; from the airport, take the local bus (route around 2 soles) into town rather than a taxi.
When is the best time to visit Arequipa?
May to August. These are the driest months, with clear skies and daytime highs around 22°C, ideal for walking the historic centre and day trips to Colca Canyon. Crowds are moderate — busy but not overwhelming.
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.