Your stay — Way Kap Hostel
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The Property — Way Kap Hostel
Way Kap Hostel is a clean, no-fuss budget base on Calle Puente, a block off Arequipa’s main square. The lobby feels like a communal hub for young travellers and digital nomads, with exposed stone walls and a small bar area where people swap trek plans for Colca Canyon. It’s not a design hotel, but it’s secure, sociable and located well for walking to the Santa Catalina Monastery and the central market. Top pick for solo backpackers and groups who want a reliable dorm or private room without paying more for frills.
Chronicles of Arequipa
Arequipa was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1540 on land wrested from indigenous communities, using the sillar volcanic stone that gives the city its pale, light-reflecting look. The historic centre is a Unesco World Heritage site, built in a baroque style known as the ‘Arequipeñan school’, which mixes Spanish geometry with Andean symbolism. For centuries the city was a trade and religious hub on the silver route from Potosí to Lima, and its fiercely independent identity still shows in its ‘Republic of Arequipa’ separatist slogans. Today the city is Peru’s second-largest, with a lively university scene and a food culture famous for rocoto relleno and chupe de camarones.
Best Time to Visit
Full Arequipa guide →Best months
April, May, September — clear skies, low chance of rain, daytime highs around 22°C, and fewer tourists than July or August.
Peak / festival surge
July (and to a lesser extent August) — winter school holidays in Peru and South America, plus the Día de la Independencia events in late July. Hotel prices can double. Expect full hostels and packed plazas.
Budget shoulder season
October to November and March — rains are minimal early in these months, crowds thin, and you can secure a dorm bed for around 25–30% less than July.
Weather & packing
Arequipa’s climate is high desert: intense UV exposure all day even in winter, then temperatures drop to 6°C overnight. Pack a fleece or light down jacket, plus a wide-brimmed hat and SPF 50+ sunblock — you’ll need both within the same 24 hours.
Live City Briefing — Arequipa
- The Plaza de Armas restoration project is ongoing; expect scaffolding on the cathedral’s north tower until late 2026. Access to the square remains open.
- A new direct bus service from Arequipa to Colca Canyon launched in June 2026, cutting travel time to 3.5 hours. Book at the terminal Terrestre.
- The city introduced a mandatory visitor registration fee (S/ 5) for foreigners staying overnight in the historic centre, payable at check-in as of July 2026.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Way Kap Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third floor or higher, facing the courtyard (if available) — these are farthest from street-level noise and have better natural light in Arequipa's thin air.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor, especially those near the reception or common areas — noise from late arrivals and the hostel's social spaces carries easily through the older building construction typical of a 3-star hostel.
Best views
Rooms at the rear or upper floors overlooking the courtyard or side street offer quieter views of Arequipa's rooftops and volcanoes, rather than the main road.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and above (assuming a 4-5 storey building; no lift data given, so stair access likely — pack light).
🔊 Noise notes
Arequipa's centre has cobbled streets and frequent traffic, plus roosters and church bells early morning. The hostel's address on a main thoroughfare means delivery trucks and combis from 5:30am.
Insider tips
Ask for a room away from the hostel's common kitchen or TV lounge if you want quiet after 10pm. Bring earplugs regardless — the city's thin walls amplify voices from the courtyard.
- 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 — Way Kap Hostel
Free WiFi in common areas and most rooms. Speed around 5-10 Mbps, sufficient for browsing and messaging. Login requires room number.
No lift. All rooms on first and second floors via stairs only.
No newspaper provided. A small communal bookshelf and tourist magazines in English/Spanish at reception.
Check-in from 13:00; early bag drop from 08:00 free. Check-out by 11:00; late check-out until 14:00 costs S/25 (weekday) / S/30 (weekend).
Free for same-day arrival/departure guests. Multi-day storage costs S/10 per day.
No step-free access. Ground floor entrance has two steps; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park at 'Estacionamiento San Francisco', Calle San Francisco 212, S/12 per night (covered, 24h security). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (included in price for foreign tourists; Peruvian nationals may pay 18% IVA separately)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking for non-refundable rates; refundable rates: first night charged on reservation. At check-in, a US$10 cash key deposit or credit card hold.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: San Francisco (213 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Basílica Catedral de Arequipa (281 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: San Agustín (448 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: El Aposento Alto (488 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centro Comercial Panorámico — 455 m · ~6 min walk
San Francisco — 214 m · ~3 min walk
Palacio Arzobispal — 171 m · ~2 min walk
Teatro Umbral — 124 m · ~2 min walk
Icombat Perú — 412 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Multired — 383 m · ~5 min walk
Mifarma — 144 m · ~2 min walk
El Super — 504 m · ~6 min walk
Estación de buses La Joya — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs from major banks (BCP, BBVA, Interbank) in the city centre for the best rates; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchanges — they give poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets; Amex less common; contactless payments growing but carry cash for small shops and market stalls.
Round up the bill or leave 10% in nicer restaurants; taxis often get small change (0.5–1 sol); hotel porters expect a few soles.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a bodega or local bakery: 2–3 soles.
Set lunch menu (menú) with soup, main, and drink: 10–15 soles.
Simple main course (e.g. lomo saltado or pollo a la brasa): 15–20 soles.
Head to the Mercado San Camilo for cheap ceviche, empanadas, and fresh juices; also stalls around Plaza de Armas in the evening.
Supermercados Metro and Plaza Vea are the common budget chains in Arequipa.
Flea markets and stalls in the city centre (e.g. around Calle Mercaderes) offer affordable basics and wool goods.
City buses cost 1.20 sol per ride; taxis within the centre are typically 5–10 soles (agree fare first). From the airport, take a colectivo or bus into town for about 5–8 soles, not a taxi.
Eat set lunch menus (menú) for the cheapest cooked meals; use ATMs in banks not on the street to avoid skimmers; drink tap water only if boiled/bottled — buy large bottles in supermarkets.
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 Way Kap Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Multired — 383 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Mifarma — 144 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 Way Kap Hostel?
Request a room on the third floor or higher, facing the courtyard (if available) — these are farthest from street-level noise and have better natural light in Arequipa's thin air.
Which rooms should I avoid at Way Kap Hostel?
Avoid rooms on the first floor, especially those near the reception or common areas — noise from late arrivals and the hostel's social spaces carries easily through the older building construction typical of a 3-star hostel.
Is Way Kap Hostel noisy?
Arequipa's centre has cobbled streets and frequent traffic, plus roosters and church bells early morning. The hostel's address on a main thoroughfare means delivery trucks and combis from 5:30am.
Which rooms have the best views at Way Kap Hostel?
Rooms at the rear or upper floors overlooking the courtyard or side street offer quieter views of Arequipa's rooftops and volcanoes, rather than the main road.
What are insider tips for staying at Way Kap Hostel?
Ask for a room away from the hostel's common kitchen or TV lounge if you want quiet after 10pm. Bring earplugs regardless — the city's thin walls amplify voices from the courtyard.
What time is check-in at Way Kap Hostel?
Check-in at Way Kap Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Way Kap Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in common areas and most rooms. Speed around 5-10 Mbps, sufficient for browsing and messaging. Login requires room number.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Way Kap Hostel?
None (included in price for foreign tourists; Peruvian nationals may pay 18% IVA separately)
Where can I eat cheaply near Way Kap Hostel?
Set lunch menu (menú) with soup, main, and drink: 10–15 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Way Kap Hostel?
City buses cost 1.20 sol per ride; taxis within the centre are typically 5–10 soles (agree fare first). From the airport, take a colectivo or bus into town for about 5–8 soles, not a taxi.
When is the best time to visit Arequipa?
April, May, September — clear skies, low chance of rain, daytime highs around 22°C, and fewer tourists than July or August.
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.