Analysis Guides

Arequipa, Peru Explained 2026

By Ana Clara Santos · November 1, 2026 · 9 min read

PERU · CITY GUIDE

Key Facts

The city Arequipa is the main city of southern Peru, with a stone-built old centre around the Plaza de Armas and peaks behind it.
Region leader Governor Rohel Sánchez Sánchez leads the regional government until 1 January 2027; he was in office on 29 October 2026.
Vote Peruvians voted for regional and local authorities on Sunday 4 October 2026; any regional runoff is set for Sunday 6 December 2026.
Big works A road tunnel project of more than S/ 217 million (about US$63 million) is under way on the Arequipa–La Joya highway.
Power Index Peru ranks 5th of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 54.7 points (October 2026 edition).

This Arequipa city guide explains who runs the city, a major hub of southern Peru, and what the October 2026 election means. It also covers what US readers should know before visiting or investing.

Free daily brief — no card needed

Get every Analysis story in one morning email

We build you a personalized brief around the topics you follow — free for 7 days. Love it? Your first month after that is US$1.

Yes, email me my free daily brief — I can unsubscribe any time.

Every figure carries its date, and money is converted at 3.46 soles to the dollar.

The cathedral of Arequipa behind palm trees and a fountain on the Plaza de Armas, with distant mountain peaks in the distance — The Plaza de Armas, the main square of Arequipa, with its cathedral and mountain peaks behind (file photo). (Photo: Sucram Yef, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

RT

Ask Rio Times

17 years of Latin America reporting, on demand.

Open the full Ask Rio Times →

Arequipa at a Glance

Arequipa is the capital of the Arequipa region in southern Peru, and this Arequipa city guide starts with its centre. The old town is built around the Plaza de Armas, the main square, which is framed by a cathedral and stone arcades.

The regional government is the elected authority for the whole Arequipa region, which stretches from the Andes to the Pacific coast. The municipality runs the city itself.

The Rio Times Peru hub gathers all our Peru coverage, and our guide to Peru’s politics explains who holds power. The capital is covered in the Lima city guide, a useful comparison for this Arequipa city guide.

The Old Centre and Daily Life

The Plaza de Armas is the natural first stop, with palms, benches and a fountain in front of the cathedral. Locals use the same square for walks and meetings.

The cathedral and the surrounding arcades are built from pale stone, which gives the centre its distinct look. On clear days, mountain peaks rise behind the rooftops.

Getting Around

The centre is compact and easy to cover on foot, and the main square is the natural starting point. Longer trips to the districts and the countryside usually need a taxi, a bus or a tour.

The regional government says its works on the Arequipa–La Joya highway aim to ease traffic and shorten travel times. Those works are described in the section on big projects below.

Arequipa cathedral tower and the arched portal beside the Plaza de Armas under a deep blue sky, with people crossing the square — The cathedral and the arcades around the Plaza de Armas, the heart of old Arequipa (file photo). (Photo: Draceane, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Who Governs Arequipa

Two different authorities work in the city. Governor Rohel Sánchez Sánchez heads the regional government, and the provincial mayor, Ruccy Oscco Polar, heads the municipality of Arequipa.

The regional government’s note of 29 October 2026 shows Sánchez in office, speaking at a national congress of regional councillors in Arequipa. Its note of 19 October 2026 shows the mayor signing a cooperation agreement with him.

Norma Ortega Valdivia chairs the Regional Council of Arequipa, the elected body that oversees the governor. She chaired the congress mentioned above, according to the same note of 29 October 2026.

The governor’s current term runs from 2023 to 2026, as the title of his 29 October 2026 presentation states. The people chosen on 4 October 2026 take office on 1 January 2027, after the electoral courts proclaim the results.

The October 2026 Election and the December Runoff

Peru held its Regional and Municipal Elections on Sunday 4 October 2026, with 26.3 million eligible voters, says the electoral office ONPE. Votes were cast at 89,935 polling tables across the country.

The Jurado Nacional de Elecciones (JNE), Peru’s top electoral court, then set the rules for a second round. On 10 October 2026 it fixed Sunday 6 December 2026 for a Second Regional Election.

That runoff applies only in regions where no ticket won at least 30% of the valid votes. Whether Arequipa is one of those regions is not yet confirmed.

The JNE had first fixed 29 November 2026 and moved the date after ONPE asked for a change. The court said the move matches election logistics with legal certainty.

When the New Authorities Take Over

On 28 October 2026 the special electoral boards began announcing the official results of the 4 October vote, district by district. The JNE expects the proclamations to finish around the second week of November 2026.

Until then, the governor and mayor named above remain in charge. The JNE website lists the final names once each proclamation is made.

Palm trees and benches on the Plaza de Armas of Arequipa beside the grey stone cathedral and its bell tower — Benches and palms on the Plaza de Armas, where locals and visitors meet in the city centre (file photo). (Photo: Jhonatan David Reategui Sifuentes, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Roads, Tunnels, Port and Water Projects

The regional government is building twin road tunnels on the Arequipa–La Joya highway, worth over S/ 217 million (about US$63 million). Each tunnel will be about 700 metres long, with five lanes in total.

As of 25 October 2026 the work was at the north portal, with 48 workers and 20 machines and vehicles on site. Three lanes will lead into Arequipa and two out toward La Joya.

The regional government is also pushing the Megapuerto de las Américas, a planned deep-sea port at Corío on the Arequipa coast. On 22 October 2026 it published remarks by an MSC executive director, who said green ammonia fuel could attract big shipping lines.

The remarks came from a meeting in Lima on 12 October 2026, organised by ProInversión, the national investment promotion agency. After approval of the port’s master plan, the cost is estimated at about US$844 million over three stages.

Water, Farms and the Majes Siguas Project

Majes Siguas is a large irrigation and farming project in the Arequipa region. The governor said on 29 October 2026 that a government-to-government agreement with Japan covers its “puesta a punto”, meaning its upgrading.

A second agreement, with France, covers a new Goyeneche Hospital, and the two together are worth S/ 2,747 million (about US$794 million). On 19 October 2026 the region, the municipality and the housing ministry also agreed to plan a new town, Nueva Ciudad Siguas.

In the Majes district of Caylloma province, vineyards are among the local crops. On 22 October 2026 the region handed a tractor to a vine-growing company there, through a competitive grant fund for farm equipment.

The bell tower of the cathedral of Arequipa against a clear blue sky, with visitors resting in the square below — A bell tower of the cathedral of Arequipa, built from pale stone (file photo). (Photo: Draceane, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Schools, Hospitals and Public Spending

The governor reported that the regional government had used 80% of its investment budget as of 27 October 2026. He said it had delivered 47 new schools and had 24 more under construction.

One example is the school Ludwig Van Beethoven in the Alto Selva Alegre district, which will serve about 1,800 pupils. On 30 October 2026 the S/ 64.6 million (about US$18.7 million) building was half finished, with its rough structure due in December.

On 24 October 2026 the region also handed over a secondary school in Majes, built for S/ 22.3 million (about US$6.4 million). It has 19 classrooms and is meant for about 4,200 pupils.

On 22 October 2026 the regional health office GERESA and the transport regulator SUTRAN agreed to spread measles-prevention messages at bus terminals. The campaign also promotes free vaccination for travellers crossing the south.

Safety and Emergency Services

Safety is a top concern for residents and visitors, so this Arequipa city guide looks at it closely. On 26 October 2026 the region gave the police 100 new pickup patrol cars, bought for S/ 18.14 million (about US$5.2 million).

Interior Minister César Astudillo attended the handover, as did national police commander Fredy López Mendoza. Rosa Machaca, a neighbourhood watch representative, said the cars answer a public demand.

On 14 October 2026 the region signed a S/ 92.9 million (about US$26.9 million) deal to modernise nine volunteer fire companies. The companies serve the provinces of Arequipa, Camaná, Caylloma and Islay, and the work should take 360 days.

Where Arequipa Fits in Peru

Arequipa sits in the south, far from the capital, and its regional government deals directly with national ministers and foreign partners. The Rio Times guide to who runs Peru’s economy explains the companies and sectors behind that weight.

For the wider country, read the guide to how many people live in Peru and who they are and the Peru power structure. Our Latin America Power Map places Peru in the region, and Peru and the United States covers the US view.

What It Means for US Readers

Visitors to southern Peru will find the old centre and Plaza de Armas the practical starting point of any Arequipa city guide. Check the US State Department’s travel advisory for Peru before booking.

For investors, the regional government’s works run through public-private schemes and long-term plans such as the Corío port. None of the figures here is a forecast, and the final terms sit with the government and the companies involved.

What Is Not Known

The winners of the governor and mayor races are not yet confirmed, because the proclamations are still under way. It is also not settled whether the governor race goes to the 6 December runoff.

Official crime figures for the city itself are not available here. The Corío port also still needs investors before building can start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the governor of Arequipa?

Rohel Sánchez Sánchez headed the regional government on 29 October 2026, according to its own news page. His term ends in 2026, and a successor takes office on 1 January 2027.

Who is the mayor of Arequipa?

Ruccy Oscco Polar was the provincial mayor on 19 October 2026, when she signed a cooperation agreement with the governor. The next mayor also takes office on 1 January 2027.

When is the Peru regional runoff?

The Second Regional Election is set for Sunday 6 December 2026. It applies only in regions where no ticket won at least 30% of valid votes on 4 October.

What is being built in Arequipa?

Twin highway tunnels on the Arequipa–La Joya road, worth over S/ 217 million (about US$63 million), plus new schools, a fire-service upgrade and plans for the Corío port.

Is Arequipa safe for visitors?

Authorities report spending on security, including 100 new patrol cars delivered on 26 October 2026. Visitors should still check the US State Department’s travel advisory for Peru before booking.

What is Obras por Impuestos?

It is a Peruvian scheme under which a private company pays for a public project and later deducts the cost from its taxes. Several Arequipa projects use it.

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief

Expat Guide to Peru

What The Rio Times publishes for foreigners who live in or move to Peru.

Start here

City guides

Lima, Cusco

Coming up in Peru

Understand Peru

All expat cities in Latin America and Africa

The Rio Times · Power Map

See who really holds power in Latin America

Click to open the Power Map →