Arequipa Local Custom Tips by acemj Top 5 Page for this destination

Another local specialty

For some this may be hard to swallow, but one of the local specialties in Peru is "cuy" or guinea pig. In Arequipa, it's cuy chactado, which is a deep friend version of our furry little friend. You can ask the chef to cut it up for you so that you don't have to look at the head and claws and everything, but what fun would that be?! Here I am giving my dinner a little kiss.

Local snack

Just across from La Compañía you'll find a couple good heladerias (ice cream shops). Be sure to try the Queso Helado (literally cheese ice cream), which is somewhat of a local delicacy. I'm not sure if there's actually cheese in this concoction or if it's just frozen milk with some sugar and cinnamon, but it sure tastes good.