Arequipa Warnings Or Dangers Tips by besbel Top 5 Page for this destination

Although Arequipa is not that high above sea level (the city is 2335 meters a.s.l) comparing with other places like Cusco and Puno, some tourists would feel the "height illness" (more altitude, less oxygen). If you feel your head like spinning round, you get easily tired, breathless with palpitations, and (just in extreme cases) throwing up with fever, you've got the "soroche".
To prevent it, just after arriving to Arequipa drink a cup of coca tea (all hotels and hostels serves them), do things calmly and have light meals at least in the first two days. If you do some hiking-trekking-adventure activity that implies any type of fast ascend, please take with you some lemon candy or, better, "cocamelos" (candy made with coca leaves). And, finally, if you get the low or moderated soroche, just REST!! and drink your coca tea. For extreme cases, go to the doctor.