Arequipa Pub Crawl – Bar & Nightclub Tour

Nightlife starts beneath Arequipa’s cathedral. This $18 pub crawl gives you a simple way to meet people, sample several bars, and finish with access to the many rooms at Casona Forum. I like the central route and the welcome drink or cocktail at each bar, but the occasional guide no-show is a serious reason to confirm your plans before heading out.

The night begins at 9:00 p.m. at Kallpa Tours on Calle Campo Redondo, just off Arequipa’s historic center. I also like the first bar’s large terrace, only about 50 meters from the meeting point, with views over the Plaza de Armas. The main caution is that the group can reach up to 70 people, so this is a social party outing, not a quiet evening of small bars.

The tour earns a 4.8 rating from 49 reviews, with 96 percent of customers recommending it. Abraham receives especially warm praise for his friendly attitude and local knowledge, though the supplied feedback also includes two reports of nobody arriving for the tour. That problem appears uncommon, but it should not be ignored.

Key points about the Arequipa pub crawl

• Three bars before the nightclub: The first 3 hours and 30 minutes are given to a run of bars around the city center.
• Plaza de Armas terrace views: The opening bar is close to the meeting point and has a broad terrace looking toward Arequipa’s main square.
• A drink at every bar: Your ticket includes a welcome shot or cocktail at each bar visited.
• Six nightclub rooms: Casona Forum includes salsa, rock, lounge, general, VIP, and reggaeton rooms.
• A social group atmosphere: The maximum group size is 70, making this a good pick for solo visitors who want company.
• Flexible cancellation: You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:00 p.m. start, subject to the stated weather and minimum-group rules.

Why this $18 night can be useful in Arequipa

Arequipa is easy to explore by day. At night, the harder part is knowing where to go, how to move between places, and which doors will welcome a group of newcomers. This tour handles that basic problem for a low price.

For $18, you get a guide, a drink at each bar, and admission to the final nightclub. That is good value if you plan to visit several places anyway. The real saving is not only the drinks. You also avoid spending your first night guessing which bar has a terrace, which club has room, or how to find a welcoming crowd.

I see the tour as a social introduction rather than a polished nightlife package. You are paying for a group evening with a guide and a set route. It is a useful choice if you are traveling alone, visiting Arequipa briefly, or simply want company after a day of sightseeing.

The feedback gives the price a strong case. One solo visitor arrived alone and left having made a large group of new friends. Other comments point to drinking games, friendly guides, good music, and a lively night that lasted beyond the planned route. The tone is clearly party-first, so you should book it for company and energy, not for quiet conversation or carefully selected cocktails.

Meeting at Plaza de Armas and Kallpa Tours

The official meeting point is Kallpa Tours, at Calle Campo Redondo 103, B1, in Cercado, Arequipa. The tour starts at 9:00 p.m. and first spends about 10 minutes at the Plaza de Armas before moving into the bar route.

That short plaza stop helps the group gather and gives the guide a clear landmark to work with. Arequipa’s main square is also the natural center of the evening, so beginning there makes the route easy to understand. You are not being sent to an isolated part of town before the night begins.

The first bar is roughly 50 meters from the meeting point. This is a useful detail if you arrive early or worry about finding the group. Still, the no-show reports make it wise to arrive with your confirmation available and to pay close attention to the exact meeting address.

The guide is an important part of the experience. Abraham is praised for being attentive, friendly, and well informed about Peru. That local connection seems to help the group move through the evening with less friction. Since a named guide is not guaranteed in the tour details, I would treat Abraham’s presence as a positive possibility rather than a promise.

The first terrace and three-bar route

The bar portion lasts about 3 hours and 30 minutes. The route begins with the terrace bar near the square, then continues through three of the city’s selected bars before the final club.

The terrace is the clearest visual highlight. You can look across the Plaza de Armas at night while starting the evening with the first included shot or cocktail. It gives you a sense of place that an ordinary indoor bar cannot provide, and it makes a pleasant opening to a night centered on Arequipa.

The tour description does not name all three bars or provide a detailed schedule for each one. That means you should expect some flexibility. The guide may adjust the timing to suit the group, the bar conditions, or the night’s arrangements. You receive a broad route, not a fixed menu of exact drinks and table reservations.

That lack of detail has both good and bad sides. I like the possibility of a more relaxed evening, especially when the guide has contacts at the venues. A positive comment specifically notes that Abraham knew people at the bars, which can make introductions easier. On the other hand, you cannot compare each venue in advance or choose to skip a particular stop based on its music or mood.

The included drink at each bar is a welcome shot or cocktail. The wording does not promise a specific brand, size, or style, so keep your expectations sensible. You may also want to pace yourself. Three drinks in the bar portion, followed by a nightclub, can turn a fun evening into a rough morning if you treat every stop as a race.

The group setting adds another layer. With a maximum of 70 people, you may find a mix of solo visitors, couples, friends, and people celebrating a night out. Large groups can create instant company, but they can also mean waiting while everyone gathers and moves together. I would stay close to the guide and remember the name of your accommodation in case you choose to leave early.

Finishing at Casona Forum after midnight

The final stop is usually Casona Forum, at Calle San Francisco 317. The nightclub portion lasts about one hour and includes VIP entrance and access to all of its rooms.

The range of rooms is the club’s main selling point:

• Salsa room
• Rock room
• Lounge room
• General room
• VIP room
• Reggaeton room

That variety matters because a large group rarely wants the same music all night. You can move between salsa, rock, reggaeton, and the lounge instead of being stuck with one soundtrack. The general and VIP rooms also give the group different settings, though the details of seating and service are not provided.

The nightclub is described as huge, with entry to all rooms included in the tour. That makes the final hour feel like more than a simple bar admission. It gives you a chance to find the part of the club that suits your mood, even if you started the night with people who prefer different music.

The one-hour timing may feel short if you are having a great time. The overall experience lasts about 4 hours and 30 minutes, so a 9:00 p.m. start brings the main club portion late in the evening. The tour usually ends near the main square, though the stated end point is Casona Forum. Plan for some variation rather than expecting a precise final minute.

The positive comments focus on music, strong cocktails, friendly guides, drinking games, and an easygoing crowd. One person returned the next day after enjoying the first night so much. That tells you what kind of evening this is: loud, social, spontaneous, and more interested in fun than formality.

Who will enjoy this night most

I would recommend the crawl most strongly to solo visitors. The group structure removes the awkward part of going out alone, and the included games and shared route give you easy ways to meet people. If you are hoping to find company for the rest of your time in Arequipa, this is one of the better reasons to book.

It also suits people who want a first look at the local nightlife without spending time researching bars. You can let the guide handle the route while you focus on conversation, drinks, music, and the view from the opening terrace.

The experience is less suited to anyone who wants a small, quiet group. A maximum of 70 people is a clear signal that this may feel busy and social. It is also not ideal if you dislike loud music, drinking games, nightclub crowds, or moving between several venues in one evening.

You should also consider your energy level. Arequipa visitors often spend their days walking through the center, visiting museums, or taking trips outside the city. A 9:00 p.m. start and late club finish may be tiring after a full day. I would choose this on a night when you want the evening itself to be the main event.

Practical details that affect your decision

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the tour is near public transportation. Most people can participate, and no special fitness requirement is stated. The central meeting and ending points make the experience easier to fit into an evening in the city center.

The maximum group size is 70. That is large enough to create a real party atmosphere, but you should not expect personal attention at every moment. The guide’s role is mainly to lead the group, manage the route, and help everyone enter the venues.

The price is $18 per person. Since it includes a drink at each bar, a guide, and nightclub entry, I consider it a fair deal. The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separate cover charges and buy drinks at several stops. If you plan to have only one drink and leave early, the value becomes less convincing.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The tour also depends on good weather and a minimum number of people. If the operator cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

The no-show complaints deserve practical attention. Two people reported arriving and finding no guide or notice that the activity was unavailable. I cannot tell from the information provided why that happened, and the high overall rating suggests it is not the normal result. Still, I would save the confirmation, arrive early, and ask Kallpa Tours or nearby staff for help if the group is not visible at the meeting point.

My final call on the Arequipa pub crawl

Book it if you want an affordable, social night with several bars, included drinks, a terrace facing the Plaza de Armas, and a large club with six music rooms. I especially like it for solo visitors and first-time visitors who would rather meet people than plan every stop themselves.

Skip it if you want a small group, a quiet bar evening, or a guaranteed guide and tightly fixed schedule. The occasional no-show report is the main concern, while the large group size is the main style issue.

For the right person, this is a lively introduction to Arequipa after dark. Arrive early, pace your drinks, stay near the guide, and think of the route as a friendly night out rather than a formal tour.

FAQ

Where does the Arequipa pub crawl start?

It starts at Kallpa Tours, Calle Campo Redondo 103, B1, Cercado, Arequipa 04001, Peru.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour begins at 9:00 p.m.

How long does the pub crawl last?

The experience lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.

How many bars are included?

The route visits three bars before ending at a nightclub.

Are drinks included?

Yes. You receive a welcome shot or cocktail at each bar visited.

Which nightclub does the tour usually use?

The tour usually ends at Casona Forum on Calle San Francisco 317.

What rooms can I enter at Casona Forum?

Access includes the salsa, rock, lounge, general, VIP, and reggaeton rooms.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 70 people.