An industrial cargo port on Peru's arid Pacific coast, Matarani punches above its weight as the gateway to Arequipa — the 'White City' of volcanic sillar stone — and the world-famous Colca Canyon condor flights.
Ships dock at the TISUR industrial pier — walking is not permitted through the active cargo zone.
💡 Pro move: No ATMs at the port. Bring Peruvian Soles (PEN) for Mollendo vendors and Arequipa street food. USD are accepted in Arequipa tourist shops, but at poor rates.
Matarani has one cruise berth at the TISUR terminal — an active industrial cargo facility.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines (Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, etc.) | TISUR wharf, Matarani📍 | Docked |
| Expedition ships | TISUR wharf, Matarani📍 | Docked |
Matarani is purely a gateway — nearly all excursion value is 25 minutes to 2.5 hours inland.
The 'White City' is built almost entirely from white sillar volcanic stone. The highlight is the 20,000 sqm Santa Catalina Monastery — a walled city within the city, with vivid blue and terracotta corridors that once housed cloistered nuns.
Find Arequipa day tours →View the remarkably preserved 15th-century mummy of a young Inca girl sacrificed on Mount Ampato. One of the world's best-preserved pre-Columbian mummies, displayed in Arequipa's Sanctuary Museum.
Find Arequipa museum tours →A rare wetland oasis in the coastal desert, just 45 minutes south of the port. Around 200 recorded bird species including Chilean flamingos and migratory shorebirds. The contrast of blue lagoons against yellow desert dunes is stunning.
Find Mejía nature tours →The closest option to the port — a coastal resort town 25 minutes away. Walk the grey-sand beaches, see the eccentric early-20th-century Castillo de Forga perched on cliffs above the Pacific, and browse the Plaza de Armas.
Find Mollendo shore excursions →One of the world's deepest canyons and the best place on Earth to watch Andean condors soar on thermals at Cruz del Condor viewpoint. Condors appear around 8–9:30 AM. Note: Cruz del Condor is roughly 7+ hrs from the port each way (about 5 hrs beyond Arequipa) — only realistic on overnight pre/post stays, not a standard one-day port call.
Find Colca Canyon tours →Matarani itself has no tourist walkable areas — head to Mollendo for the nearest strolling.
From Mollendo's Plaza de Armas, walk downhill to the beachfront promenade and along the cliffs toward the Castillo de Forga. The combination of Pacific surf crashing on rocky outcrops and the dramatic castle silhouette makes for great photos.
Start at Arequipa's dazzling Plaza de Armas — flanked by the Basilica Cathedral and the Jesuit Church — then walk north a few blocks to the entrance of the Santa Catalina Monastery. The sillar stonework glows golden in afternoon light.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Matarani, Arequipa, Peru (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 70°F / 21°C | 61°F / 16°C | 10 | 5:37 AM | 6:33 PM |
| Feb | 69°F / 21°C | 62°F / 17°C | 15 | 5:52 AM | 6:27 PM |
| Mar | 70°F / 21°C | 62°F / 17°C | 12 | 5:59 AM | 6:10 PM |
| Apr | 72°F / 22°C | 62°F / 17°C | 2 | 6:04 AM | 5:47 PM |
| May | 73°F / 23°C | 62°F / 17°C | 0 | 6:11 AM | 5:33 PM |
| Jun | 73°F / 23°C | 61°F / 16°C | 0 | 6:20 AM | 5:32 PM |
| Jul | 73°F / 23°C | 61°F / 16°C | 0 | 6:23 AM | 5:40 PM |
| Aug | 73°F / 23°C | 61°F / 16°C | 0 | 6:13 AM | 5:48 PM |
| Sep | 73°F / 23°C | 62°F / 17°C | 0 | 5:51 AM | 5:51 PM |
| Oct | 73°F / 23°C | 62°F / 17°C | 0 | 5:28 AM | 5:55 PM |
| Nov | 73°F / 23°C | 62°F / 17°C | 0 | 5:15 AM | 6:06 PM |
| Dec | 72°F / 22°C | 62°F / 17°C | 1 | 5:20 AM | 6:22 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Quick 10-minute ride to Mollendo city center (~13 km). Always negotiate the fare upfront; taxis here do not use meters.
Buses depart from Mollendo to Arequipa (~2.5 hours). Budget-friendly way to reach the White City and its colonial landmarks.
Private taxi covers the ~120 km to Arequipa in ~1.5–2 hours. Agree on a price before you get in and carry Peruvian Soles.
Organized tours to Arequipa include round-trip transport, English-speaking guide, and entry to sites like Santa Catalina Monastery.
Pre-booked private transfers (e.g. Taxi Mundo) run from the port to Mollendo or Arequipa. More reliable than hailing at the dock.
Upcoming cruises that call at Matarani, Arequipa, Peru. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.