Zoo Mundo Alpaca: Experience the Magic of Wildlife in Arequipa

What is Alpaca World?

Zoo Mundo Alpaca is a cultural and tourist space dedicated to showcasing Andean textile traditions, with a special focus on the alpaca its fiber, history, and context. Its offerings combine nature, heritage, history, and learning. At its location in Arequipa, visitors have the opportunity to see alpacas and llamas in person, also you can learn about the manual fiber sorting process, observe ancestral weaving techniques, and visit museums related to Andean textiles. At the end of the tour, you can also visit its shops, featuring garments and accessories made with alpaca and vicuña fiber products of traditional craftsmanship. With locations in the cities of Arequipa and Lima , Zoo Mundo Alpaca makes a great cultural and educational contribution to Peru and the world; its Lima location being the only one in Peru that uses cutting-edge technology and virtual reality to guarantee an unprecedented immersive experience.

What to see and do in Zoo Mundo Alpaca

• Interact with live alpacas and llamas.
  Visitors can get up close and observe these animals in their simulated habitat, learning about their behavior, diet, care, and domestication. It’s a unique opportunity for photography and direct contact with emblematic species of the Andean region.

• Learn about Alpaca and vicuña fibers.
  The unique properties of these fibers are showcased: softness, thermal insulation, durability, and a variety of natural colors. Visitors observe the manual sorting of the wool, a traditional technique that ensures the highest quality and has been passed down through generations since pre-Hispanic times.

• Witness ancestral weaving.
  During the visit, demonstrations are given on the backstrap loom , an ancient technique used by pre-Incan cultures. It is explained how the designs, patterns, and symbols present in the textiles reflect the Andean worldview, myths, stories, and social hierarchies.

• Visit a textile machinery museum.
  This museum showcases the evolution of the textile industry in Peru, from hand tools to modern machinery used in the manufacture of alpaca and vicuña products. 

• Explore the Pre-Columbian Textile Museum (Museo Amano-Michell).
  Here you’ll find pieces from ancient cultures such as Paracas, Nasca, Wari, Chancay, and Siguas, allowing you to appreciate the complexity and sophistication of pre-Columbian weaving. Visitors learn about the materials, natural dyeing techniques, and symbolic meanings of the designs.

• Visit the Mundo Alpaca art gallery and annual competition.
  Organized in 1981, this art and textile competition promotes local creativity. Works in watercolor, oil, and traditional textiles are exhibited, allowing visitors to discover the talent of contemporary Peruvian artists and how modern art engages with textile tradition.

• Purchase handcrafted products.
  At the end of the tour, visitors can explore the Sol Alpaca boutique , which sells alpaca and vicuña garments and accessories, handcrafted by local communities. This not only allows you to purchase authentic souvenirs but also supports the economy of artisans who keep the Peruvian textile tradition alive.

• Educational activities and workshops (additional information to enrich the page)
  Mundo Alpaca also offers workshops for students and tourists:

  • Backstrap loom weaving classes .

  • Fiber sorting and natural dyeing workshops.

  • Talks on Andean textile history and species conservation.
    These activities allow visitors to have a hands-on experience, learn traditional techniques, and delve deeper into Andean culture.

Location, opening hours and practical information

• Address: Av. John of the Tower 101, San Lazaro (Historic Center of Arequipa).

• Regular hours: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm

• Free admission .

• Ideal for: families, national and foreign tourists, students, those interested in culture, crafts, nature, and Andean history.

Why it’s worth visiting

• It allows you to live a unique and immersive experience : it is not just seeing objects, but getting to know animals, fiber, ancestral techniques, history and crafts in the same place.

• It is a tangible way to connect with Andean tradition and appreciate firsthand the alpaca/vicuña fiber: its history, production, and cultural context.

• It combines education, culture, nature and shopping : ideal for those looking to learn, enjoy and take home an authentic souvenir.

• Since admission is free , it is accessible — an attractive option for travelers on a budget.

• It is flexible and suitable for different audiences : families, backpackers, design lovers, students, nature lovers — everyone can enjoy it.