What to do in Ica, Nazca and Paracas

Ica, Nazca and Paracas are three destinations that many tourists take advantageto visit on the same trip due to their close proximity.

If you love adventure, nature and you want to know more about the ancient cultures of Peru, this guide will help you to discover what are the most visited tourist attractions attracting people from all over the world. 

Where is Ica, Nazca and Paracas located? 

These three cities are part of the coastal region, that extends from Tumbes to Tacna, and are characterized by its deserts, valleys and dunes. 

How do you arrive to Ica, Nazca and Paracas? 

By air: You can take a plane to the Capitán FAP Renán Elías Olivera International Airport located in the city of Pisco. For national flights you can arrive at the Las Dunas airfield, which also has routes to areas such as the Nazca lines and the Huacachina Lagoon. 

By land: the main route to enter into these destinations if by the Southern Panamerican highway. The majority of tourists arrive by plane to Lima and then continue their route by car or bus. 

What is the weather like in Ica, Nazca and Paracas?

These three destinations have climates fairly similar and are in a warm area, with sunny days almost every day of the year. 

Below we will review the climate of each city:

  • The climate in Ica is a warm desert, with maximum temperatures reaching 32°C.
  • Nazca is known as one of the driest places on the planet: it only rains 4 mm each year. Temperatures range between 10°C and 32°C.
  • Meanwhile in Paracas, the temperatures range between 20°C to 27°C in summer, and a maximum of 20°C during winter. 

When to go to Ica, Nazca and Paracas?

The best time of year to visit Ica, Nazca and Paracas is in spring or winter, when you will have dry sunny days but cooler nights which temperatures that border 8°C. 

Avoid these destinations during summer due to strong winds that occur during these months. 

Where to eat? 

If you are passing through Ica, you must try the best iqueña gastronomy such as the morusa and las tejas. It is also known for producing pisco. 

In Nazca, the typical dish is el bufo or charapana. You should also try the sweet potato and fig sweet treats. Order la cachina, a popular beverage made from grapes. 

Where to sleep? 

The lodging options in Ica, Nazca and Paracas are varied and for all types of taste. You will find hostels for digital nomads to comfortable hotels for couples or families. The prices depend on the area that you visit and your budget. 

Here you can revise more options of alojamiento en Nazca y hotelería en Paracas.

What to do in Ica, Nazca and Paracas

Ica

Located on the southern Peruvian coast, it is an area of valleys, beaches and natural reserves. On the dunes you can practice extreme sports like sand boarding and rides on dune buggies. In addition, don’t miss the main plaza and its museums with interesting collections of preincaica culture. We also recommend you visit some of the vineyards and try the incredible Ica pisco. 

Huacachina Oasis

This oasis is an unmissable place to visit near Ica and, even further, it is the only oasis in South America. Huacachina is located in the middle of the desert with a lagoon surrounded by dunes, palm trees and huarangos. You can enjoy its delicious food, sandboard, go on a ride on a paddle boat or dune buggy. There are also tours that exist that leave from Ica and Lima. 

Cachiche 

4 kilometers to the south of Ica is this enigmatic village, known for its witches in ancient times that cured all sorts of sickness and bad.

Paracas

Located in the Pisco province, 250 kilometers to the south of Lima, this destination is characterized by its deserts, beaches, islands and cliffs. It is a small town and ideal for those that love nature and observing animals in their natural habitat. 

Paracas National Reserve 

This area is the protected home of sea lions, Humboldt penguins, dolphins and flamingos. It is located in Pisco and was created to protect the wild plants and animals of the area. Don’t miss El Candelabro, a magnificent ancient geoglyph located in the bay of Paracas, also considered a Cultural Heritage site. 

Ballestas Islands

Here you will see the largest colony of sea lions, an ideal destination to connect with nature and observe marine animals. You can take a boat ride to get near the islands and see its plants and animals up close. The best time to go is between January and March, being the season when you can see the sea lion young.  

Chincha

In this province you can take the famous Route of Pisco, and also celebrate the Harvest Festival during the month of March. 

Nazca

Located in the south of Peru, this city is full of archaeological sites and underground aqueducts that date thousands of centuries back. 

Nazca Lines

Ancient geoglyphs that are still a mystery within the world of archeology. It is said that they belong to the Nazca culture and are characterized by its geometric and animals figures such as the dog, condor, monkey and hummingbird. It is also a UNESCO Culture Heritage Site. To live this unique experience we recommend you reserve a tour in plane to observe them from up above. You will see each detail of the Nazca Lines! 

Cantalloc Aqueducts 

There are more than 32 underground aqueducts built in the middle of the desert by the ancient Nazca culture. This irrigation system is unique to Peru and that until today has been utilized by local farmers to plant corn, cotton, beans and potatoes.  

Cahuachi Ceremonial Center

It is one of the largest ceremonial centers in the world created by the Nazca culture, consisting of a group of pyramids 15-40 meters high. Located in the Nazca river valley south of Lima. Reserve a tour here. 

Chauchilla Cemetery

In this cemetery you will find original tombs from the preincaica period, with textiles, ceramics, being one of the largest graveyards in the Nazca valley. You can visit it and take a tour during the day. 

Los Paredones

This archaeological site was an ancient Incan administrative center located on the slopes of Los Altos de Nazca. 

Recommendations

  • The majority of the destinations are coastal, so we recommend you bring water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for tours and visit to touristic sites. Also bring sneakers and light clothing. 

  • Remember to never feed or bother the animals. It is your responsibility as a tourist to protect them and not invade their natural habitat. 

  • It is recommended to have cash or take cash out at ATMs in the larger cities. In some of the small towns you will not be able to find ATMs or banks. 

If you are motivated to travel to these three Peruvian destinations, review our tours or write to us at sales@letsvisitperu.com and we will make your trip according to your needs.