Tourist Attractions of Ica

Huacachina - Ica
Surrounded by dunes, palm trees and huarangos, small tropical American trees (Caesalpina coriaria); the Lagoon of Huacachina appears as a sort of illusion in the desert, only 5 km west from the City of Ica. In olden times, the lagoon became famous among the residents due to the medicinal properties of its filtered waters. Today it is a peaceful resort which is ideal to take a rest and enjoy the landscape.

It is impossible to take boat rides in the lagoon. Those seeking some sort of adventure can practice sand boarding on the dunes. The equipment necessary for this sport can be rented from some of the local stores.

Nazca Lines - Ica
Nazca is located 142 km from the City of Ica. It is a city which has preserved the secrets of its ancestors, great masters of ceramics and the authors of the huge and impressive system of lines and drawings dispersed over the pampas.

The Pampas of San Jose, between km 419 and 465 of the South Pan-American Highway, are the site of the famous Nazca Lines, comprised of over 70 giant figures and some 10,000 lines imprinted on the land which have been declared the Cultural Heritage of Mankind by UNESCO. Figures like those of the monkey, a humming bird, a guanay (phalacrocorax bougainvillii) and a spider amaze people who look at them from the air or from the viewpoint located opposite km 420 of the Highway.

The Pampas of San Jose, between km 419 and 465 of the South Pan-American Highway, are the site of the famous Nazca Lines, comprised of over 70 giant figures and some 10,000 lines imprinted on the land which have been declared the Cultural Heritage of Mankind by UNESCO. Figures like those of the monkey, a humming bird, a guanay (phalacrocorax bougainvillii) and a spider amaze people who look at them from the air or from the viewpoint located opposite km 420 of the Highway.

According to Maria Reiche-Grosse, who dedicated most of her life to studying these lines, this is meant to be a giant astronomic calendar which dates back to approximately 500 A.C.
Opposite km 417 one may find the Maria Reiche-Grosse Newman Site Museum, where part of the study material of the German researcher has been gathered, as well as photographs, maps, drawings, and models. There are several companies offering their services to fly over the Lines, both out of Nazca as well as out of Ica.

Pisco - Ica
Founded as a villa in 1640, on the orders of the Viceroy, Marquis of Mancera, today Pisco is a small city of fishermen and farmers located 76 km from Ica. Due to its proximity to the Bay of Paracas, it has become a popular place for tourists. In its main Square there is the Cathedra,dating back to the 17th century, as well as the Moorish style building of the Municipality.

A block away from the square is the Church of the Society, a Baroque temple housing paintings from the School of Cuzco and gold leaf -decorated altars.
The name of the city is almost immediately associated with pisco the grape liquor produced on Peru’s South Coast, especially in the Region of Ica. During Colonial times the popularity of the liquor was quickly related to the Port of Ica calling it aguardiente de pisco (grape brandy).

National Reserve of Paracas - Ica
It is located at a distance of 42 km from the city of Ica, along a paved road, although access is easier from the City of Pisco (76 km from Ica). This is a shelter for sea lions, Humboldt penguins, otters, dolphins and a great variety of resident and migrating birds, including the gray seagull, the Inca tern (larosterna inca), the rayador (rhynchops nigra), the cholo atico, the red legged cormorant, (phalacrorax gaimardi) and the guanay (phalacrocorax bougainvillii). The Paracas Reserve, which comprises 335,000 ha, is not only a natural paradise, but also an important archaeological center with traces of the ancient Paracas Culture that dates back from 700 B.C. to 400 A.C., a town of great weavers who produced multicolored cloths, true pieces of art.

Paracas is the center of important tourist attractions, such as the Cathedral, the Candelabrum and the Ballestas Islands, as well as the beautiful beaches of Atenas, La Mina, El Raspon, Mendieta and Barlovento. To enjoy the beauty of the Reserve, one may travel both by land and by sea, boarding a boat at the Chaco beach, before going into the reserved area, next to the seaside resort of Paracas.
An impressive rocky formation, produced by erosion and the sea tide, crowned by a tower, is known as the Cathedral. Its cliffs are home to the Peruvian bobo bird (sula varegata) and other sea birds, while in the lower section, known as the cave, one can observe the marine otter or chinguno (lutra felina) an animal which may hardly be found in other areas.

North of the Paracas Peninsula, looking out to sea, there is a figure engraved in the sand, called the Candelabrum or Three Crosses, the origin of which continues to be unknown. For some it is a symbol that guided seamen and fishermen during the first half of the 19th century.

Visiting the Ballestas Islands means coming into contact with the very rich wildlife of the Reserve, particularly with the sea lions, this can be observed at large.
South of the Reserve is Punta Arquillo, a cliff with an impressive view of the horizon, of the islands and of the sea lions gliding through the waves. With a little luck one can see the majestic flight of the condor searching for food.

Another interesting spot to visit is Independence Bay, two and a half hours away from the Reserve, by car, over the sandy roads of the area, heading southwest. This is the bay where Jose de San Martin disembarked and which gave rise to his campaign to liberate Peru. The visit is worth it if one wishes to spend a peaceful day at the beach, or camping.

In that case, Cruz de Carhuaz is one of the most advisable places to go to because of its large beaches and calm waters.

The different beaches offer visitors a chance to swim, fish, snorkel or windsurf. It is convenient to take good care upon entering the sea, as there are usually pastelillos or sting rays, which may injure bathers. It is recommended to wear closed tennis shoes or to drag ones feet to scare them away.