Nazca, Peru: Best Things to Do
If you are wondering what to do in Nazca, Peru, except for Nazca Lines flight tours, this travel guide includes practical tips on things to do, attractions, activities, must-visit places, and accommodation.
Nazca is a dusty city in the Peruvian Ica region 450 kilometers south of Lima and home to the famous and mysterious Nazca Lines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Together with Machu Picchu, Nazca Lines are for many visitors the sole reason to visit Peru.
From the start of our year-long trip around South America, we knew that this is the place we want to see as well. The photos of geoglyphs are simply so captivating, and it is hard to imagine how they were created.
The funny thing is, we had no idea that the Nazca Lines are not the only interesting place you can see there.
At first glance, there is not much to see and do in this area. The desert region is dry, barren, and inhospitable for humans.
Yet, thousands of years ago, a few cultures managed to survive these harsh conditions, and nowadays, we can learn more about these civilizations and admire their ingenious knowledge.
Nazca Lines attract crowds from all over the world each year and overshadow the rest of the attractions.
That's why we've created this Nazca travel guide. To show you more places you can visit in Nazca as we believe they are often unjustly skipped.
WHAT TO DO IN NAZCA
Even though most visitors just pass through the Nazca to see the lines and leave for Colca Canyon in Arequipa or Sacred Valley in Cusco the next day, there is so much more this place has to offer than you would have expected.
Admittedly, a little bit of thirst for history and knowledge with a pinch of imagination is required to appreciate these places. And a knowledgeable guide.
The city itself is definitely not the reason to visit this area, though there are a few things to do in the Nazca area worth mentioning.
The real treasures are hidden in the desert outside the city limits (or on its outskirts).
Nazca's surroundings are also a great example of the fact that escaping crowds and getting off the beaten path is possible even at one of the most attractive places in South America.
However, the difference in income from tourism is clearly visible, and some places should get more attention from the local authorities.
NAZCA CULTURE
South America has many fascinating ancient cultures, and Nazca is one of the most interesting ones.
The Nazca Civilization (sometimes spelled Nasca) resided and flourished in the coastal region of the southwest of Peru between 200 BC to 600 AD.
It's quite surprising that this civilization could survive for so long in such conditions. But nothing lasts forever.
The Peruvian coast is heavily influenced by the El Nino weather patterns caused by the Pacific Ocean. Similar to their counterparts in the north, this natural phenomenon was also inevitably their doom.
Nazca people are mostly known worldwide for their ability to draw giant figures of humans, animals, and long straight lines on the ground.
Nowadays, many archaeological sites scattered around the Nazca allow us to step back in time and learn more not only about the lines but also about the everyday life of this ancient culture.
And learning about ancient engineering skills, pottery, textiles, religion, mummifications, and burial customs can be quite an exciting experience.
HOW TO VISIT SITES AROUND NAZCA
Except for the Nazca Lines flight tour, which is the main reason why most travelers visit Nazca in the first place, there are a few more sites worth your attention.
The best way to visit the attractions Nazca has to offer is with guided tours. Although we prefer to visit places independently, in this case, it makes sense from all angles to at least consider this alternative.
Most travel agencies can arrange all sorts of tours, so you can choose the one you like the most.
You can shop around the main tourist street in the city center where most travel agencies reside; you can book them online or ask at your hotel if they can arrange it for you.
If you plan your itinerary carefully, you can visit most of Nazca tourist sites in one day.
So if your Peru travel itinerary is super packed and you are looking for a way to save time, this is how we would arrange it.
Take a night bus to Nazca and arrive there early as possible. Then we would recommend you to do the Nazca Lines tour first. The wind is more favorable, and also visibility is much better.
After the flight, you can take another tour to explore the rest of the archaeological sites in the city's surroundings. In the evening, you can leave Nazca by bus for Lima or Arequipa.
Last but not least, you can go with the travel agency for the flight, and then hire a local taxi driver.
This alternative gives you the most flexibility, but taxi drivers are not usually guides, so you need to hire one at the site for extra money.
NAZCA LINES
Of course, this travel guide on the top attractions wouldn't be complete without first mentioning the Nazca Lines. Without exaggeration, Nazca Lines are one of the most exciting UNESCO sites in the world.
The origin, purpose, or meaning is still not very clear, and scientists from all over the world have different theories and explanations.
So what are Nazca Lines exactly?
More than 2000 years ago, a bunch of symbolic designs of animals, humans, and plants, together with countless straight lines covering more than 450 square kilometers, were drawn by Nazca people in the middle of the desert.
The desert climate holds perfect conditions for preservation, and the lines remained mostly intact until today. Simply put, Nazca is an incredible place that is best seen from the plane.
We enjoyed the flight over Nazca Lines so much, and still think it was one of our best experiences in Peru and money well spent.
There are usually two types of flights - 30 minutes and 40 minutes tours.
Obviously, the longer one allows you to see even more geoglyphs, and if you ask us if it's worth it, we must say that probably not, but if you have a strong stomach and extra budget, then you can give it a try. You will be rewarded with even more geoglyphs.
Speaking of which, you should keep in mind only one thing.
Despite the fact that the flight was calm and smooth, the pilot has to make sharp turns so that everyone can see the geoglyphs.
So our friendly advice to all you guys who are prone to motion sickness, have your breakfast after the tour; otherwise, it might accompany you once up in the air.
And by the way, if you feel regularly nauseated when you ride a bus or boat, you might want to bring a trusty travel sick bag that can save you from some stressful moments.
If you prefer booking tours online, here is the Nazca Flight Tour.
If you are a backpacker traveling on a budget, you might find prices for Nazca tours a bit high. Do not despair; there is a simple yet elegant solution for those traveling on a shoestring.
A viewing tower stands about 30 kilometers northwest of Nazca, and this might be a perfect opportunity to see the lines without breaking the bank.
Although the views are limited, and some of the geoglyphs and lines are cut in half by the Panamericana highway, it's still better than no views at all.
You can catch a bus from Nazca to the viewing tower for S/3 one way, and the entrance fee is only S/3. The viewing tower is also an excellent alternative for travelers afraid of flying.
MUSEO ANTONINI
Despite its relatively small size, the museum holds a surprisingly large amount of artifacts such as ceramics, tools, and textiles. If you are looking for a great introduction to this area, look no further.
In fact, visiting the museum before heading off to archaeological sites makes sense to get the context.
The museum is quite informative; the only drawback is that all texts are in Spanish, so traveling with a guide is a huge advantage unless you are fluent in this language. You can also ask for an English guidebook at the front desk.
It usually doesn't take more than an hour to walk around the museum and see the displays. Make sure to step outside and see the aqueduct and burial chambers in the garden.
The museum is located in the northeast of Nazca, less than one kilometer from the Plaza de Armas, so you don't need to take a taxi to get there.
The entrance fee is S/15 plus S/5 extra for photography. If the museum looks closed, ring the bell at the front door.
ACUEDUCTOS DE CANTALLOC
Nazca is hot and dry, and water is a scarce commodity. In order to survive in these conditions, Nazca people built a system of underground aqueducts called puquios to ensure water supply for the city and their fields.
The need for drinking water and irrigation was huge, and the idea was simple, to bring the water from the mountains to the village.
These spiraled wells have a fascinating design that makes getting to the water at the bottom even more accessible.
Even for us who are not exactly a technical persons, Puquios seemed like a great example of early architecture without using the technology. And that's what makes them even more incredible.
More than forty structures like these were built in Nazca, and once again, a local guide will make more sense of this place.
Otherwise, you will be watching just a bunch of holes in the ground.
And by the way, if you take the flight above the Nazca Lines, you can actually see the aqueducts from above just before the landing.
LOS PAREDONES
A lovely little Inca ruins on the way out of the city, Los Paredones, is worth a quick stop. Los Paredones is one of those places that you can enjoy while being at the site without other tourists, or you might find this site underwhelming.
There are a few designated walkways, some of the structures were partially reconstructed, and you need about twenty to thirty minutes for this site.
When you climb a bit higher, you get a beautiful view of the city with the mountains in the background. Make sure to stay there for the sunset.
Los Paredones is less than 2 kilometers south of Plaza de Armas.
You can take a taxi for a few soles, or walk down Arica street until you reach the river, then cross the bridge and follow the main road further south until you arrive at the junction with Carretera Interoceanica. The entrance is just across the street.
The entrance ticket is S/10, but it also includes Cantayoc Aquaducts and two additional sites.
CAHUACHI
Cahuachi, a major religious and ceremonial center of the Nazca civilization, lies about thirty minutes of a bumpy ride northwest of Nazca. In the Peruvian coastal regions, the main material used for construction was adobe.
A long time ago, ancient builders took advantage of the natural hills and built the adobe pyramids on them.
Compared to stone made pyramids in Central America such as Tikal or Teotihuacan, these pyramids are relatively unimpressive at first sight.
And if you have visited Chan Chan or Huaca Rajada, you probably know already that adobe is not the most durable material that lasts forever.
Due to extreme weather conditions, the structures can deteriorate rapidly if not taken care of properly.
However, more than thirty pyramids have been discovered yet at this place (although only a few are accessible), and with a knowledgeable guide, this place can come alive, and you might learn a lot of things about history.
The situation is similar to other Nazca's archaeological sites, as there are no English signs.
If you wonder why the walls look so nice and a little bit fake, it's because they were recently reconstructed. Also, it comes without saying that you shouldn't climb them or any other structures and stay only at designated trails.
Visit the Museo Antonini before you go, as you can see many artifacts that were actually found at this site.
You can book the Cahuachi Tour here.
CEMENTERIO CHAUCHILLA
Drive about 30 kilometers south of Nazca, and soon after, you will reach one of the unique places in the area. Cementerio Chauchilla is an ancient cemetery in the middle of the desert.
Undoubtedly, this is a very interesting archaeological site that doesn't get much attention, but it would be a shame to skip it while in Nazca.
The cemetery is basically a vast open area with a tiny museum at the entrance and car park, and only a small part is accessible. You can see a dozen of tombs at the site, remnants of the ancient culture.
The human remains are well preserved, and you can see still hair on their white skulls bleached from the sun.
To learn more about the culture, entombment practices, make sure to hire a good guide, and not just a taxi driver. Otherwise, you might leave this place disappointed as there are no information boards in English on the site.
Unfortunately, the tombs were looted and desecrated by grave robbers many times throughout the decades.
Even now, it looks like the area would deserve a little bit of care from the Peruvian government. And the trash in the tombs, probably blown from the surroundings, was pretty sad to see as well.
However, we still believe Cementerio Chauchilla is worth the trip.
As there are no trees and the ground is flat, be prepared for annoying dust. Wear sunglasses and cover your mouth in case of wind gusts.
Cementerio Chauchilla site is free of charge.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
WHERE TO STAY IN NAZCA
The northern part of Nazca has a modest selection of hotels and guesthouses, and most travelers decide to stay in this area.
There is no need to stay near the airport, as the hotel pick-ups are usually included in the tours.
Everything you need is close, so the location is very convenient for everyone who doesn't require secluded accommodation.
It's only a short walk from the bus terminal; there are several travel agencies, ATMs, and plenty of restaurants.
Here is the list of the best hotels in Nazca for every budget.
Budget | Nasca Travel One Hostel - We stayed in this nice family-run hostel and think it's a great choice for all budget travelers. The room was clean, breakfast good for the price, and they can arrange tours for you. The only disadvantage is that it's a bit farther from the city center, but still within a walking range.
Mid-range | DM Hoteles Nasca - This is a nice hotel just two minutes' walk from the main bus terminal in Nazca. The rooms are modern, clean, and the staff very helpful. An on-site swimming pool is set in a beautiful garden, which is perfect for relaxing after a tiring day.
Luxury | Casa Hacienda Nasca Oasis - Located a bit further from the city center but closer to the airport, this hotel has a great refreshing swimming pool on-site, a beautiful garden, and clean and spacious rooms. The location is quiet and relaxing.
WHAT TO PACK
When exploring the city and its countryside, stay hydrated throughout the day, especially if you prefer getting around on foot.
You can carry a reusable water bottle and refill it in the hotel lobby (if they offer this option) or use a SteriPen to purify it yourself.
For taking photos of Nazca Lines, make sure you have a camera with a telephoto lens to capture distant geoglyphs. You don't need some extra long telephoto lens, and a standard travel zoom lens should be sufficient.
Sunscreen, together with a hat and sunglasses, is one of the essential things to bring for visiting Nazca. The dust in combination with the sun can be quite annoying, so it's better to come prepared.
Also, wear proper sneakers and leave your flipflops behind.
WHEN TO GO
Known for its dry, hot, and arid conditions, Nazca is an all year round destination. The average weather temperature is 25 Celsius, so you can enjoy the hot temperatures before heading to much cooler areas of the Andes.
We reminded ourselves of Nazca hot weather repeatedly on while freezing on Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek a few weeks later.
The rainiest months are January and February; the rest of the year doesn't get much rain.
Arguably, the best time to visit Nazca is between May and August.
We visited Nazca in November, and the weather was sunny and hot, exactly the same like we had imagined.
If possible, it's better to start your day with the flight over Nazca Lines, spend the midday by the pool, and leave the rest of the Nazca's attractions for the afternoon.
HOW TO GET THERE
Nazca is well-connected with the rest of Peru, and buses frequently run in and out. There are plenty of buses arriving from Lima to Nazca every day, and the ride usually takes about seven hours.
There isn't a bus terminal in Nazca in a proper sense; instead, each bus company has its own parking lot with an adjacent waiting room.
Fortunately, all of them are located on the Jr. Lima street near Ovalo de Nazca in the northwest of the city and within walking distance to the city center. This is very convenient for backpackers who can walk to their hostel and save some money.
Reputable and safe bus companies that operate in Nazca are Cruz del Sur, Oltursa and Civa.
You can also take a bus from Nazca to Cusco; the ride is quite long and takes about 15 hours.
Arequipa is another popular destination easily reached from Nazca, and the bus ride is approximately 10 hours long.
Lastly, the bus to Ica from Nazca takes two and a half hours, and if you are not sure why to visit Ica, know that it's home to Huacachina Oasis, Ballestas Islands, and Paracas Reserve.
You can visit all these places on a day tour from Ica.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
