Nazca
Travel Guide > South America > Peru > Nazca
In this Article
- Introduction
- Sights and Activities
- Events and Festivals
- Getting There
- Getting Around
- Eat
- Drink
- Sleep
- Keep Connected
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Introduction
Nazca town itself is nothing special, its main attraction is the Nazca Lines that lie on the plain just outside of the town.
Sights and Activities
Seeing the Lines
The Nazca Lines are the main reason to visit Nazca, the local airport is set up mainly for small group flyovers of the lines. The flyovers cost around USD 45pp (Nov 07) for a 30 minute, stomach churning flight over the lines. You'll see all the main figures and the pilot will make sure both sides get a good view of each figure. The flights are best in the early morning before the turbulence gets too bad, be warned that it's best not to eat too much before the flight. Flights can be arranged at the airport or with one of the many local tour companies and hotels, in fact you will get mobbed by hawkers the second you get out of the bus station.
There are also several look out towers that have been built near some of the lines. Although you can only view a few of the lines form the towers the 2 sols entrance is much nicer on the budget compared to the plane tickets.
Other Sights and Activities
- Chauchilla Cemetery is the other main local attraction. This a pre-incan site has been heavily looted it is now protected and has several of the graves dug out with the human remains (complete with hair and skin) displayed in them along with some burial items. The cemetery is a distance out of town, you can get a taxi there, tour companies also offer tours there for about USD 10 (Nov 07).
- Museum in town is also nice.
Events and Festivals
Getting There
By Plane
Domestic flights arrive at the María Reiche Neuman Airport (NZA).
By Car
By Bus
Nazca is well served by the major bus companies (Cruz del Sur, Ormeño) from both Lima approx 8 hours USD 40 1st class (via Pisco (3 hours) and Ica/Huacachina (2 hours)) and Arequipa approx 12 hours. Overnight buses from Arequipa are available and very comfortable, costing around USD 40 first class.
Getting Around
By Car
By Public Transport
Should you need to travel any distance around the city taxis are easy to find driving around and cheap.
By Foot
The centre of Nazca is small and can easily be walked around
By Bike
Eat
There are a few restaurants ranging from cheap pollerias to higher class around the main plaza, some of the hotels also have restaurants.
Drink
Sleep
Don't forget you can get overnight buses out of Nazca, these may be a cheaper alternative and once you've seen the lines and cemetery there is little reason to stay in Nazca. You can easily arrive in Nazca on the overnight bus from Arequipa, join an overflight, visit the cemetery and get the afternoon bus to Lima arriving about 8pm and completely avoid staying overnight in Nazca.
Budget
Rancho Park Hostal Turistico, a little further out of town than some of the others.
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospedaje Brabant | Calle Juan Matta 878 | Guesthouse | 84 |
| Nasca Trails Hostel | Bolognesi st. 550 Main Square Fermin del Castillo St 637 - Nasca | Guesthouse | 83 |
| WalkOn Inn | José María Mejía 108 | Guesthouse | 86 |
Mid-Range
Hostel Alegria, well kept hostel with swimming pool. They also offer tours.
Upscale
Keep Connected
Internet
Internet cafés are easy to find and many hotels/hostels have internet access.
Phone
Post
This is version 12. Last edited at 14:39 on Aug 30, 09 by Lavafalls (+32). 3 articles link to this page.
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