Pisco
Travel Guide South America Peru Pisco
Introduction
Pisco is a city in the Ica region in Peru and is the capital of the province with the same name. It has approximately 120,000 inhabitants and is probably most famous because of the Peruvian grape liquor called Pisco, a local favorite. The nearby vineyards still produce for this liquor, but not exclusively anymore. The Quechua word Pisco means 'bird'. Sadly Pisco was rocked by a major earthquake in 2006 destroying most of the city. To this day the city is considered a disaster area and it is advised not to travel around the city after dark unless in large groups.
Neighbourhoods
Sights and Activities
Pisco Sin Fronteras
Pisco Sin Fronteras is a fascinating community service project based in urban Pisco. Many of the larger international aid efforts have left Pisco since the earthquake in 2006 but this grassroots group has stayed. They build basic concrete block houses or housing complex's for local residents. They also repair home for people that are still living in emergency tents. This is a great place to help the people of Peru, meet other travellers and just have fun while carrying a concrete bucket. It also provides a wonderful opportunity to interact with locals.
Volunteers can stay for as long or as short as they want and it costs 10 soles a day to volunteer, which go directly to the sight. It is an additional 15 soles a night to stay in the dorms located on their campus or you can stay at a nicer hotel down the street. Breakfast and dinner is included with your volunteer costs and lunch is usually provided at the sight. People volunteer all day monday to friday and half day on saturday. To get their take the bus to Pisco, which stops at the highway night the city itself, then take a cab for 21 soles to Asociacion San Pedro C-5 Pisco-Playa. Although all volunteers should apply and register online.
Other Sights and Activities
- Ballestas Islands are a short boat trip away and are known as the poor man's Galapagos Islands because they have some of the same wildlife on them as those famous islands. Most hotels and Pisco Sin Fronteras can help you arrange a tour. Wildlife includes pelicans, penguins, cormorants, Peruvian boobies, and Inca terns. There are also sea lions, turtles, dolphins, and whales.
- Beaches here are quite stunning. Due to he earthquake there is very little infrastructure and bring everything you need for the day. There are also no lifeguards.
- Tambo Colorado is a large well-preserved Inca site just outside the city.
Events and Festivals
Weather
Pisco has a great climate and temperatures rarely rise to extremes, thanks to the colder Humboldt current which affects most of the coast of northern Chile and the southern half of Peru. January to April is summer while temperatures are still around 20 °C or more during the colder wintermonths from June to September. Rain is scarce and mainly falls during the warmer summermonths.
Getting There
By Plane
The nearest major airport is the Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport, 235 kilometres to the north. There are numerous airlines serving Lima from other countries in South America and further away towards North America and Europe.
By Car
Pisco is located off of the Pan American Highway.
By Bus
Pisco is a 4-hour bus ride from Lima and also 4 hours for Nazca. Remember that buses without the final stop in Pisco stop at the junction located on the Pan American Highway, so it pays to have some money for a taxi into town. There are also buses to Ica (1.5-2 hours) and Arequipa (12-15 hours).
By Boat
Getting Around
By Car
Taxi's exist but the motos are much more common and cheaper. Although after dark one should avoid them because the moto's have been known to rob solo people in the past.
By Public Transport
The bus system was destroyed like most of the public services during the earthquake.
By Foot
Walking is possible but the roads are pretty destroyed and watch out for large pits meant for new sewer lines.
By Bike
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Budget
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Miramar Pisco | Avenida Genaro Medrano 120 San Andrés | Hotel | 88 |
| Hostal Tambo Colorado | Av. Bolognesi 159 Ica | Guesthouse | 91 |
| Posada Hispana | Av. Bolognesi # 222 | Hotel | 91 |
| Hostal La Terraza Pisco | Av San Martin 701 San Andres, Pisco | Hostel | 89 |
Mid-Range
Upscale
Work
Learn
Keep Connected
Internet
Phone
See also International Telephone Calls
Post
Check the Serpost website, the national postal service (a private company), for more information about prices and options regarding the sending of postcards, letters and parcels. The post service is relatively efficient and post offices can be found in most cities and (larger) towns. Post offices generally are open from 8:00am to 8:00pm Monday to Saturday and some are open on Sundays from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Postcards are available from street vendors and shops at any touristy area, and stamps are generally available as well, though sometimes only at the post office itself. It takes at least 10 days to send a postcard to North America and prices start at S/5.5. To Europe it is S/7.8 and it takes even a bit longer, around 2 weeks. For little extra money, you can choose 'expresso' services. For large parcels and quantities, you can use both Serpost or a company like DHL which is faster and offers the same prices, though it is still relatively expensive. UPS for some reason is much more expensive in Peru!
On Travellerspoint
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