Things to do in Ica
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Top 10 attractions in Ica
Parque De Las Brujas De Cachiche
Ica · 1.7 km from downtown
Canon de los Perdidos
Ica · 79.1 km from downtown
Desierto De Ica
Ica · 4.6 km from downtown
Las Ballestas
Las Ballestas is often called the "Little Galapagos of Lima." The desert coast, steep cliffs, and rugged rocky islands create a desolate yet unique natural landscape, home to tens of thousands of seabirds, including Humboldt penguins, Peruvian pelicans, cormorants, and Peruvian boobies. The Humboldt Current, which flows along the coast of Peru, is responsible for this ecological wonder. The cold current brings nutrient-rich deep water to the surface, nourishing vast amounts of plankton and fish, providing an abundant food source for seabirds and marine mammals. Birds have nested on the cliffs for years, and the accumulated guano covers the entire rock face—historically, these guano layers were tens of meters thick and were once an important source of natural fertilizer for Peru. Today, on a boat tour around the islands, in addition to the dense flocks of birds, you can see South American sea lions basking on the rocks, and occasionally dolphins appearing in the nearby waters.Lima · 81.1 km from Ica
Los Aquijes, Sunampe
Ica · 3.8 km from downtown
Nazca Lines
Nazca Lines are a series of giant geoglyphs carved into the Nasca Desert in southern Peru, created by the Paracas and Nasca people over 2,000 years ago. The ancient people removed the dark, iron oxide-coated gravel from the surface to reveal the lighter-colored sand beneath, and they drew thousands of straight lines on the ground, as well as geometric shapes like triangles and spirals, and dozens of animal and plant figures such as hummingbirds, monkeys, spiders, and condors. The total length of the lines exceeds 1,000 km, stretching across the arid plateau between the towns of Nasca and Palpa. It is precisely because of the dry, windless climate here that these patterns have been preserved in their original state to this day. The scale of these patterns is far beyond imagination. The hummingbird figure alone is nearly 100 m long. It is difficult to recognize the full picture while standing on the ground. Only by ascending into the air can one see the complete outline. Therefore, taking a small aircraft for a low-altitude flight has become the iconic way to tour this site.Nazca Province · 98.4 km from Ica
Lima Main Square
Lima Main Squarealso known as the central square, is the birthplace of the old town of Lima, the capital of Peru. In 1535, the Spaniard Pizarro founded the city here, and the square subsequently became the center of the entire city's planning and expansion. It is surrounded by the Government Palace of Peru, the Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace, the Municipal Palace, and the Palace of the Union. The colonial-style facades are often adorned with carved wooden balconies, creating a highly recognizable cityscape for Lima, and the Cathedral houses the coffin of the city's founder, Pizarro. The bronze fountain in the center of the square was completed in the mid-17th century and is one of the oldest monuments preserved in Lima, as well as a popular spot for tourists to take photos.Peru · Lima
Centro Historico
Centro Historico is the historic core of Lima, the capital of Peru, spanning the Lima and Rímac districts on both banks of the Rímac River. In the 16th century, the Spaniard Pizarro founded the city here. Over the following centuries, churches, convents, mansions, and squares were built one after another. The old town long served as the political and religious center of the Viceroyalty of Peru, with facades in Renaissance, Baroque, Neo-Baroque, and Neoclassical styles layered upon one another, where traces of Mediterranean, Moorish, and Andalusian decorative techniques can also be seen. A highly recognizable feature of the old town is the rows of carved wooden balconies, mostly built between the late 17th and 18th centuries, which are intricately carved and projecting. The Palacio de Torre Tagle and Casa de Osambela are representative examples. The old town is compact, spreading out from the Lima Main Square along pedestrian streets, and the main attractions can be connected on foot. The changing of the guard in front of the Government Palace is also a common sight in the square.Peru · Lima
Reserva Nacional de Paracas
Reserva Nacional de Paracas is located in the Pisco Province of Ica, Peru, and can be reached by driving south from Lima along the Pan-American Highway for approx. 3 hours. More than 300,000 hectares of the protected area consist largely of Pacific Ocean waters, while the land portion covers the entire Paracas Peninsula. The ochre-red arid desert plunges directly into the deep blue sea, and this seamless connection between desert and ocean is its signature view. There are many worthwhile stops along the peninsula loop: Red Beach features brick-red sand created by the weathering of porphyry cliffs, creating a striking color contrast with the adjacent azure bay, making it a highly photogenic spot within the reserve; the sea cliff observation deck near the Cathedral rock formation is perfect for overlooking the coastline; and a giant geoglyph known as the Candelabra is carved into the cliff on the northern end of the peninsula, which can only be viewed from the sea when taking a boat trip. The nutrient-rich nearshore cold currents often attract flocks of Chilean flamingos to forage in the shallows of Paracas Bay. The observation deck next to the site museum, named after Peruvian archaeologist Tello, is a popular spot for birdwatching, and the museum displays artifacts from the Paracas culture, which is famous for its exquisite textiles. Boat trips offer the opportunity to see groups of sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and seabirds covering the reefs up close.Pisco Province · 65.6 km from Ica
Malecón de Miraflores
Malecón de Miraflores is located in the Miraflores district of Lima, the capital of Peru. It is a coastal promenade built on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, stretching nearly 10 km. From north to south, it connects three coastal green spaces: Marina, Cisneros, and Reserva. On one side are garden neighborhoods, and on the other is the vast Pacific Ocean. It is a go-to spot for Lima residents for daily walks, jogging, and cycling. The pedestrian and bicycle paths are separated, and the route is lined with flower beds, sculptures, and viewing platforms, offering both leisurely strolls and the opportunity to cycle along the entire coastline. Malecón de Miraflores sits atop cliffs dozens of meters high, with waves constantly crashing against the rocks below. It is especially popular in the evening; finding a bench facing the sea to watch the sun slowly sink into the Pacific Ocean is a memorable experience for many visiting Lima.Peru · Miraflores
Experiences you can't miss in Ica
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Free things to do in Ica
Parque De Las Brujas De Cachiche
Ica · 1.7 km from downtownCanon de los Perdidos
Ica · 79.1 km from downtownDesierto De Ica
Ica · 4.6 km from downtownLas Ballestas
Lima · 81.1 km from IcaLos Aquijes, Sunampe
Ica · 3.8 km from downtownNazca Lines
Nazca Province · 98.4 km from IcaLima Main Square
Peru · LimaCentro Historico
Peru · LimaReserva Nacional de Paracas
Pisco Province · 65.6 km from IcaMalecón de Miraflores
Peru · Miraflores
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What travelers say about Ica
M25***4016 April 2021
4.0
We signed up for a local tour group, and they picked us up at the hotel very early. There weren't many people in the group, and we loved it. The landforms here are breathtaking.
Canon de los Perdidos
泰宁根吴承恩27 April 2020
4.0
You need to take a boat out to visit the Bird Island. This is a real Bird Island. The residents on it are birds. It is said that the Peruvians in the past used the guano on the Bird Island as fertilizer for farming.
Las Ballestas
Nemo66699910 July 2026
5.0
According to user reviews of those who have visited the Nazca Lines, the best experience is a 30-35 minute flight; for those on a limited budget, the observation tower on the Panamericana Wall is a quick and inexpensive option. Viewing from both the ground and the air is recommended to fully grasp the scale and mystery of the lines.
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✈️ Flight Experience
- Duration: 30-35 minutes (from Nazca), 1 hour 35 minutes (from Pisco/Paracas).
- Price: From Nazca, approximately 85-120 USD per person + airport tax (~S/30) + tourist ticket (S/47). From Pisco, 280-380 USD.
- Figures you will see: Monkey, Hummingbird, Spider, Condor, Astronaut, Tree, Hands.
- Advantages: Opportunity to grasp the full scale and geometry of the lines. Ideal for photography.
- Cons: Sharp turns in small planes can upset the stomach; morning hours are quieter.
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🗼 Observation Tower (Mirador)
- Location: On the Panamericana Wall, 20 km north of Nazca.
- Height: 13 m (43 ft).
- Price: S/3–S/7 entrance fee.
- Figures you will see: Tree, Hands, part of the Lizard.
- Pros: Cheap, fast, suitable for those with a fear of flying.
- Cons: Shows only a small part of the lines.
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🏛️ Museums and Extra Points of Interest
- Antonini Museum (in Nazca city): Presents the historical and archaeological context of the lines.
- Casa Museo María Reiche (on the road to Nazca): The house of the scientist who dedicated her life to the study of the lines.
- Palpa Tower and natural hills: Opportunity to see older Paracas period figures.
Nazca Lines
D31***6120 February 2020
5.0
One thing that you have to say about LIMA is it has some of the most beautiful buildings that I have ever seen. there is a large police presents so you feel very safe providing that you stay in all the tourist in busy areas of the city. I would definitely say LIMA is worth a visit if you are coming to South America
Lima Main Square
仙人掌花花🌸8 August 2023
5.0
Lima, known as the "rainless city", has an average annual temperature of around 18 degrees, making it suitable for living.
Centro Historico
南美当地向导Yolanda16 April 2020
5.0
We welcome tourists from Lima to Paracas, a nature reserve located on the Pacific coast of Peru. The nearby Ballestas Islands are home to many endangered marine animals and birds. It is a world of biodiversity, with about 36 species of marine and terrestrial mammals and 215 migratory birds calling it home. It is recommended to stay for 2 days and 1 night, take a small plane to overlook the Nazca lines, get close to nature, and it is a very good ecological experience!
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Reserva Nacional de Paracas
Arcachon13 January 2024
5.0
For outdoors lovers, no matter what your favorite activities might be, it’s one of the most amazing walkways in the world. The water and never ending long trail…
Malecón de Miraflores
