Things to do in Ica
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Museo Regional de Ica
In suburban San Isidro, don’t miss this gem of a museum. It has an impressive collection of artifacts from the Paracas, Nazca and Inca cultures, including superb examples of Paracas weavings, as well as textiles made of feathers. There are beautiful Nazca ceramics, scarily well-preserved mummies of everything from children to a small macaw, trepanned skulls and shrunken trophy heads, enormous wigs and tresses of hair. Out back look for a scale model of the Nazca Lines.
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Museo Cabrera Piedra
On the Plaza de Armas, the Museo Cabrera Piedra has an oddball collection of thousands of carved stones and boulders graphically depicting diverse pre-Columbian themes, from astronomy to surgical techniques and sexual practices. The eccentric collector, Dr Cabrera, claimed the stones were ancient, but they're very likely elaborate fakes. If you'd rather not pay, you can sneak a peek at some of the carvings outside the museum entrance.
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Guadalupe
The most convenient of Ica's small family-owned artisanal bodegas are found in the suburb of Guadalupe, less than 3km from Ica on the road to Lima. There are many stalls selling huge bottles of various kinds of pisco, wine, fruit, jams etc. Micros bound for Guadalupe (US$0.30, 15 minutes) pass by Iglesia de San Francisco near Ica's Plaza de Armas, or else you can catch a cab.
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Museo Cabrera Piedra
On the Plaza de Armas, this unsigned museum has an oddball collection of thousands of carved stones and boulders graphically depicting diverse pre-Columbian themes, from astronomy to surgical techniques and sexual practices. The eccentric collector, Dr Cabrera, claimed the stones were ancient, though there is local speculation as to whether they may be elaborate fakes.
reviewed
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Bodega El Catador
- Ica, Peru
- Activities › Winery
A touristy bodega, located less than 10km north of Ica, Bodega El Catador lets tourists join in a symbolic stomping of the grapes during February and March, and runs free tours and wine and pisco tastings all year. It also has a restaurant that serves local specialties and occasionally has live music. A taxi should cost about S7 each way.
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Bodega Ocucaje
Some of Peru’s finest wine comes from Bodega Ocucaje, but unfortunately it’s fairly isolated, over 30km south of Ica off Carr Panamericana Sur. Hiring a taxi to reach the winery costs around S30 each way, or you can join a local tour leaving from Ica.
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Bodega Vista Alegre
Bodega Vista Alegre, 3km northeast of Ica in the La Tinguiña district, is the easiest of the large commercial wineries to visit (taxi one-way S5). It’s best to go in the morning, as the winery occasionally closes in the afternoon.
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Iglesia de La Merced
Ica’s cathedral, Iglesia de La Merced, was rebuilt in the late 19th century and contains a finely carved wooden altar, though the effects of the 2007 earthquake are clearly visible in its crumpling steeple.
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El Otro Peñoncito
Ica’s most historic and characterful restaurant serves a varied menu of Peruvian and international fare that includes plenty of options for vegetarians. The formal bartenders here shake a mean pisco sour , too.
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Bodega Tacama
Producing the right stuff, Bodega Tacama, 11km northeast of Ica, offers interesting tours of its industrial facilities. Again, you’ll have to hire a taxi to get here (S15 each way).
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Restaurant Venezia
In a new location about 2.5km south of the town center, Venezia is a popular family-run Italian restaurant. Allow plenty of time, as all plates are made fresh upon ordering.
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Don Fernando
- Ica, Peru
- Restaurants › Other
Located across from Restaurante Venezia in the suburb of San Isidro, this bakery and cafe offers innovative sandwich and snack options with the freshest ingredients.
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Santuario de El Señor de Luren
The Santuario de El Señor de Luren boasts an image of the patron saint that is venerated by pilgrims during Semana Santa and again in October.
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Pekados
South of the plaza along Lima, local bars and clubs advertise live music, DJs and dancing. One of the least seedy options is Pekados.
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Barena
South of the plaza along Lima, local bars and clubs advertise live music, DJs and dancing. Barena is one of the least seedy options.
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Anita
- Ica, Peru
- Restaurants › Café
Right smack on the Plaza de Armas, this elegant cafe dishes up heaping plates of regional Peruvian specialties, plus lip-smacking desserts.
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Helena
- Ica, Peru
- Restaurants › Other
One of several shops in the streets east of the plaza selling tejas (caramel-wrapped candies flavored with fruits, nuts etc.
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Hotel de Turistas
- Ica, Peru
- Entertainment › Club
The craziest late-night disco is on the north side of the Hotel de Turistas, 3km southwest of the plaza.
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El Paraidiso
Serves filling vegetarian meals for small change, as well as other plates featuring meat alternatives.
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Iglesia de San Francisco
The hulking Iglesia de San Francisco has some fine stained-glass windows.
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