Nazca Getting there & around

Getting there & around

Bus & tram

Bus & taxi

Nazca is a major destination for buses on the Panamericana and is easy to get to from Lima, Ica or Arequipa. Bus companies cluster at the west end of Lima, near the óvalo (main roundabout). Buses to Arequipa generally originate in Lima, and to get a seat you have to pay the Lima fare. Be aware that hijackings and violent robberies have recently occurred on night buses, especially between Nazca and Arequipa, so take an overnight service only at your own risk.

Almost all services to Lima (US$5 to US$22.50, eight hours), Arequipa (US$7 to US$36, 10 to 12 hours) and for those heading to Chile, Tacna (US$7 to US$30, 13 to 15 hours), leave in the late afternoon or evening. Those bound for Arequipa will often stop en route upon request at Chala (US$3, three hours) and Camaná (US$6, seven hours). Cruz del Sur (52 3713) and Ormeño (52 2058) have a few luxury buses daily to Lima. Intermediate points such as Ica and Pisco are more speedily served by smaller, though less-safe económico bus companies, such as Flores.

To go direct to Cuzco (US$15 to US$30, 14 hours), several companies, including Cruz del Sur, take the paved road east via Abancay. This route climbs over 4000m and gets very cold, so wear your warmest clothes and bring your sleeping bag on board if you have one. The alternative is to go via Arequipa, where you can transfer to a more comfortable Cuzco-bound bus along an entirely paved route.

For Ica, fast colectivo taxis (US$3.60, two hours) and slower minibuses (US$2.70, 2½ hours) leave when full from near the gas station on the óvalo. On the south side of the main roundabout, antiquated colectivo taxis wait for enough passengers to make the run down to Chala (US$3.50, 2½ hours).

A taxi from central Nazca to the aerodrome, 2km away, costs about US$1.

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Air

People who fly into Nazca normally fly over the Nazca Lines and return the same day. Aero Condor Perú offers overflight tour packages for small groups departing from Ica and Lima.

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