In the suburban neighborhood of San Isidro, Ica pulls out its trump card: a museum befitting a city three times the size. While it might not be the…
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Ica
Just when you thought the landscape was dry enough for martians, out jumps Ica, Peru’s agricultural ‘miracle in the desert’ that churns out bumper crop after bumper crop of asparagus, cotton and fruits, as well as laying claim to being the nation’s leading (and best) wine producer. Ica, like Pisco, sustained significant earthquake damage in 2007 – the graceful cathedral and two other churches were significantly damaged and are undergoing lengthy repairs.
Most people who make it this far bed down in Huacachina 2.5 miles (4km) to the west, but Ica has reasons to be cheerful too: the south coast’s best museum (outside Arequipa) resides here, plus – arguably – the finest winery in Peru. If Nazca seems too much of a circus, it’s also possible to organize Nazca Line excursions from Ica – the desert etchings lie 1½ hours to the south.
Explore Ica
- MMuseo Regional de Ica
In the suburban neighborhood of San Isidro, Ica pulls out its trump card: a museum befitting a city three times the size. While it might not be the…
- IIglesia de La Merced
Ica’s cathedral was the last church the Jesuits built in Peru before their expulsion. It was rebuilt in the late 19th century and contains a finely carved…
- IIglesia de San Francisco
This hulking church withstood the 2007 earthquake and continues to show off its fine stained-glass windows.
- SSantuario de El Señor de Luren
The original republican-era church on this site was badly hit by the 2007 earthquake when the tower fell onto the nave. It was famed for the image of the…
- MMuseo 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…
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Ica.
See
Museo Regional de Ica
In the suburban neighborhood of San Isidro, Ica pulls out its trump card: a museum befitting a city three times the size. While it might not be the…
See
Iglesia de La Merced
Ica’s cathedral was the last church the Jesuits built in Peru before their expulsion. It was rebuilt in the late 19th century and contains a finely carved…
See
Iglesia de San Francisco
This hulking church withstood the 2007 earthquake and continues to show off its fine stained-glass windows.
See
Santuario de El Señor de Luren
The original republican-era church on this site was badly hit by the 2007 earthquake when the tower fell onto the nave. It was famed for the image of the…
See
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…
Guidebooks
Learn more about Ica
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