Paracas Bay is renowned for its vibrant marine life, the tranquility and scenic beauty of its beaches, water sports, and nature, represented by the Ballestas Islands in the Paracas National Reserve. However, the cultural facet of this destination is equally surprising and warrants a series of plans to complement your visit.

The pre-Hispanic South

The Site Museum located in the Paracas National Reserve was founded in 1964 and is named after Julio C. Tello, considered the father of Peruvian archaeology, who discovered and researched the Paracas culture (700 BC to 200 AD), which is the mother culture of the Peruvian coast. In 2016, the museum reopened its doors in a new building designed by the award-winning Peruvian architecture firm Barclay & Crousse. Two years later, in 2018, it was named Best New Museum in Latin America by the Leading Culture Destinations Awards.

Not only is the building of great interest to architecture lovers and enthusiasts, but inside, the museum contains impressive textiles and ceramics, characterized by their vibrant colors and geometric, anthropomorphic, and zoomorphic graphics. There are also burial bundles, which show the advanced thinking of the Paracas culture.

A boat trip around Paracas Bay reveals El Candelabro (the chandelier), a geoglyph measuring 180 meters long and estimated to be around 2,500 years old. Its meaning remains a mystery, and it is not the only remnant of the ancient cultures that populated this coast.

An hour from Paracas is Tambo Colorado, a 15th-century Inca settlement that is a must-see for visitors to the Pisco River Valley. Impressive Inca architecture, with a variety of buildings, courtyards, adobe walls, warehouses, dwellings, plazas, and a ceremonial temple reflect the meticulous planning of the Incas. In addition, it has a network of canals and aqueducts that demonstrate the Incas’ skill in water management.

A little further away, three hours but still feasible by car for a full-day trip, are the famous Nazca Lines: a group of pre-Columbian geoglyphs drawn by the Nasca culture (200 BC and 800 AD), which extend across the desert sands over an area of almost 1,000 square kilometers, drawing enigmatic figures (approximately 300), including animals and plants. They can be seen more clearly from the sky, by light aircraft, or from the María Reiche Observation Tower, which allows you to see some figures, such as El Colibrí (the hummingbird), El Lagarto (the lizard) and El Árbol (the tree), from the ground.

Thirty kilometers from the Nasca lines is the Chauchilla cemetery, a pre-Inca necropolis that some associate with the ancient Huari culture and others with the Nasca culture. There you can see remains of the ancient civilization (ceramic and textile fragments), as well as mummies in good condition. And 30 kilometers from the city of Nasca stands the Cahuachi Ceremonial Center, with its hundreds of pyramidal structures. 

Living Culture

An hour’s drive from the Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort, brings you to the city of Ica. It is a lively town, not only because of the year-round sunshine, but also because it is home to many traditions. The music and dances of Ica, predominantly of Afro-Peruvian roots, are a source of joy and pride and invite you to experience them. Religious and community festivals, such as the Hatajo de Negritos and Las Pallitas, which take place during the Christmas season, are particularly noteworthy.

Other musical and dance expressions include the festejo and the alcatraz, which are especially evident during the grape harvest in March, an event that celebrates the wine and pisco culture of the region.

Finally, do not miss a visit to Icas historic wineries and distilleries, such as Tacama (the first vineyard in South America, founded in 1540), La Caravedo (the oldest operating distillery in America, founded in 1684), and Vista Alegre (founded in 1857). The pisco and wine route winds through the valleys of Ica, offering visitors the chance to taste the flagship drinks of the region, learn about the production process, and discover its wine-making history. In addition, the wineries offer local cuisine and other activities, such as watching Paso horses or marinera dances. And at the end of the day, among vineyards, traditional dances and drinks, you can relax in the pool at the hotel in Paracas, immersing yourself completely in the cultural life of this coastal destination.