Weather in Coastal Peru
The climate does vary a little along the different parts of the coastal region, for example the northern areas can get a lot hotter than the south. The climate in the southern coastal area is typical very dry all year round. It also tends to stay mild all year, without getting unbearable hot due to the cooling affect from the cold currents in the Pacific. However, don’t forget you are in a tropical area and the sun can be very strong. Generally the weather is dry and warm and won't impede any travel plans.
South from Lima
The Pan-American Highway runs the entire length of Peru’s coast and makes bus travel the best way to make your way down the coast. The main towns south of Lima are Pisco, then Ica, followed by Nazca. These towns are all with in a few hours of each other (see bus travel times in our resources pages for detailed information) and when you look to leave Nazca it’s decision time as to where to continue your journey.
Pisco, the Paracas National Reserve and Islas Ballestas
Peruvians know Pisco as the home of the spirit Pisco (a white brandy) and famous cocktail the Pisco sour, which seems to make sense given the name of the town. However if you go to Chile to discuss this, you will be told that Pisco was actually invented there. Either way, Pisco is a good place to make your first stop, as it’s the closest town to the Paracas National Reserve and the Islas Ballestas. Pisco itself doesn’t have too much to see or do, but being a fishing port, is a great place to try the traditional Peruvian dish of ceviche, which is essentially raw fish, cured in lime juice. We organized our accommodation on arrival, and there is generally more rooms in the town than visitors, so no need to book in advance.
The climate does vary a little along the different parts of the coastal region, for example the northern areas can get a lot hotter than the south. The climate in the southern coastal area is typical very dry all year round. It also tends to stay mild all year, without getting unbearable hot due to the cooling affect from the cold currents in the Pacific. However, don’t forget you are in a tropical area and the sun can be very strong. Generally the weather is dry and warm and won't impede any travel plans.
South from Lima
The Pan-American Highway runs the entire length of Peru’s coast and makes bus travel the best way to make your way down the coast. The main towns south of Lima are Pisco, then Ica, followed by Nazca. These towns are all with in a few hours of each other (see bus travel times in our resources pages for detailed information) and when you look to leave Nazca it’s decision time as to where to continue your journey.
Pisco, the Paracas National Reserve and Islas Ballestas
Peruvians know Pisco as the home of the spirit Pisco (a white brandy) and famous cocktail the Pisco sour, which seems to make sense given the name of the town. However if you go to Chile to discuss this, you will be told that Pisco was actually invented there. Either way, Pisco is a good place to make your first stop, as it’s the closest town to the Paracas National Reserve and the Islas Ballestas. Pisco itself doesn’t have too much to see or do, but being a fishing port, is a great place to try the traditional Peruvian dish of ceviche, which is essentially raw fish, cured in lime juice. We organized our accommodation on arrival, and there is generally more rooms in the town than visitors, so no need to book in advance.
Southern Coast of Peru | Nazca Lines
The Paracas National Reserve can be reached in 10 -15 minutes from Pisco, and we took a very reasonably priced taxi. To enter the reserve there is a small fee of around $3, and there you will see a variety of sea birds, as well as other marine life.
On arrival we were told that trips to see the Islas Ballestas were in the mornings only so we boarded a boat almost immediately. For a cost of around $12 per person we had a guided tour of the islands (in Spanish) as part of a larger group (It is also possible to take these trips from Pisco). When out on the ocean you get a better view of some of the marine life, and it’s possible to see dolphins, whales, sea lions, penguins and turtles. The marine life is attracted by the cold Pacific currents that carry vast quantities of plankton for them to feed on. There was quite a cool breeze when out on the boat, but don’t let this stop you putting on sunscreen as the sun was very strong and many people got sunburnt.
On arrival we were told that trips to see the Islas Ballestas were in the mornings only so we boarded a boat almost immediately. For a cost of around $12 per person we had a guided tour of the islands (in Spanish) as part of a larger group (It is also possible to take these trips from Pisco). When out on the ocean you get a better view of some of the marine life, and it’s possible to see dolphins, whales, sea lions, penguins and turtles. The marine life is attracted by the cold Pacific currents that carry vast quantities of plankton for them to feed on. There was quite a cool breeze when out on the boat, but don’t let this stop you putting on sunscreen as the sun was very strong and many people got sunburnt.
Ica and Huacachina
The next stop on our trip down the Peruvian coast was the town of Ica. When our bus arrived in Ica, we were straight in a taxi to take us to near by Huacachina. Huacachina is well known to travellers as a very small town built around the desert oasis. The town itself actually has very few permanent residents, as is essentially a tourist resort. If our trip round the Paracas Nature Reserve was cultured, this was certainly little more than a bunch of backpackers out for a good time. The hotels and hostels there, all offer sand boarding and dune buggy rides, with the accommodation centred on outdoor swimming pools and poolside bars. It was great fun for a couple of nights but I wouldn’t advise staying there for too long. The bar prices aren’t too bad, but expensive compared to the rest of Peru. We actually headed in Ica for a night out and the locals in the bars and clubs there were very friendly and inquisitive to a point that suggests few gringos ever make the short trip from Huacachina and the overpriced Pisco sours.
The next stop on our trip down the Peruvian coast was the town of Ica. When our bus arrived in Ica, we were straight in a taxi to take us to near by Huacachina. Huacachina is well known to travellers as a very small town built around the desert oasis. The town itself actually has very few permanent residents, as is essentially a tourist resort. If our trip round the Paracas Nature Reserve was cultured, this was certainly little more than a bunch of backpackers out for a good time. The hotels and hostels there, all offer sand boarding and dune buggy rides, with the accommodation centred on outdoor swimming pools and poolside bars. It was great fun for a couple of nights but I wouldn’t advise staying there for too long. The bar prices aren’t too bad, but expensive compared to the rest of Peru. We actually headed in Ica for a night out and the locals in the bars and clubs there were very friendly and inquisitive to a point that suggests few gringos ever make the short trip from Huacachina and the overpriced Pisco sours.
I’ve heard people question before, whether the flights over the lines can be done from other towns like Cusco or Lima. The short answer to that is no, however there is an excursion from Lima over the lines, but you have to fly to Ica and change planes there. The flights in Nazca are the best option and can be arranged at short notice, and don’t need to be booked prior to you arriving in Nazca. We paid $50 each for the flight over the lines. This is actually more than it should have been, as there were only three of us in a plane that could have taken four - you’d normally be expected to pay around $40 per person. The Nazca lines themselves are spectacular, however I didn’t enjoy the flight as much as I thought I would. I don’t think it’s the best way to see them as you have to crane your next to look out of the window as the pilot circles over the main lines in stomach churning fashion. With the sun beating down into the small cabin of the plane, and the ceviche in my stomach reminding me what I had just had for lunch, it wasn’t the most comfortable experience. It is however, the only way to see them and still worth doing, however I won’t be going back until they start doing hot air balloon trips over them.
The sand boarding and the dune buggy trips are great fun, and well worth a day of your time. The landscape there is amazing, and prior to arriving in Peru, I knew nothing of the desert area. I had always associated Peru with the Andes Mountains and the Amazon Rainforest, but was pleasantly surprised by this additional diversity.
Nazca Lines
Probably the most famous attraction on the coast of Peru is the site of the Nazca Lines. The town itself is not a huge draw, and most visit exclusively for the flight over the lines. If you have a few hours to kill, take a trip to see the fossils out in the nearby desert. The arid climate has helped preserve the skeletons of now-extinct sea creatures, including whales and huge sharks known as Megaladon Shark.
Nazca Lines
Probably the most famous attraction on the coast of Peru is the site of the Nazca Lines. The town itself is not a huge draw, and most visit exclusively for the flight over the lines. If you have a few hours to kill, take a trip to see the fossils out in the nearby desert. The arid climate has helped preserve the skeletons of now-extinct sea creatures, including whales and huge sharks known as Megaladon Shark.
Then where?
Buses from Nazca either carry on down the Pan-American Highway, which goes right on down through Chile. This is the route to take if you are heading south to either Arequipa, Tacna, or indeed to Chile. We took the night bus from Nazca that wound up into the Andes, starting from only a few dozen metres above sea level up to Cusco, which stands at more than 3000m (around 10,000 ft). It’s certainly worth spending around a week making your way down the coast south of Lima. The towns themselves aren’t particularly interesting, but there are certainly some fascinating things to see along the way like the wonderful nature reserve at Paracas and the Nazca lines, thought to pre date the Inca Empire by over a thousand years.
Jen Neufeld- 20th December 2006
Buses from Nazca either carry on down the Pan-American Highway, which goes right on down through Chile. This is the route to take if you are heading south to either Arequipa, Tacna, or indeed to Chile. We took the night bus from Nazca that wound up into the Andes, starting from only a few dozen metres above sea level up to Cusco, which stands at more than 3000m (around 10,000 ft). It’s certainly worth spending around a week making your way down the coast south of Lima. The towns themselves aren’t particularly interesting, but there are certainly some fascinating things to see along the way like the wonderful nature reserve at Paracas and the Nazca lines, thought to pre date the Inca Empire by over a thousand years.
Jen Neufeld- 20th December 2006
The geography of Peru is split into three main regions, and most well known to visitors is the Andes Mountain region, home to cities such as Arequipa and Cusco. East of the Andes, lies the Amazon rainforest, and this boasts a wealth of opportunity for the adventurous traveller. (see Amazon Rainforest Information) The most heavily populated area of Peru is the thin coastal region, and is home the country’s capital, Lima. Most travellers arriving in Peru will touch down in Lima, but continue their journey immediately heading up into the mountains. However there are many sights to see and places to visit on the coastal areas of Peru, and if you have the luxury of time, you can make your way to the more well known mountain regions whilst taking in some areas of the coast.
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