Peru - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 766

NAZCA AND AROUND
The small, sun-baked town of NAZCA
spreads along the margin of a small
coastal valley. Although the river is
invariably dry, Nazca's valley remains
green and fertile through the continued
application of ancient subterranean
aqueducts. These days, the town is
one of Peru's major attractions, and
though most travellers come here solely
to take a flight over the enigma that
is the Nazca Lines (see p.773), other
local attractions include the excellent
Museo Didáctico Antonini , the adobe
Inca ruins of Paredones on the
outskirts, and the popular (if somewhat
macabre) outlying archeological sites,
such as the nearby Chauchilla Cemetery
and the Cahuachi pyramids , an hour's
drive into the desert.

9

around dimly lit pools. If the picture-
postcard lagoon looks familiar, that's
because you've seen it on the S50 notes.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By colectivo Colectivos run every 30min, or until full,
from near the kiosks at the entrance of the lagoon in
Huacachina to the Plaza de Armas in Ica (S2).
By mototaxi A mototaxi between Ica and Huacachina
should cost no more than S5.

ACCOMMODATION
All hostels below either run their own sandboarding,
dune-buggy and bodega tours, or they can organize
them for you. Much of the nightlife in Huacachina revolves
around the hostels, which usually have their own
restaurants and bars, and throw raucous pool parties in
the evenings.
Casa de Arena Perotti s/n T 056 215 274, W casade
arena.net. Huacachina's party hostel has raucous nightly
pool parties and an a liated club (with free entry for
guests) playing electronica and Peruvian tracks. The party
goes on all night, as does the noise - join in or bring
earplugs. The simple yet colourful wi-fi enabled rooms are
mostly set around the poo l and the re's a large eighteen-
bunk dorm too. Dorms S25 , doubles S60
Curasi Balneario de Huacachina 197 T 056 216 989,
W huacachinacurasi.com. Slightly less backpackery than
the other options in that it is a quiet three-star hotel
including more of a Peruvian clientele, the secure Curasi
has neat and tid y roo ms giving onto a pleasant pool area
with deckchairs. S100
Hostal Desert Nights By the lagoon T 056 228 458,
W bookingbox.org.uk/desertnights. Right by the lagoon,
this popular backpacker choice has four eight-bunk dorms
(no doubles) and a perpetually packed restaurant serving
international grub such as burgers (S15-20; veggie burger
S15) and sandwiches (S6-15). Thir sty gullets can opt for
a jug of pisco sour (S35). Dorms S22

WHAT TO SEE AND DO
he Plaza de Armas is the heart of Nazca.
Jr. Bolognesi is the main street leading
away from it and there are numerous
restaurants, bars and hostels to be found
within a couple of blocks of the Plaza de
Armas and Plaza Bolognesi, three blocks
to the west.

Museo Didáctico Antonini
If you head east from the Plaza de
Armas along Avenida de La Cultura
you soon come to the fascinating
Museo Didáctico Antonini (daily
9am-7pm; S15). he museum stretches
for six long blocks from the Plaza de
Armas along Bolognesi and presents
excellent interpretative exhibits covering
the evolution of Nazca culture, with
superb examples of pottery, household
tools and trophy skulls with pierced
foreheads. There's a good audiovisual
show and scale-model reconstructions
of local ruins such as the Templo del
Escalonado at Cahuachi. The museum
complex includes an archeological
park that contains the Bisambra
aqueduct (once fed by the Bisambra
reservoir higher up the valley) and
some burial reconstructions. The
exhibit labels are in Spanish but you
can pick up translation booklets at
the front desk.

EATING
La Casa de Bamboo Perotti s/n, behind the Hostería
Suiza . This laidback family-run veggie restaurant with
tables dotted around the garden offers healthy breakfasts
(S9), delicious chocolate fudge brownies (S8) and green
tea (S5). Veggie and vegan dishes include Thai curry (S18)
and pasta dishes (S12-16), as well as exquisite home-
made hummus (S8). Mon-Sat 8.30am-3pm; Thurs, Fri &
Sat also open 6-10pm.
Curasi As you enter the lagoon. Tourism only hit
Huacachina a decade ago but this place has been going
for five; the elderly owners serve tasty ceviche (S20), soups
(S8-20), cheap breakfasts (S8-9) and all manner of mains
(S10-28). Daily 9am-6pm.