Location: Paracas and Nazca are two different places but located in the same state at South of Lima, in the central coast. Paracas is a beach so it's at sea level, but Nazca is not so close to the coastline, it's at 600 meters or 2,000 ft. above sea level.

Climate: It's hot and dry during the day, but cold at night (10°C or 50°F). It almost never rain, but in Paracas drizzles are common in winter.

Landscapes: Paracas is a marine reserve, the only one in Peru, and the reason is the quantity of seabirds that stop there in their migration from South to North, and the diversity of sea mammals and fish in the sea in this area. The species that can be seen all year around are sea lions, seals, penguins, sea otters, dolphins and almost 2 hundred species of birds, including Andean condor, flamingoes, pelicans, and of course, seagulls. It are many spots in the reserve, but the most famous is the Ballestas Islands. It's a group of small islands that shelter an enormous number of sea lions and seals. It can be reached by boats and you get very close, it's common that seals and sea lions swim around the boats, great opportunity to take pictures.  Another interesting spot is the Candelabro, a huge (120 meters long) etching in the sand on a hill that faces the sea. It was a signal used by pirates who hided their selfs and their ships there.

History: These territories of Paracas and Nazca were home of two ancient cultures before the Incas. The Paracas was the first one (from 600 BC to 100 AD); but more interesting is the Nazca culture who left one of the biggest mysteries of ancient times, the Nazca Lines.  Between the second and fifth centuries AD, it appeared the Nazca kingdom which developed new agriculture techniques and irrigation systems to convert the deserts into fertile valleys. They built aqueducts and dams that still work nowadays, and also a huge city, Cahuachi. Its remains can be visited, as the remains of its cemetery, Chauchilla. Both archaeological sites are very close to Nazca city.  

But the most interesting spot are the Nazca Lines, a group of 32 huge figures carved in the ground of desert plains with the shapes of animals (monkey, whale, fish, dog, llama, pelican, seagull, condor, hummingbird, lizard, fish spider, etc.) and plants, and even a human. Its purpose is still a mystery, but most of the experts agree that it was a calendar, or a chart of the stars and constellations. It were done in the 5th century AD by the Nazca people, with a religious purpose, and maybe as channels for irrigation of the desert plains, but the truth is still unknown. The best way to watch it is from the skies, and it are many airlines that do over flights at the Nazca airport.

Customs and feasts: These lands are famous for its drinks based on fermented grape, good wines and the famous Pisco. The Pisco is a Peruvian liquor, a pure grape brandy used to prepare the national cocktail "Pisco Sour", that also includes white eggs, sugar, lime and cinnamon. The best time to try those drinks is at the “Fiesta de la Vendimia” (Vintage festivity) on March in Ica city.

In regard to the local folklore, here is an important community of black people, especially in Chincha, and they are famous for their music and its festive dances.

Activities: In Paracas are beautiful and isolated beaches, but on the other side of the peninsula, not in the Paracas Bay where are the hotels, here the beach is not so nice, and it's not good for swimming because of the presence of seaweed and small ray fish, and the muddy seafloor.

Another thing you can do is sand-boarding near Ica city. There are incredible dunes close to the city and you can rent sand-boards in travel agencies in the city. It's also an oasis with a lagoon near the city, the name is Huacachina, it's very relaxing.

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