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Central and Southern Coast Region of PeruThe coast of Peru around and south of Lima is a great area for exploring wildlife, Pisco, beaches and sandboarding, natural oases, pre-Columbian history and the White City of Arequipa, the Nazca lines and the extremely deep Colca Canyon. Adventure and sporting opportunities abound. Articles, maps, guided tours and resources for tourism, sightseeing, geography, art and entertainment, sports and recreation, for the Peruvian coast south of Lima/Callao.
Paracas and the Islas Ballestas - Galapagos of Peru
The area offers fantastic wildlife viewing of birds and marine animals, plus a look at the ancient Paracas culture. Barranco
"What was once the number one beach resort in Lima is now a bohemian barrio par excellence'preferred by artists, writers and lovers for its serenity and idyllic atmosphere." Barranco, Peru
"Definitely worth a visit, this is a great place to relax over a chilled beer while you watch the sun go down over Pacific. During the day the pace of life is more gentle here than in the rest of the city, but at night, this is a place for dancing and drinking. " Bright Waters off Peru
"The true-color image above shows a patch of bright water off the coast of Chincha Alta, Peru, roughly 200 km (124 miles) south of Lima." Caral Supe
Facts, photos, cultures and more information about Caral Supe, the ruins of a 5,000-year-old city, located about 120 miles from Lima, and called the "oldest civilization of America." Cañete - Lima
Things to do and see in the area around Lima and south on the Pan American highway include the towns of San Vicente de Cañete, Asia, Calango, Cerro Azul, Chilca, Imperial, Lunahuaná. Details in Spanish. Cerro Azul
Named for the blueish rock above the town, this seaport is now dedicated to tourism based on the waves that attract surfers from many countries. Chilca Valley
"The Chilca Valley was an important traveling route for coastal inhabitants to the highlands. Two major sites have been discovered within this area, namely Tres Ventanas and Kiqche. These two sites are located on the rim of the puna zone about 3900 m above sea level." Chilca
Brief historical background, photos of the Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Asunción and the mud baths. In Spanish. Chincha Alta
"Chincha Alta is an important agricultural town 200km south of Lima, home for many of Peru’s black population, and is the centre of the Afro-Peruano music and dance scene." Chincha Alta.
Attractions and directions to Chincha Alta. Chorrillos
Chorrillos is "famous for its beach resorts at La Herradura, its restaurants, particularly the picanterias (specialising in spicy dishes). The astronomical observatory 'El Planetario' is situated here, built on the historical Morro Solar. From Chorrillos, you can also enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the bay of Lima and out to the island of San Lorenzo in el Callao." Distrito Chorrillos
History, location, attractions and links to other sites in Peru. In Spanish. Hostal Cerro Azul Wave Camp
Combine your lodging and surfing needs in one location. In Spanish. Huacho
Calling itself the Capital of Hospitality, this coastal town north of Lima is proud of its beaches, la Laguna La Encantada, Las Albuferas de Medio Mundo and El Balcón de Huaura. Ica - Huacachina Oasis
"Ica is well known to many travelers in Peru, due to its Huacachina oasis that is situated between enormous sand dunes. The oasis attracts many tourists as well as Peru's rich families, due to the variety of adventurous sand activities that are available, such as sand-boarding and sand tours on special sand buggies." Ica and the Desert Oasis of Huacachina
Ica is "one of the oldest cities in Peru, and was home to the first vineyards in the Americas. Today, this winemaking tradition is alive and well in the area around Ica and the traditional bodegas are just one of the things to see during your visit." Other attractions are Ica Regional Museum, oasis at Huacachina and flights over Nazca. Ica Stones of Peru
Description and photographs of some of stones in the collection of Dr. Javier Cabrera. Ica Travel Guide
"Ica is known as an area of sand, sea, oases and valleys, the cradle of Peru's Creole culture, saints and medicine men, where the best pisco brandy is distilled and where religious fervor is strong in the worship of the Señor de Luren or the Yauca shrine." Ica
"75km from Pisco is Ica, the most important city on the southern coast of Peru (although it is actually 50km from the ocean), and the centre of Peru’s wine and pisco industry, producing some relatively decent wines." Lomas de Lachay National Reserve
"The reserve is located 105 km (65 miles) north from the capital Lima and features a unique mist-fed ecosystem of wild plant and animal species." Lunahuana Adventure Sports Festival
"The main attraction is the fast-running Cañete River, which features rapids up to Class IV. Each year, the valley hosts a festival involving rafting, parasailing, trekking, gliding, mountain biking and fishing competitions." Lunahuana
Descriptions, background and photos. Lunahuaná Photo Gallery
"Andean valley watered by the Mala river, a 188 kilometer drive from Lima going south the Panamerican Highway. Land of honey, wines, pisco, river shrimps, fruits and outdoor sports like river rafting, paragliding, horse rides with sun almost all year round. A place where you can go honey, wine & pisco tasting at the many artisan bodegas (small vinyards 05-36) found in the valley. " Map
Courtesy of Lonely Planet. Pacific War
Brief description of the War of the Pacific in which Peru and Bolivia lost territory to Chile. Paracas Travel Guide
"Paracas is an excellent nature and biodiversity destination for the nature and water sports lovers, it also offers cultural historical attractiveness and it is a good alternative to enjoy relaxing moments." Peru Azul
Places to stay and surf camps in Punta Hermosa, Punta Rocas, San Bartolo, Cerro Azul and other southern coast locales. Peru's Fountain of Youth
"Within the lagoons of Chilca can be found a wonderful mud whose molecular structure is unique on earth. A number of medical doctors and local scientists attribute these unexplainable healing properties to the constant fly over of UFO's that seemingly radiate the waters." Photos of Cañete
Images of Cañete province include city views of San Vicente, Chilca, Lunahuana, Cerro Azul, archaeological ruins and recreational and sporting activities. Pictures of Ica and Huacachina Oasis, Peru
Click on the thumbnail for larger images of sand dunes, sandboarders, dune buggies and a colorful hotel. Provincia de Huaura
The Balcón de Huaura, or balcony, is famous and revered as the location where General Jose de San Martin proclaimed independence for Peru. Pucusana
"The best of the seaside towns south of Lima is Pucusana, a traditional fishing village with a pretty harbour. 60km south of the city, it makes a good break from Lima, and is nice for a day or two in summer." San Vicente de Cañete
"San Vicente de Cañete, commonly known simply as Cañete, is a town in Peru. It is the capital of the Cañete Province, in the Lima Region. The warm and peaceful town of Cañete is located just one and a half hour to the south of Lima( 144 km) and serves, for tourists, primarily as a gateway to the rural adventures of Lunahuaná." Sandboarding and Dune Buggie Tour
Rent a sandboard and have fun at the dunes at Huacachina oasis, near Ica. Sandboarding at Huacachina
"La Huacachina is a beautiful oasis located 5 km southwest from Ica and about 6 minutes drive. Small attractive lagoon and famous for the medicinal properties of its waters. Super landscape surrounded by high sandbanks, palm tree groves and age old Huarango trees (Carob tree). " South Peru Beaches Map
Beaches map, with icons denoting activites, sports, places to stay, archaeological sites, wildlife, resorts, and water sports. |
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