How to get from Lima to Nazca
Are you wondering how to get from Lima to Nazca in Peru?
Despite being located along the main backpacking route through Southern Peru, Nazca isn’t quite as popular as other destinations like Arequipa and Cusco.
We however think it’s really worth the visit, where we can see the breathtaking Nazca Lines, head to the chilling Chauchilla Cemetery as well as enjoy a more laidback Peruvian town.
Lima to Nazca
In this guide we’ll explore some of the most popular ways of getting from Lima to Nazca. We’ll also take a look at where to stay as well as some other tips based on our time spent here.
Nazca Quick Summary:
📍 Where is it: Southern Peru
🗺 Difficulty Getting There: Moderate/Easy
⏱ Time needed: 2-3 days
☀️ Best Time to Visit: January-March
Where is Nazca?
Nazca is a small Peruvian city which is situated in the arid south of the country. Given its location, it means that it virtually never rains here, and also has hot days as well as cool nights (similar to that of Arequipa). This is very typical of a desert, and the Nazca desert in particular is very dry.
This means that pretty much any month of the year is good for a visit, given there are hardly any rains. The temperatures however do vary, and at night it can get quite cold. The months with the warmest lows are best, which fall between December until April.
Is Nazca worth visiting from Lima?
Given its prime location within Southern Peru, Nazca is a great place to make a stop-off at when traveling between destinations like Lima and Arequipa.
The Nazca Lines are by far the most impressive site worth visiting, where you can either climb a mirador or head on the epic flight to see these mysterious shapes that were carved into the earth some 2000 years ago.
You can also see other local gems too such as Chauchilla Cemetery, as well as the infamous spiraling ruins which are known as the Acueductos de Cantalloc.
Although there is no airport here, actually getting to Nazca is relatively straightforward and can be done as a day trip from Lima. If this is something that you want to do, then it’s best to head on this organized tour as you’ll cut transport times down (using private transport), and already have your flight over the Nazca Lines pre-arranged.
How far is Nazca from Lima?
Nazca is located roughly 428 km south of Lima. In total this can be driven in around 6-7 hours, which makes Nazca a possible day trip for those up for a real adventure (which we’ve explored above and will also take another look at later in this article).
Having said that, it’s worth considering your itinerary before heading back to Lima. This is because Nazca is located in a strategic area, where you can then take direct buses to either Cusco, Arequipa or Ica all in a relatively short period of time.
Where to stay in Nazca?
Most travelers spend a night or two in Nazca before moving on, and we also recommend it since it’s hard to see all of the best highlights in just a day (unless going with a tour). The best area to stay in Nazca is close to the Plaza de Armas, where we’ll find the best amenities, accommodation and restaurants.
If you want to stick to a low backpacking budget, then we suggest staying at the Hostal Continental. As well as having cheap dorm beds, they also offer private rooms too and are located just a few blocks from the bustling Plaza de Armas.
Those who are after an upgrade (or a nice private room) can stay at the Hotel Arequipa. They provide various rooms (such as King and Queen sized) which all come with private bathrooms. As well as serving a continental breakfast daily, they also have a swimming pool on-site too.
Are you looking for a more luxurious and memorable stay? Then the Casa Andina Standard Nasca is the perfect place for you. This hotel has an incredible design lined with palm trees and a swimming pool, which also has an on-site restaurant. The rooms here are also top-notch, which are great for a good night’s sleep after exploring Nazca for the day.
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How to get from Lima to Nazca
As previously mentioned, Nazca is a pretty small city so there is no airport here. The only way to get here is overland, and through our experience we’ve found 3 main ways of making the trip (at this time of writing).
Bus from Lima to Nazca
The bus continues to be the most popular option (given there is no local airport to fly into here), which takes around 7-8 hours to arrive from Lima.
Various companies serve the route daily, such as CIVA and Cruz del Sur. A one-way fare starts from around $25, although you can get it cheaper if heading to the terminal and buying a few hours before departure.
Given that Ica is situated along the way (which is a must-visit for the oasis town of Huacachina), there’s a good chance you’ll be stopping here before. If that’s the case for you, then the 3 hour bus from Ica to Nazca leaves frequently throughout the day and costs roughly $10.
Driving from Lima to Nazca
Another option (although the least popular for various reasons) is to drive from Lima to Nazca.
The main benefit is that you can cut travel times to just 6 hours, which makes it more manageable if heading on a day trip here independently.
However driving in Peru is pretty chaotic to say the least, where traffic laws and rules are infringed as often as you blink an eye. This means it’s only ideal if you head with someone from here (unless of course you are from Peru or a similar Latin American nation and are used to the roads).
Small Group Tour of Nazca from Lima
Are you stuck for time and only have a day to explore Nazca? Then this all-action day tour is a perfect option for seeing the incredible Nazca Lines as well as the other must-visit gems found throughout this desert region.
Here you’ll have hotel pick-up and drop-off included, where you’ll travel in a private, air-conditioned van to Nazca. You’ll have your 30 minute flight over the Nazca Lines included, where your pilot will explain the history and point-out several different shapes that were created.
You can also select a private tour option here (which is fully customisable depending on you and your party’s preferences). With this option you can also stop-off at Huacachina on the way to go Sandboarding and visit the giant dunes of the Ica Desert.
How to get around Nazca
The actual city of Nazca itself has very little to do or see, so you’ll find you can easily walk everywhere. This again is why it’s most practical to stay near the Plaza de Armas.
Getting from the bus station to the center of town isn’t too far, however those with more luggage (or are tired) can easily hail a cab to take them there.
Of course there are public buses which you can use to get around the city (we didn’t use these given there was no need).
Getting from Lima to Nazca
And that’s all for this guide on how to get from Lima to Nazca.
Located within the Nazca desert, this small city is a great place to visit for a few days when traveling around Southern Peru. As well as flying over the legendary Nazca Lines, here we can also explore novel sites such as Chauchilla Cemetery and the Acueductos de Cantalloc.
In this guide we’ve explored how to get from Lima to Nazca, as well as where to stay and what to do.
While you’re still here, be sure to read our Backpacking Peru Itinerary to see how you can best use your time when heading around this epic South American nation.
👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.
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