Palpa lies between the Palpa and Vizcas rivers. At the Plaza de Armas, well-kept features of the square meet buildings shaped by the colonial period; nearby, geoglyphs and petroglyphs take center stage. This combination makes Palpa interesting for travelers who want to pair visits to archaeological sites with a look at the town itself.
Getting your bearings and getting there
Palpa’s tourist information office is located at Portal Escribanos 143–145. Check the address before your trip. From Ica’s Plaza, you can reach the Plaza de Armas in Palpa by private car via a paved 100 km route in about two hours. Actual travel time may vary.
The Plaza de Armas is landscaped with multicolored bougainvillea and ornamental fountains. It offers a useful reference point for getting your bearings among the local sights: the portals shaped by the colonial period and the San Cristóbal Temple are part of the townscape, while other archaeological sites lie nearby.
Nearby geoglyphs and petroglyphs
The nearby Telar de Sacramento is 2 km northwest of Palpa’s Plaza de Armas. The geoglyph complex consists of lines, spirals and trapezoids, and was created during the early phase of the Nasca culture, from 0 to 250 AD. Since July 14, 2016, Telar de Sacramento has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage property “Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa.” From the parking lot, steps lead to the viewpoint.
Chichictara offers a different archaeological focus: in this rocky area, which stretches over 3 km, more than 400 petroglyphs lie on the hillsides. A guide is required for the visit. Visitors can hike to the petroglyphs and photograph them. This means two distinct forms of prehistoric art can be found nearby: the geometric ground drawings of Telar de Sacramento and the depictions carved into rock at Chichictara.
Colonial buildings and exhibitions
Palpa itself is also worth exploring for its architecture. Portal de Escribanos has 27 arches and Portal de Botoneros has 29; both are designated environmental monuments. San Cristóbal Temple is one of the sights shaped by the colonial period. Casona San Agustín also has a colonial style. Agencia Agraria is housed in Casona Ferrer, another building in this style.
An exhibition in Palpa is located opposite the Plaza de Armas, on the second floor of the provincial administration building. A chronological exhibition traces the development of the Paracas, Nasca, Huari, Ica-Chincha and Inca cultures in the Palpa valleys and includes original ceramics. Another exhibition presents finds from Jauranga, Los Molinos and La Muña, three excavation sites of the Nasca-Palpa Archaeological Project. The exhibition balcony offers a better view of the Plaza de Armas, its portals shaped by the colonial period and San Cristóbal Temple. Talks on Palpa’s cultural heritage are occasionally offered to school students or interested tourists; check availability in advance.
Landscape and local flavors
Those who want to take in the surrounding landscape as well as archaeological sites will find the nearby Manantial de la Máquina north of Palpa, a natural spring 1 km from town. From May to October, migratory birds may be seen there, including Polla de agua, Martín pescador, Garza huaco and Grulla moteada. The seasonal period and the possibility of birdwatching give this destination a different character from the archaeological sites.
Seasonal fruits are also part of the local character: Palpa’s microclimate gives oranges and mangoes a distinctive sweetness and rich color. During patron saint feast days, a warm peanut and sesame ponche is served with sandwiches. These culinary traditions complement the buildings and archaeological sites with local produce and festival customs.
Discover more destinations: Chincha Alta, Cerro Prieto, Puerto Caballas, El Carmen, Pueblo Nuevo.
Back to the main travel overview: Ica.
