About Ica
In the Ica territory flowered 2 of the most important cultures that lived in this part of the continent. The Paracas culture (600 B. C. - 100 A.D.) and the Naza culture (100 A.D. - 800 A.D.) were the first civilizations of Ica, followed by the Chincha culture (800 A.D. - 1476 A.D.), but there are not many registers of the last one. With the expansion of the Incan Empire, the end of the Chincha culture would arrive, consolidating as new power of the territory of Ica until the arrival of the Spanish and the subsequent conquest. After the foundation by the Spanish, Ica would become a commercial region, characterized by its textile and winemaking industries, which saw its origin in 1540, when Nicolás de Ribera el Viejo produced the first eau-de-vie with the Ica raisins.
Travel tips for Ica
-Ica is sunny most of the year, with a minimum temperature of 42 °F (9°C) and a maximum of 90 °F (32 °C).-In Ica the minimum altitude is 2 meters above the sea level (Paracas) and the maximum is 3796 meters above the sea level (San Pedro de Huacarpana).-From Lima you can take a bus that takes you to Ica in about 5 hours of travel.-If you want to get to know the places and take the maximum advantage of the activities that nature offers you in Ica, you will have to stay at least 3 days.As in any other city in Peru, specially the coastal ones, in Ica you can get around by mini buses (called “colectivos”), combis (buses), taxis or mototaxis. The prices of the tours go from 1 sol to 8 soles depending on the distances.Ica is not a danger city, but it’s always recommended to be cautious. At night is better to get around by taxi, much better if it’s in a group. You should reserve the long trekkings for the day, when it is very nice to go for a walk through the city.