Nazca Health and Safety

Travelers need to be extremely wary of peddlers that bombard tourists once they reach the small city. These people, claiming to be from reputable hotels or agencies – but more often than not representing risky and even non-existent ones – will try to use convincing lines to convince you to stay at their establishment. By all means, do not pay attention! Business with these shady “agents” could put you in high risk of being over-charged, or worse, robbed. Do not be lured and rest assured that our hotels and guides from Peru For Less are of the highest caliber. Taxi drivers also sometimes double up as “guides” but they almost always only speak Spanish or are in business with the peddlers.

Useful information: the Nazca airport tax is exactly S/.20. No one should charge you anything more. A supposed “earthquake tax” does not exist. However, the INC (Instituto Nacional de Cultura – National Institute of Culture) tax charged for local museums and attractions is valid; it was introduced in January of 2008. It is exactly S/.11 and again, nothing more. Be sure to pay it to a tax collector that offers you a valid receipt with the current date.

These are meant to be precautionary tips.  Peru is a developing country and this region has seen serious hardships in the face of devastating earthquakes that have affected the region time and again. Travelers are only asked to be careful, as looking after your belongings is a rule of thumb for travel in all of South America.