Getting To and Away from Pisco

Finding your way to Pisco will probably include a quick bus change on Latin America's most famous highway, the Pan-American, as most buses don't go to Pisco directly. From Lima, expect to pay $5-10 for a four hour bus. Buses from Ica, $3-5, up to two hours, twice daily, and Nazca, $6-12, four hours. To Arequipa, $12-18, 12-15 hours. Ask the driver to let you off at San Clemente, where minibuses ($0.50) and colectivos ($1, ten minutes) are sure to be awaiting to take you the 6 km into Pisco's center.

Three companies do, however, have service into Pisco center: San Martín (on Avenida San Martín), Costeño (Conde Monclova 637) and Ormeño (Calle San Francisco and Pedemonte).

To Lima: Costeño (3 morning departures plus 3 p.m.) and San Martín (6 a.m., 2 p.m.) cost $5; Ormeño (1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., $10).

To Nasca: Ormeño (11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., $6.70-13.35)

Some of Ormeño's buses leave from San Clemente, though tickets can be purchased in Pisco: Arequipa (11:30 a.m., $33.35, 12.5 hours), Tacna (4:30 p.m., $20, 17.5 hours; also 1:30 p.m., via Moquegua, $27, 19.5 hours), Ayacucho (8:30 p.m., $10, 8.5 hours).

Ormeño also has a depot in Paracas, as does Cruz del Sur (see Paracas for more information).

To San Clemente: Combis (minibuses) depart from Pedemonte and 4 de Julio (when full, 6 a.m.-6 p.m., $0.50, 10 minutes). Colectivo taxis leave from the same place, as well as from the Plaza de Armas ($1).

To Paracas: Combis from the market district at Beatita de Humay and Fermín Tangüis (when full, 6 a.m.-6 p.m., $0.50, 15 minutes). Colectivo taxis leave from the market and the Plaza de Armas ($0.70).