2 Best Sights in The Southern Coast, Peru

For an overview of the Nazca culture and the various archaeological sites in the region, this Italian-run museum is the best in town. The exhibits, made up of materials excavated from the surrounding digs, are heavy on scientific information and light on entertainment, although the display of Nazca trophy skulls will appeal to the morbid, and textiles fans will appreciate the display of painted fabrics from the ancient adobe city of Cahuachi. All the signage is in Spanish, so ask for the translation book at the front desk. Don't miss the still-functional Nazca aqueduct in the back garden.

It's a little out of the way, but don't let that stop you from visiting this compact museum with a well-preserved collection of regional pre-Columbian artifacts—particularly from the Inca, Nazca, and Paracas cultures. Note the quipus, mysterious knotted, colored threads thought to have been used by the Incas to count commodities and food reserves. Fans of the macabre will love the mummy display, where you can see everything from embalmed humans to a mummified bird.

Meanwhile, the squeamish can head out back to view a scale model of the Nazca Lines from an observation tower. You can also buy maps and paintings of Nazca motifs from the gift shop. The museum is about 1½ km (1 mile) from the main square, but it's not advisable to walk, so hop on one of the city's three-wheeled mototaxis that will make the trip for around S/5.