Pisco travel guide

Despite being christened as San Clemente de Macera by the Spanish in 1640, the town had already been unofficially named after the famous local brandy and would always be known as Pisco. Now the largest port between Callao and Matarani, 237 km south of Lima, it serves a large agricultural hinterland.

The town was originally divided into two: Pisco Pueblo, with its colonial-style homes, patios and gardens; and Pisco Puerto, which, apart from fisheries, has been replaced as a port by the deep-water Puerto General San Martín, beyond Paracas. The two have now expanded into one fairly unattractive town. Avenida San Martín runs from the Plaza de Armas to the sea. The government has spent some US$400 million on rebuilding roads, sewers and power systems after the earthquake, but a year later and the police station was still not rebuilt, corruption and crime were rampant, new housing was limited to one-room shacks made of particle board and many families were still living in tents.

It is not recommended to walk on or near Pisco Playa at night, as there are many reports of tourists being robbed while walking to the beach; take a taxi or mototaxi. It is best not to carry important items such as plane tickets, passports or anything flash, while out at night.