Santa María Aqueducts
Discover the Santa Maria Aqueducts, a 1500-year-old Nazca engineering marvel still supplying water today. Explore ancient spiral wells and subterranea...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Beat the desert heat
Santa María Aqueducts
Best Time
Beat the desert heat
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover the Santa Maria Aqueducts, a 1500-year-old Nazca engineering marvel still supplying water today. Explore ancient spiral wells and subterranean channels.
"Gotta hand it to the Nazca people—building something that still works 1,500 years later is no small feat."
🚶♀️ Walk into the Aqueducts
You can actually walk down into some of the aqueducts! A unique perspective on this ancient engineering feat.
🤝 Hire a Local Guide
Enhance your visit by hiring a local guide to explain the history and advanced technology.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Spiral Aqueducts
Cantalloc
Witness the ingenious spiral-shaped wells and underground channels that still carry water today.
Subterranean Channels
Cantalloc
Explore the fascinating network of tunnels designed to draw water from underground sources.
Ancient Engineering
Cantalloc
Marvel at a 1500-year-old hydraulic system that continues to irrigate nearby green areas.
Plans like a pro.
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Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything
Understanding the Engineering Marvel
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚶♀️ Walk into the Aqueducts
You can actually walk down into some of the aqueducts! A unique perspective on this ancient engineering feat.
🤝 Hire a Local Guide
Enhance your visit by hiring a local guide to explain the history and advanced technology.
💧 Still Functioning!
Amazingly, many of these 1500-year-old aqueducts are still in operation today.
💰 Affordable Entry
Entry is typically around 10 Soles and often includes access to other nearby sites.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚶♀️ Walk into the Aqueducts
You can actually walk down into some of the aqueducts! A unique perspective on this ancient engineering feat.
🤝 Hire a Local Guide
Enhance your visit by hiring a local guide to explain the history and advanced technology.
💧 Still Functioning!
Amazingly, many of these 1500-year-old aqueducts are still in operation today.
💰 Affordable Entry
Entry is typically around 10 Soles and often includes access to other nearby sites.
🚗 Quick Taxi Ride
A taxi from Nazca city center to the aqueducts costs about 10 Soles and takes minutes.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors are consistently amazed by the advanced engineering of the Nazca people, particularly how these 1500-year-old aqueducts are still functional today. While some find the site itself a bit sparse on information, the opportunity to explore the ancient water channels and the affordability of the visit are major draws. Hiring a local guide is frequently recommended to fully appreciate the historical significance.
"Amazing technology of the Nazca people on how they brought water to a desert. Worth going with a guide to truly appreciate how advanced the Nazca were. 2000 years ago this was built and is still being used today."
Sean R
"It is quite amazing how the ancient people manage this . Most of acueductos are dry.
But I like the idea they made.
10 soles for visiting (included other places)"
Temsiri Tem.
"Interesting site to admire technical skills of Inca. You can do a visit in 30 minutes. Taxi drive from city centre cots 10 Soles."
Jiří Kinský
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Santa Maria Aqueducts, also known as the Cantalloc Aqueducts, are located about 4 km north of Nazca, Peru. The easiest way to get there is by taxi from Nazca city center, which typically costs around 10 Soles. Some visitors also mention renting bikes for a more adventurous journey.
While they are a bit outside the main town, they are a recognized archaeological site. Following directions from your taxi driver or using a navigation app should lead you there without much trouble.
Yes, many tours operating in Nazca include a visit to the aqueducts, often combined with the Nazca Lines. This can be a convenient option if you're short on time.
Nazca is typically reached by bus from major Peruvian cities like Lima or Ica. The journey can take several hours, so plan accordingly.
Public transport directly to the aqueducts is limited. Taxis are the most common and convenient option for reaching the site from Nazca.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The entrance fee is generally around 10 Soles per person. This fee often covers access to other nearby archaeological sites as well, making it a good value.
Tickets can usually be purchased on-site. There's no need for advance booking, especially since it's not an overly crowded attraction.
The aqueducts are an open archaeological site, so they are generally accessible during daylight hours. It's best to visit during the day to fully appreciate the structures.
To avoid the midday sun and potential tour groups, visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon is recommended for a more peaceful experience.
Yes, the 10 Soles entrance fee often includes access to other nearby attractions, so inquire about combined ticket options when you purchase yours.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You'll see dozens of spiral-shaped wells and underground channels, part of an ancient hydraulic system built by the Nazca culture. Many are still functional, a testament to their advanced engineering.
Yes, a highlight for many visitors is the ability to walk down into some of the aqueducts, offering a unique perspective on their construction.
A visit to the aqueducts can be quite short, often around 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how much you explore and if you have a guide.
Absolutely! A local guide can provide invaluable insights into the history and sophisticated engineering of the aqueducts, which might otherwise be missed.
Wear comfortable walking shoes as you'll be on uneven terrain. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat to protect yourself from the desert sun.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture the unique spiral patterns of the wells and the intricate stonework of the channels. The desert landscape provides a dramatic backdrop.
Yes, when you descend into the aqueducts, you can get interesting shots looking up at the sky or capturing the texture of the ancient stone.
Early morning or late afternoon offers softer light and dramatic shadows, enhancing the visual appeal of the structures and the desert environment.
Drone regulations can vary. It's advisable to check local rules and regulations before flying a drone over archaeological sites in Peru.
Always ask for permission before taking photos of people, including local guides.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Keep in mind that the desert environment can be hot, so ensure children have plenty of water, hats, and sunscreen. Comfortable walking shoes are a must for navigating the uneven terrain. While the site itself might not have extensive play areas, the sheer wonder of the ancient technology provides ample entertainment and educational value. Consider a local guide to make the history come alive for younger minds.
💰 Budget Travelers
While hiring a guide adds to the cost, it's highly recommended for a richer experience. However, even without a guide, the sheer ingenuity of the aqueducts is impressive. Pack your own water and snacks to save money, and enjoy a significant historical site without breaking the bank.
🤓 History & Archaeology Enthusiasts
Exploring the spiral wells and subterranean channels provides a tangible connection to the past. Visiting with a local guide is highly recommended to gain deeper insights into the historical context, construction techniques, and the societal importance of these water systems. The site is a prime example of how ancient peoples adapted and thrived in challenging environments, making it a compelling study in human ingenuity and resilience.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Ingenuity of Nazca Hydraulic Engineering
What makes these aqueducts particularly astonishing is their longevity and continued functionality. Out of the 46 identified aqueducts, a significant number, around 32, are still in operation today, irrigating the surrounding areas. This enduring functionality is a testament to the sophisticated planning, construction techniques, and understanding of hydrology possessed by the Nazca people. Visitors can often descend into these ancient structures, offering a tangible connection to this incredible feat of engineering.
While the aqueducts are a marvel of ancient technology, some visitors note that the site itself might lack extensive interpretive signage. This is where hiring a local guide becomes highly beneficial. Guides can illuminate the historical context, explain the construction methods, and share fascinating details about how the Nazca people managed to thrive in such an arid region. The experience is often described as a 'casual nod to human ingenuity' rather than an Indiana Jones adventure, emphasizing the site's educational and historical value.
Visiting the Cantalloc Aqueducts: Practicalities and Perspectives
Many travelers find the visit to be relatively brief, often completed within 30 minutes to an hour. However, the impact of the visit can be profound, especially when one considers the age and functionality of the aqueducts. Social media content frequently highlights the amazement that these structures, built over 1500 years ago, are still in use today. The ability to descend into some of the aqueducts is a frequently mentioned highlight, offering a unique and immersive perspective on the ancient engineering.
While the site is impressive, some reviews suggest that it could benefit from more descriptive information panels. This reinforces the advice to consider hiring a local guide to fully appreciate the historical and technological significance of the aqueducts. Despite the potential for a quick visit, the aqueducts are widely regarded as a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in ancient civilizations and impressive feats of engineering.

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