Peru Guide
The south coast
Puerto Inca
The ruins of Puerto Inca, once the Incas' main port for Cusco, are located close to an excellent beach with fine diving and fishing. Inca ruins abound close to the hotel and beach. Within a half-day's walk there are caves, grottos, hidden coves, rock formations and plenty of opportunity for getting lost in the desert coastline, birdwatching or even spotting Humbolt penguins if you're patient and lucky enough. There's a hotel with restaurant, big parking area, campsite ($10) and bungalows right on the beach: the 
Puerto Inka, Km 610, Panamericana Sur ( 
054/778458, or contact in Arequipa at C Arica 406A, Yanahuara 054/272663, 
puertoinka@puertoinka.com.pe, 
www.puertoinka.com.pe ; Price: $25–70); it's worth checking the website for special out-of-season deals. To get to the ruins, take a taxi from the town of Chala 10km away (about $10), or catch an Arequipa-bound bus along the Panamerican Highway and ask to be dropped off at Km 610 (it used to be Km 603, but there's a sign for the hotel anyway). It's easy enough to walk the 2–3km from here along a rustic but passable road following a narrow gully to the beach.