Ilo is one of the quietest beach downs in Peru. Even on holiday weekends you’re unlikely to find any crowds. The south side of town has a long sandy beach and the north side has a rocky beach that’s a maze of tidepools at low tide. It’s the perfect place to see red and orange anemones, red starfish, colorful crabs, purple urchins and lots more wildlife.

The center of town has a port where fishing boats bring in their catch and attract a resident group of sea lions. Ilo mostly relies on tourists, so there’s a great selection of restaurants and small, family-run hotels and hostels.

Ilo’s museum is a bit of a drive outside of town, but absolutely worth it. The Chiribaya Museum has one of Peru’s biggest mummy collections and an impressive collection of artifacts from the ancient cultures that thrived on this desert coast for thousands of years. Taxis charge around 30 soles each way.