Paracas Attractions

PARACAS NATIONAL RESERVE

Established in 1975, this vast national reserve is vital to the protection of both marine life in the Paracas Bay and bird life on the entire Peninsula.

The entrance to the reserve is situated south of the village of Paracas at the reserve’s Julio Tello Site Museum (Entrance fee: US $2). This excellent museum, which honors the Peruvian archaeologist Julio C Tello, displays exhibits of his discoveries from local burial sites. As well as antique weavings and textiles there is a collection of trepanned skulls revealing a fascinating, ancient medical treatment in which a hole is drilled into the skull of the patient, removing a piece and eliminating pressure to the brain that results from an injury. The museum’s shop sells guidebooks, camera film and drinks while the park visitor center, located just next door, holds children-friendly exhibits on ecology and conservation.

As visitors walk through the extensive reserve, they will be able to see hundreds of wild and varied birdlife such as pelicans, condors, Inca terns and even Chilean flamingos, who usually remain in the bay area. For a better view of the flamingos as well as all birdlife on the reserve, make the short walk from the museum to the mirador (look out point). On this walk, visitors can catch a glimpse of fossilized remains of marine life that have origins tracing back to the Paracas culture which lived on the region between 600 BCE and 175 BCE. On the shores of the sea, visitors will be able to see dried up jellyfish that produce mandala-like formations on the sand. It is also possible to come upon seashells, ghost crabs and sea hares along the peninsula’s coastline.

Located about 5km from the museum is the quaint fishing village of Lagunillas. There you can have a delicious lunch of the freshest seafood around. Most eateries in this beautiful seaside region range from S/15-S/20, with S/30 for a main course. After your meal, walk a few kilometers further to a cliff-top lookout that provides spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, usually with a colony of friendly sea-lions lounging on the rocks below.

6 Km west of Lagunillas visitors will be able to look down on a loud but friendly colony of sea lions at the Mirador de los Lobos (Lookout of the “Lions”), situated on the Punta El Arquillo of the Paracas Peninsula.

When you’re heading back to the visitor’s center, be sure to check out the remains of the 5000-year-old Paracas Necropolis. Here you will be able to see over 400 funerary bundles that were found at this ancient site. These bundles were discovered wrapped in colorful woven textiles that the Paracas culture is well-known for.

BALLESTAS ISLANDS

Ballesta, meaning “bow” (as in archery) in Spanish, is a fitting name for the spectacular Ballesta Islands, as over time, they have eroded into numerous caves and arches. Falling just outside the Paracas National Reserve, over 150 species of marine birdlife that call these islands home are nonetheless protected by separate legislation. Here visitors can see the Humboldt penguin, boobies, pelicans, cormorants and sometimes even condors on the 1 ½ hour boat journey. A large number of sea-lions can be seen lazing on the shores of the islands, and if you’re extremely lucky, you might be able to catch dolphins or whales trailing the waters of this area.

Departing between 08:00 and 10:30 from the fishing jetty located at the El Chaco port in the village of Paracas, guides take off on boat tours of the islands. Visitors are not allowed onto the islands themselves. However, views of the marine life from the boat are always likely to be excellent.

The route that most tours take for the visit to the Ballestas Islands also allows for a sneak peak the famous El Candelabro geoglyph located on the sandy hills overlooking the sea. The lines depicting the three-pronged candle-holder measure 150m high, 50 m wide and 60 cm deep, remain a mystery to those who are able to see them on the boat trip to the islands. No one knows how and why the geoglyph was made. Many believe it’s tied to the unexplained and nearby Nazca Lines. Others believe it’s related to the Southern Cross constellation and at one point helped to guide ancient sailors. Whatever the case may be, it’s an added bonus on the journey to and from the Ballestas Islands.

Peru for Less offers a splendid tour package featuring many of the main attractions in Paracas. For one price you can have the convenience of having all transportation to and from the sites, a bilingual guide, and all entrance fees covered. Tours usually last about three hours. For more information on private tours and other nearby attractions, such as the famous Nazca Lines, please read our Paracas - Nazca Destination Page.