Paracas

Located on the coast 4 hours south of Lima, Paracas provides access to the Paracas National Reserve, where enormous colonies of sea lions, sea birds, and innumerable ocean denizens gather to feast on the nutrient-rich waters off the Peruvian coast. Enjoy the wildlife on the Ballestas Islands — it's the reason why Paracas is jokingly called the “Poor Man’s Galapagos.” And then chill out at a resort pool overlooking the beautiful Paracas bay.

If you’ve got extra time, consider a Nazca Lines flight. Planes depart from the nearby Pisco airport and you'll be back in Paracas with plenty of time to watch the sunset. Other options for thrill seekers include bike tours or quad tours in the Paracas reserve, dune buggy and sandboarding tours in the Pisco desert or Huacachina Oasis.

The principal town of Paracas, called El Chaco, is surrounded by dry hills and the Ica Desert. Outside of the Paracas National Reserve, desert sand dunes provide a playground for adventure-seeking travelers.

Elevation

16.4 feet (5 meters) above sea level in front of the Pacific Ocean

Climate

Paracas has a desert climate with very little rainfall. The average temperature is about 24°C (75°F).

“Paracas” derives from Quechua words meaning “rain of sand” and refers to the strong winds that regularly whip across the sandy coastline and peninsula. Wind speeds average between 25 to 60 km/h (15 to 37 mi/h).

El Chaco and Paracas Bay

Ballestas Islands

Not far from Paracas town, a group of uninhabited islands is home to an astounding array of marine wildlife. The number and diversity of birds and animals on the Islas Ballestas has resulted in their popular moniker: “Poor Man’s Galapagos.”

Bird species include the guanay cormorant, Peruvian booby, and Peruvian pelican. They join lounging colonies of sea lion to blanket the rocky isles. Their barks compete with the sound of crashing waves and the squawks of birds. Sometimes, they launch into the water and swim along with boats.

Regardless of their worthiness as a substitute for the Galapagos, the Ballestas Islands are a definite must see on a Paracas tour. Read more in our comprehensive Ballestas Islands travel guide.

Paracas National Reserve

The Paracas National Reserve is unique among Peru’s natural areas. Established in 1975, the reserve protects a rare marine ecosystem as well as a huge chunk of subtropical coast desert and the remnants of the Paracas culture which flourished from 900 BC to 200 AD.

The Paracas Peninsula forms the northern corner of the 335,000 hectare reserve. Attractions include the Museo de Paracas Julio C Tello, the adjacent Paracas Necropolis on Cerro Colorado (Red Mountain), and a handful of beautiful beaches, some with sand, others with rocky areas where marine wildlife congregates.

Admission: S/.10 entry per person to the Paracas National Reserve (not including the Ballestas Islands)

See our comprehensive Paracas National Reserve travel guide for more information.

El Candelabro

The Paracas Candelabra, known as “El Candelabro” in Spanish, is a giant geoglyph etched into the hard sand and deeper rock surface of a hill on the desert coast of the Paracas Peninsula. It measures 180 meters (595 feet) tall and can be seen from 19 km (12 miles) out to sea.

Scientists have not been able to determine the exact age nor the purpose or meaning of the glyph. Pottery found nearby has been carbon dated to 200 BC, which is around the time the Paracas culture was active. But no conclusive evidence has been found to determine the builders.

Paracas Julio C Tello Museum

Located near the northern entrance of the national reserve, this museum displays the archaeological findings of Julio C. Tello, the first archaeologist to study the Paracas culture. Artifacts include textiles, ceramics, mummies, and skulls with deformations. Additional exhibits delve into the details of Paracas cultural practices, including fishing techniques, textile-making, and mummification. From the museum, a path goes to a lookout point on the coast where pink flamingos flock from July to November.

Admission: S/.6
Hours: Daily, 9:00 to 18:00 hrs

Pisco city

Whether you’re traveling onward to Paracas, to Ica/Huacachina, or to Nazca, Pisco is a requisite point of transit going south from Lima. Pisco also has a small airport convenient for travelers who want to take a Nazca Lines flight tour without traveling overland all the way to Nazca city. In terms of accommodation, Paracas Bay has the better options for seaside relaxation.

Admission: S/.6
Hours: Daily, 9:00 to 18:00 hrs

Huacachina Oasis

While nature lovers flock to Paracas, thrill seekers are drawn like bees to honey to Huacachina and its blue-green lagoon. Located just 8 km (5 miles) from Ica city, the oasis town is surrounded by 100-foot sand dunes. You can take a 2-hour dune buggy/sand boarding tour and depart for your next destination, or stick around the enjoy the backpacker party scene by night.

Tour the Ballestas Islands

Paracas Bay is the point of departure for boat tours to the Ballestas Islands. Tours typically depart in the morning, either at 8 or 10 o’clock. The outward journey passes by the El Candelabro geoglyph etched on the Paracas Peninsula. You’ll cruise past caves and arches and the rocky isles where giant colonies of seabirds and sea lions make their home. If you’re lucky, you might also spot dolphins, orcas, turtles, and other rare creatures. Keep in mind that boats are not covered. Expect cold and windy conditions and the occasional bird dropping from above. Dress accordingly — wind jacket, poncho, and/or hat recommended.

Explore Paracas Peninsula

Exploring this desert is a visual treat because the color of the sand dunes changes depending on position of the sun overhead. Grab a rental bicycle or book a tour and venture out to the coastal desert expanses of the Paracas Peninsula. Riding on two wheels (as opposed to a car) gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. The challenge, though, is that winds kick up in the afternoon and you might be in for some extra work in you find a strong headwind. Quads (ATVs) are another option; these tours take you to hidden spots on the peninsula.

Splurge and chill out poolside

If you’ve got a packed itinerary, your Paracas hotel is a great place to relax and renew your energy before tackling your next adventure. Paracas boasts a wide choice of reasonably priced beach resorts with gorgeous swimming pools overlooking Paracas Bay. Enjoy the beauty of the landscape, sip on a pisco cocktail, and bask in the warmth of the sun arching its course overhead.

Play in the water

Paracas Bay’s flat water and strong winds make it ideal grounds for the practice of a variety of water sports. If you’re game, check with your Paracas resort to borrow the equipment you need to kayak, windsurf, and kitesurf. Paragliding tours are also available.

Ride the dunes

If the sight of sand dunes tempts you to hurl yourself down a slippery slope with a board strapped to your feet, take a dune tour from Paracas or Pisco. Dune buggy drivers take passengers out into the Ica Desert. Stops include low dunes where beginners can learn basic skills and safety techniques, and then higher dunes where the brave of heart can gain more speed on steeper descents.

Fish and seafood play a starring role on most restaurant menus in Chaco. Many seafront restaurants near the pier serve a menu del dia (set menu with starter, main, dessert) or a la carte. Grill stands by the pier are also a source of cheap eats.

Paracas enjoys a hot and pleasantly dry climate throughout the year. The average temperature is about 24°C (75°F). The winter months (July and August) can bring slightly cooler evening temperatures. On a Ballestas Islands tour, it’s always a good idea to bring protection against the wind and the sun.

Best time to visit Paracas

The best months are in the summer time from December to March, when the days are hot and the sky is clear. The Paracas seaside is especially busy during this time and attracts Peruvians on their summer holiday.

Get in

By bus: The company Peru Hop provides door-to-door service from Lima to Paracas and is a great choice for backpackers on the tourist trail through southern Peru. There is regular first-class bus service from Lima to the Paracas region. Reputable companies are Excluciva, Cruz del Sur, and Oltursa; these also provide onward service to Arequipa and Cusco.

By road: El Chaco is located approximately 260 km (160 mi) south of Lima along the Panamericana Sur. The highway is well-paved.