No trip along Peru's southern coast is complete without Paracas. The reason is simple: here, marine biodiversity coexists with desert landscapes. It's located on the central coast of the country, within the Ica region and belonging to the province of Pisco. The distance between Lima and Paracas, Peru , is exactly 260 kilometers south.
We're talking about a destination that's easily accessible for both day trips and longer stays . Keep in mind that the only direct route is by land, via the Pan-American Highway South (Route 1S) , a journey of between 3.5 and 4 hours by car.
In this article, we'll explore in detail what there is to see in Paracas. From boat trips to marine reserves and walks along protected beaches to desert activities, we'll suggest the best excursions and tours in Paracas so you can plan your time and budget with the best guide.
What to see in Paracas, Peru: the attractions of the bay
The town center is known as El Chaco. This small port serves as the base of operations for all maritime and land excursions in the region . Below, we detail the main attractions to see from there.
Navigation through the Marine Reserve
In Paracas, Peru, the Ballestas Islands are the most visited destination, and the main activity takes place at sea. These rock formations are located about 24 kilometers offshore and belong to the National Reserve System of Islands, Islets, and Guano Points .
The perfect way to visit this natural wonder is the Ballestas Islands Tour . It begins at the El Chaco pier, where fast boats depart for the peninsula to observe the Candelabro. The origin of this 180-meter-long geoglyph etched into the sandy hillside is being investigated by archaeologists.
The boat then continues to the islands. Due to environmental protection regulations, landing on any of the islands in Paracas, Peru , is prohibited , but the boats approach within a few meters of the rocks. From there, you can observe colonies of sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and thousands of guano birds , such as the guanay cormorant, the Peruvian booby, and the Peruvian pelican.
If you arrive by international sea, you'll notice that the ships dock at Puerto General San Martín, located 14 kilometers from the town of El Chaco . The Ballestas Islands and National Reserve excursion departs from Puerto San Martín . This tour also includes a boat trip to the islands, but adds a land tour of the reserve before returning.
The Paracas resort, Peru and the Terrestrial National Reserve
South of the town of El Chaco begins the Paracas National Reserve, a protected area of 335,000 hectares . It was created in 1975 to preserve the marine and coastal ecosystems of the Humboldt Current. Its control and access point is located just 5 kilometers from the town center.
The Paracas National Reserve Tour is the perfect way to explore this vast coastal desert. It's a guided four-hour tour that includes transportation along the desert's salt flats, a visit to the interpretation center, a stop at the Red Beach viewpoint, and free time at Lagunillas Beach and Yumaque Beach .
Within this reserve lies the resort town of Paracas, Peru, a series of rugged beaches in the middle of the desert. The most famous is Playa Roja (Red Beach ), whose distinctive color is due to the erosion of magmatic granodiorite rocks.
Located 15 kilometers from the entrance is Playa Lagunillas , a fishing cove where it is possible to swim and have lunch of fresh ceviche or fried fish at the beach bars.
Located 5 kilometers from the main entrance is the Julio C. Tello Site Museum , which exhibits funerary bundles, deformed skulls and textiles from the ancient pre-Inca culture that inhabited the area more than two thousand years ago.
Adventure in the Paracas desert: dune buggies and boards
The landscape of this unique destination doesn't end at the coast. Just a few kilometers to the east, the terrain rises to form the Paracas Dunes in Peru . These sandy slopes belong to the foothills of the California desert and are ideal for motorsports and sandboarding .
The buggy and sandboarding excursion in the Paracas desert is a must-do. The tour begins aboard dune buggies, speeding across the dunes. During the ride, the driver makes stops at the tops of the highest dunes for sandboarding on wooden boards . The activity is usually scheduled for the afternoon to avoid the extreme heat and culminates with watching the sunset over the desert.
Paracas, Peru: what to do in the surrounding area and combined routes
If your itinerary allows you to extend your trip beyond the Paracas Islands in Peru , the Ica region offers complementary attractions that can be visited in a single day. The road connection between the coast and the interior of the department makes it easy to explore the agricultural valleys and oases.
From the sea to the oasis near Paracas, Peru
Located 75 kilometers southeast of Paracas is the city of Ica. Just 5 kilometers from the city center is the Huacachina Lagoon , an emerald-green body of water surrounded by palm trees, huarango trees, and dunes over one hundred meters high.
If you're staying in Lima and only have one day to explore southern Peru, there's a structured tour that covers transportation and activities. The Ballestas Islands in Paracas and Huacachina Oasis buggy tour is a full-day excursion that departs from Lima in the early morning.
The itinerary for this excursion is extremely comprehensive:
Navigation: Arrival at the El Chaco dock and immediate boarding of the speedboats to observe the wildlife in the Ballestas Islands and view the Candelabro.
Pisco Route: Land transfer from the coast to the Ica valleys. The tour includes a visit to a traditional vineyard, where a local guide explains the distillation process of pisco (Peru's national drink) and the production of local wines, ending with a tasting and a typical lunch of Ica's cuisine.
Oasis Adventure: Arrival at the oasis near Paracas, Peru (Huacachina). There, passengers board buggies to explore the giant dunes and practice sandboarding.
Return: Evening transfer back to hotels in the city of Lima.
Where is Paracas in Peru and how to get there from Lima
The journey from the Peruvian capital to the coast of Pisco is easy thanks to the excellent condition of the Pan-American Highway South. Take the highway south, pass the toll booths at Villa, Chilca, and Jahuay, and then take the signposted turnoff at kilometer 245 that leads directly to the town.
If you prefer public transportation, the best option is to use long-distance bus companies like Cruz del Sur or Oltursa . These buses depart daily from terminals located on Javier Prado Avenue or in Plaza Norte, Lima . The buses terminate at the El Chaco terminal, the tourist and commercial center of Paracas Bay, Peru . From there, you can easily get around on foot, without needing taxis or other forms of transportation.
Climate in Paracas and the southern coast of Peru
Planning your visit to the central Peruvian coast requires considering the climate and the natural environment . Although the area is desert and rainfall is almost nonexistent, the Paracas winds can be strong from midday onwards, stirring up sand and reducing visibility . For this reason, boat trips are always scheduled between 8:00 and 10:00 AM, when the sea is calm.
To explore the land reserve and dunes, it's essential to bring high-factor sunscreen, sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sand, and a windproof jacket . It's important to know that the temperature drops rapidly at sunset.