Situated along the wild Pacific Coast, Paracas Peru used to be a small fishing village that has now since turned into a top travel destination.
Best known for being home to the Ballestas Islands (which are extremely ecologically diverse with all kinds of marine birds and mammals), many head here to take this spectacular boat tour. Along the way we can also see ancient ruins, enjoy wild Pacific beaches and learn more about the civilisation which once thrived here.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Paracas Peru. This includes the very best things to see and do, how to get here, visiting Paracas with an organized tour as well as our own personal tips to help you have the most memorable experience.
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Like with much of the rest of Peru, we can find that life has thrived throughout these more arid coastal regions for several thousands of years.
Paracas was most famous for being home to the same-named Paracas Culture. Founded almost 2300 years ago in 800 BCE, they made big advancements which would later shape how other civilisations also advanced. This included their intricate water systems that were designed to help retain water in these difficult desert regions, and also their colorful designs which are found on many types of handwoven garments and pottery.
This indigenous civilisation was also believed to have created the Candelabro Ruins (which can be seen during the boat ride to the Ballestas Islands), who were highly adapted to living next to the sea where they fished (and also hunted sea lions). The Paracas Culture was eventually conquered in 100 BCE by the neighboring Topará culture, and since then the area has developed with all kinds of influence from many different civilisations.
By far the biggest reason to head here when in Peru (and which is why most visit Paracas) is to explore the neighboring Ballestas Islands. Located a few kilometers off the coast within the Paracas National Reserve, here we can see the skies full of diverse marine birds that soar overhead in perfectly straight lines.
These islands are also home to many other marine species, and it’s usually common to see many of them on a tour. This includes Sea Lions which are usually found hanging out on exposed rocks, as well as the much-coveted Humboldt Penguin.
Paracas is also a great place to learn more about the ancient history along Peru’s southern Pacific coasts. Here we can enjoy some spectacular views of the Candelabro Ruins during the boat ride, and also learn more about the Paracas Culture and their rather odd cultural habits at the Julio C Tello Site Museum and Centro de Interpretación.
Now that we’ve learnt more about Paracas and why you should visit, let’s now explore some of the very best sites in more detail.
Measuring over 600ft in height, witnessing this hieroglyph is one of the must-do’s during a trip to Paracas. Built over 2000 years ago by the Paracas civilization, it has since remained in perfect condition despite the constant threats of erosion. As a result this site is often compared to those of the Nazca Lines – despite having different creators. You can get up and close with these ruins during a boat tour, where your tour guide will teach you more interesting facts about this legendary site.
Whilst the town of Paracas is small and charming, the biggest reason many like to get out and about here is to explore the different beaches. Located within the desert Ica region, it means that daytime temperatures are warm year-round – so we can enjoy the cool waves whilst also ordering some really good seafood here. There certainly are a few in and around town that you can visit – however the very best are out within the Paracas National Reserve. This includes the famous red beach of Playa La Mina.
Many of the above attractions require little time to actually see and explore, meaning that a day trip is often all you need to see the very best of Paracas. This is also ideal if you’re short on time in Peru, or prefer to use your time more efficiently when here. Here at TravelBuddiesPeru we offer a variety of different tours to Paracas from Lima, ensuring you see the top highlights whilst enjoying private transportation to get around – as well as having a knowledgeable guide to teach you everything that you need to know.
Once ruling these coastal regions over 2000 years ago, the Paracas Culture initially laid the foundations of what we see today in and around this town. They were known for their bizarre practice of deforming skulls, advancements in water irrigation systems as well as creating unique textile designs. Within Paracas we can head to two different museums to learn more about them and see recovered artifacts – which are the Julio C Tello Site Museum as well as the Centro de Interpretación.
Off the coast of Paracas we can see a massive abundance of wildlife, and is one of the best places in Peru for seeing many coastal species. Large numbers of birds can be spotted flying overhead, which include Cormorants, Pelicans and the Inca tern. Most however come here to spot other animals like Sea Lions and the Humboldt Penguins, which can be seen on a boat tour to the Ballestas Islands. Depending on the season you may even be lucky to spot Humpback Whales as they begin their annual migration (usually between the months of June-October).
Getting to Paracas is relatively simple, given it’s only located a few hours south of Lima (which serves as the main aerial gateway into the country). Below we’ll look at the main ways to get to Paracas Peru, and which is best depending on your own preferences.
Travelers who prefer to have everything organized for them (or are short on time) will much prefer heading to Paracas with an organized tour.
The main benefit of choosing this option over using public transportation is how comfortable and smooth your day will run. For example on our day tour from Lima you will have plenty of time to see the town and visit the Ballestas Islands, whereas if going solo then you’ll have to book your own tickets once you get there (and make sure you’re back in time before the last bus to Lima leaves).
Of course a tour will cost more than if you choose to use public transportation, however the extra comfort and better service that you will get will make your experience much more enjoyable and memorable.
If you prefer to organize everything independently, then you can use public transport to get from Lima to Paracas.
There are several bus companies that have multiple departures throughout the day, including those of PerúBus, Jaksa and Wayki. The majority of them leave from the La Victoria station in downtown Lima, so you’ll first need to make your way there to the bus station with a taxi (the bus journey will take around 4 hours in tota)l.
It’s important to know that whilst there are frequent departures throughout the whole day, the return bus from Paracas to Lima is very limited (with only a few each day, with the last leaving around 4:00pm). This means it will be difficult to organize a day trip with enough time to see everything, given you’ll have to be back and ready for your bus in good time.
Having visited Paracas Peru many times ourselves, we believe that heading here with an organized tour is the very best option that you can choose.
Booking a tour is relatively easy and simple, and can also be pre-booked so everything is ready once you arrive in Lima. Here at TravelBuddiesPeru we run a Full Day Tour from Lima which includes hotel pick-up – meaning you won’t need to wake up as early to meet at a designated spot.
You’ll also travel in a private vehicle with air-conditioning, which is ideal since we’ll be traveling around such an arid desert region. From there you’ll have all trips and activities included and organized for you, so you can really enjoy your time without having to worry about losing track of time or booking things yourself.
During our tour you’ll have plenty of time to explore Paracas and the Ballestas Islands, however that’s not all! Also during the day tour we’ll get to fly over the ancient Nazca Lines and visit the desert oasis of Huacachina (which includes the infamous Sandboarding and Dune Buggy Ride tour).
It’s firstly important to mention that Paracas is located within the region of Ica, which is practically a giant desert region. Because of this, there is virtually no rainfall here all year – making a trip here great during any month.
Where things can vary is with the temperatures. It’s worth noting that Paracas usually has hot days, followed by chilly nights. For this reason it’s important to remember to bring a jumper or jacket for when the sun begins to go down (and also to take a jacket with you when heading to the Ballestas Islands given things can get quite windy there).
The overall best time to visit Paracas is between December and April, which also falls over the Peruvian summer season. Daytime temperatures are their warmest, with averages of 69-74°F and highs of up to 80°F. Evening lows can dip down to 64°F.
For the rest of the year the weather will still be great to visit Paracas, although temperatures will be slightly cooler. Average daytime temperatures hover between 61-65°F, with highs of 72°F and lows that can reach down to 56°F.
Below we’ll now cover everything you need to know about planning your own trip to Paracas Peru. This includes what to pack as well as the costs of traveling here.
It’s important to note that you’ll want to pack properly before visiting Paracas. Again you can always buy new things once you arrive here, however you may not need to if you already have them at home. Below is what we recommend wearing, as well as packing for your trip here.
Clothes:
Miscellaneous Items:
Given Paracas is a small town (and has retained its local vibe), the costs of visiting here will be relatively cheap. Around town we can find many local restaurants with dishes for between $2-5, as well as a range of higher-end touristy restaurants (with a meal costing anywhere from $5-10 and upwards).
There are many types of hotels in Paracas which cater for different budgets, in case you decide to visit independently. This includes both hotels and hostels, although you’ll need to review them properly to make sure they have all the usual facilities (as well as anything else that you might need). Prices for a stay range between $7-12 for a hostel and $20-40 for a private hotel room.
Below we’ll share our very best tips for visiting Paracas, and what you need to know in order to have the most enjoyable experience possible.
Most likely you have already heard of the desert oasis of Huacachina, which is another must-visit from Lima. It’s very easy to get to from Paracas, and is worth seeing both on the same trip out from the capital. Here we can go Sandboarding and visit authentic pisco wineries. Also from Paracas we can use the local airport to fly over the Nazca Lines (which is closer than if having to head out to the Nazca Airport).
As you can imagine this popular destination can get quite crowded later in the day, so it’s worth coming as early as possible for a more authentic and tranquil experience. It’s also more likely to see wildlife such as Sea Lions be more active too – before the warmer sun appears later in the day.
Again we highly suggest heading on a tour given you’ll be able to smoothly see all of the very best highlights in just a day. Many companies offer this tour from Lima, however if you want the overall best value then you’ll want to take a look at our Paracas Day Tour. Not only will you see the highlights of the Ballestas Islands and Paracas, you’ll also visit Huacachina and fly over the Nazca Lines – all in just one day!
And that’s all for our ultimate guide to visiting Paracas Peru.
Known for its historical significance, during a trip here we can learn more about the different civilisations that once ruled these coastal areas, as well as how Paracas has since developed over the last few thousand years. Here we can also explore the memorable Ballestas Islands, which are home to all kinds of marine species including Sea Lions, Cormorants and the Humboldt Penguin.
In this guide we’ve covered everything you need to know about visiting Paracas, including what you can see and do here, how to get there as well as our own top personal recommendations.
Do you want to explore Paracas and the nearby Ballestas Islands? Here at TravelBuddiesPeru we offer an incredible day trip where we will see all of the highlights here, whilst enjoying private guides and transportation. We’ll also get to visit the ancient Nazca Lines and the desert of Huacachina along the way.
Wednesday July 31, 2024
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