A popular coastal town to visit from Lima, Paracas has many worthwhile attractions that you’ll want to explore.
However, given it’s located so close to the capital, many wonder whether it’s worth staying at a hotel in Paracas, or whether it’s best to visit as a day trip instead.
In this guide we’ll explore if it’s worth staying at a hotel in Paracas, and in what situations it’s advantageous. We’ll also look at why you may instead benefit from joining a day tour from Lima, which has its own perks.
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Quick Answer: It really depends on you and your own goals, so it’s hard to say that it’s the best or worst option for everyone.
If you have lots of time leftover in Lima before you fly out (and don’t mind spending extra), then a hotel would be a good choice. However if you only have a short amount of time or a restricted budget, then it may be better to instead head on a day trip. Below we’ll take a look at the different advantages and disadvantages of a hotel stay in Paracas.
The biggest benefit is if you want to travel slower and connect more with the region. Whilst small, the town of Paracas certainly has its charm and you can explore the different museums as well as enjoy the beach.
It’s also good to mention here that you’ll be able to head independently to the Ballestas Islands at different times of the day (by organizing a trip to the harbor yourself). This means that you can then fully rest up at your hotel and choose to go when is best for you.
As you can imagine, hotel stays can be somewhat expensive so you’ll need more budget for this kind of experience. Whilst there’s also budget hotels here, it will be better to stay at a fancier one which has adequate heating (remember that Paracas is still in the desert, so evening temperatures will drop substantially even along the coastal regions).
The other disadvantage is that you’ll have to organize visits to the different attractions yourself. For example the port that heads to the Ballestas Islands is quite far from the town, and the quality of service or guide you have really is the luck of the draw.
Heading on a day tour to Paracas from Lima solves many of the issues above. Firstly you’ll have a tour leader show you around, meaning you’ll be guaranteed a more professional level of service (which is great for learning more about the surrounding region).
The other main advantage is that you’ll have everything included and organized for you. This means that you won’t have to worry about catching buses from different areas of Lima at awkward times, nor have to sort your own trips and entrance tickets out yourself.
Here at TravelBuddiesPeru we offer an all-inclusive day tour to Paracas from Lima, which includes all transport, experiences and a professional tour guide to lead the way. As an added bonus you’ll also get to visit a Pisco Winery as well as go Sandboarding in the desert oasis of Huacachina.
And that’s all for this guide on whether it’s worth staying at a hotel in Paracas.
At the end of the day it really depends on you and what kind of experience you’re after. If you like independence and don’t mind spending a bit more, then you can definitely stay at a luxury hotel in Paracas. On the other hand if you prefer having everything organized for you, then a tour from Lima will be a better option.
Are you still wondering if it’s worth visiting Paracas? Learn more about the Paracas National Reserve and why it’s a must-visit destination from Lima.
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