Paracas walking tour & city guide

Ballestas Islands

Boats pass the Candelabra, a giant geoglyph on a hillside, then reach islands covered with birds, Humboldt penguins and sea lions.

Desert

The Paracas National Reserve has red beaches and cliffs. The desert oasis of Huacachina, with dune buggies and sandboarding, is an hour away.

A day in Paracas

Take an early boat to the Ballestas Islands, the 'poor man's Galápagos', home to sea lions, Humboldt penguins and thousands of seabirds. On the way, you pass the Candelabra, a giant geoglyph carved into the hillside.

In the afternoon, explore the Paracas National Reserve, where red and yellow beaches meet the desert.

Good to know

Paracas is about four hours south of Lima. The Huacachina oasis and the Nazca Lines are nearby.

The wind picks up in the afternoon, so boat trips leave early.

Why it is worth the trip

The Paracas Peninsula is a protected desert reserve where dunes and cliffs meet the cold Humboldt Current, which brings rich marine life. Flamingos gather in the bay, and the red sand of Playa Roja, colored by volcanic rock, is one of the most striking sights on the Peruvian coast. Paracas also gave its name to an ancient culture known for its beautiful textiles, some of which are displayed at the Julio C. Tello museum.

The town itself is small and relaxed, with a seafront promenade and simple restaurants serving fresh ceviche. It is a good base for sandboarding and dune buggy rides in Huacachina, about an hour away.