7 Best Things to Do in Paracas, Peru
Paracas, a small port town in Peru, is home to the beautiful Ballestas Islands, also known as the “Poor Man’s Galapagos”.
Wondering what to do in Paracas, Peru?
Join a boat trip around the Ballestas Islands, visit the Paracas National Reserve, take a day trip to the Oasis of Huacachina, and enjoy Peru’s national dish, Ceviche.
Paracas is a popular destination in Peru, so you can’t miss it on your Peru Itinerary.
This ultimate guide to visiting Paracas includes how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Paracas, Peru.
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- 7 Best Things to Do in Paracas, Peru
- Where is Paracas
- Best Time to Visit Paracas, Peru
- How to Get to Paracas, Peru
- Is Paracas Safe?
- Best things to do in Paracas, Peru
- 1. Take a Boat Trip around Ballestas Islands
- 2. Visit Paracas National Reserve
- 3. Try the National Dish of Peru
- 4. Buggy ride in Paracas National Reserve
- 5. Day Trip to the Desert Oasis of Peru
- 6. Go Kitesurfing
- 7. Explore the town of Paracas
- Where to Eat in Paracas
- Where to Stay in Paracas
- How many Days do you Need in Paracas, Peru?
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Where is Paracas
Paracas is a quiet, small port town on the south coast of Peru.
Paracas is located about 4 hours from Lima, 1.5 hours from Huacachina, and 3 hours from the Nazca Lines.
Best Time to Visit Paracas, Peru
Paracas has a temperate climate, and the weather is generally hot and sunny.
Therefore Paracas can be visited all year round, but the best time to visit Peru is from May to October.
The busiest months in Paracas are March, April, and May.
During the day, the average temperature can be between 15-28°C. Always stay hydrated, use sunscreen, and wear a hat!
Good to know
The weather in Paracas can be unpredictable, and on windy days boat trips may be canceled or started later than planned.
Recommended post → Ultimate Peru Itinerary
How to Get to Paracas, Peru
Unfortunately, there is no airport in Paracas. The nearest airport is in Lima, the capital of Peru, the Jorge Chavez International Airport (airport code LIM).
Most international flights arrive in Lima, where you can start your Peru Itinerary.
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Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to Lima, Peru.
We traveled from Lima directly to Paracas by Peru Hop (hop-on, hop-off bus system).
Keep reading → Best Places to Visit in Peru
The easiest way to get to Paracas is by bus. Paracas is the perfect stop before heading to the Nazca or Arequipa.
Good to know
If you want to reach Paracas by public bus, we recommend the Cruz del Sur bus company. Get Bus Tickets here.
Is Paracas Safe?
Yes, Paracas is one of the safest places in Peru.
However, always keep an eye on your valuables and beware of pickpockets!
Good to know
There is only 1 ATM in Paracas, and some places do not accept bank cards or charge from 8% to 12% extra. So we recommend that you bring enough local cash (Soles)!
Best things to do in Paracas, Peru
1. Take a Boat Trip around Ballestas Islands
The most popular activity to do in Paracas is a boat trip around the Ballestas Islands.
The Ballestas Islands, also known as “Poor Man’s Galapagos”, are home to many animals, such as Humboldt penguins, sea lions, humpback whales, Peruvian pelicans, and seabirds.
Take a boat tour and enjoy the beautiful scenery and wildlife watching.
The Ballestas Islands boat trip takes 2 hours and leaves every day at 8 AM. Book your tour here.
We booked the morning boat tour via GetYourGuide, which was 20 USD per person.
During your tour of the Ballestas Islands, you can admire the magnificent Paracas Candelabra (Chandelier). It is a mystical, giant sand sculpture nearly 2,000 years old and similar to the Nazca Lines.
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We recommend sitting on the left side for a better view and taking a camera with zoom lenses.
Good to know
You cannot walk on the islands or swim, as they are a protected biodiversity area accessible only by boat.
The boat captain will take you close enough to take fantastic photos of sea lions basking on the rocks and birds.
Bring plenty of water, seasickness medication, and a light jacket or pullover, as the weather is windy during the tour. Use sunscreen and wear a hat for the heat.
A boat tour around the Ballestas Islands is the highlight of your Paracas itinerary, so don’t miss it.
More about Peru → Sacred Valley
2. Visit Paracas National Reserve
One of the best things to do in Paras is to visit the Paracas National Reserve. Most people get there by bus or car, but you can rent a bike in town and visit on your own.
The Paracas National Reserve entrance fee is 11 Soles (3 USD) for adults and 3 Soles (1 USD) for children.
Paracas National Reserve offers fantastic views where the ocean meets the desert.
Keep reading → How to Visit Machu Picchu
At the time of our visit, due to windy weather, all boat tours to the Ballestas Islands were not allowed to depart before 10 AM. Therefore, we could only spend a short time exploring the Paracas National Reserve.
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If you have a drone, bring it with you because the views from above are stunningly beautiful. Book your tour of the Ballestas Islands & Paracas National Reserve.
3. Try the National Dish of Peru
If you like fish dishes, you must try the national dish of Peru, Ceviche in Paracas.
This Peruvian dish is typically made from fresh raw fish marinated in citrus juices (lime or lemon) and seasoned with onions, oil, coriander, chili peppers, and spicy.
In the Nautilus Restaurant, you can eat delicious seafood and Ceviche, have cold drinks, and enjoy the stunning ocean views.
Read our → Cusco Itinerary
4. Buggy ride in Paracas National Reserve
Explore Paracas National Reserve on a sand buggy tour and get to places you can’t reach on foot. Although this is a popular activity in Paracas, we recommend doing a sand buggy tour in Huacachina instead.
If you skip this experience, you can visit the Paracas National Reserve by bus or rent a bike.
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.
5. Day Trip to the Desert Oasis of Peru
The unique desert oasis of Huacachina is a popular day trip from Paracas. However, we recommend you stay at least one day in Huacachina.
Huacachina is just 1.5 hours from Paracas. Book your bus tickets from Paracas to Huacachina HERE.
You can enjoy the beautiful sunset, discover the highest sand dunes in South America, join a buggy tour, or go sandboarding.
Make the most of your visit and book a combined tour of Huacachina and Paracas through Viator. This tour is one of the most reviewed, so you will not be disappointed.
Recommended post → Best Things to Do in Huacachina
6. Go Kitesurfing
Are you looking for an exciting experience in Paracas?
If you want to go kitesurfing in Peru, Paracas is the perfect place. If you’ve never tried but it’s on your bucket list, there’s a school where you can take lessons. We recommend PeruKite kitesurfing school.
You can rent complete equipment for 70 USD/day.
The weather in Paracas is windy, and because the water is shallow, it’s easy to learn to kitesurf. The best windy months are from November to April.
See also → What to Do in Lima
7. Explore the town of Paracas
Although the small coastal town of Paracas is not as beautiful as other cities in Peru, it is worth a visit. You can easily stroll around, buy souvenirs or some clothes, relax on the beach, enjoy the beautiful sunset, and eat delicious churros or ice cream.
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The Peruvian Pelicans like to chill out near the coast, so it’s easy to take some great photos of them.
Where to Eat in Paracas
Paracas was one of our favorite places to eat in Peru, where we tried seafood and Ceviche.
These are our recommendations in Paracas.
Best restaurants in Paracas, Peru
- Restaurant Nautilus (Best Ceviche)
- Chalana (Delicious seafood)
- Fruzion (Good smoothies and hamburgers)
- Vegano Peruano (Vegan restaurant with a great view)
- Restaurant Paracas (One of the best places to eat)
- Arena Cafe, Paracas (Delicious coffee and breakfast)
Where to Stay in Paracas
Although Paracas is a small town, the accommodation options are available for all budgets. You can choose from cheap hostels to mid-range hotels and luxury resorts.
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In high season we strongly recommend booking accommodation in advance.
Best hotels in Paracas, Peru
- Luxury: Hotel Paracas
- Mid-Range: DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Paracas
- Budget: Kokopelli Paracas Hostel
How many Days do you Need in Paracas, Peru?
Most people only spend 1 day in Paracas, but you can stay longer.
We arrived in Paracas from Lima and explored the town in the afternoon. The next day, we took a boat tour around the Ballestas Islands and visited the Paracas National Reserve. After that, we traveled to Huacachina.
We hope our list of the best things to do in Paracas will help you plan your next trip to Peru. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comments below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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