Make your way through the Peruvian coast and discover an otherworldly location that perfectly merges the arid desert of Paracas with the vast Pacific Ocean. The Paracas National Reserve was one of the first protected areas of the country, created to preserve a great part of Peru’s coastside biodiversity.
The Paracas region is visited by thousands of tourists every year since it is the perfect getaway destination from Lima, offering the perfect setting to practice adventure sports such as windsurfing, dune buggy riding, and much more.
Also, the Paracas National Reserve is just in front of the famous Ballestas Islands, also known as the Peruvian Small Galapagos, a group of small islands and rock formations home to the largest sea lion colony in the region.
Likewise, there’s so much to know about it since these lands were inhabited by several ancient civilizations and thanks to the arid weather, a large quantity of archeological artifacts were found in nearly perfect conditions.
If you’re looking to escape the bustling Lima city, then this is the way to go. Find yourself surrounded by scenic beaches, marine wildlife, and the best pisco sour you’ll ever taste here!
Surprisingly, the Paracas peninsula was inhabited long before the Incas existed, presumably between 700 B.C. and 200 A.D. The Paracas culture was one of the first civilizations that ruled these lands though they expanded their territory all the way to the Pisco province.
However, the archeological remains found in these ancient lands belonged to the Topara society, which developed between 200 B.C. and 100 A.D.
The famous civilization left a secret buried in the arid lands of the Paracas desert and was later discovered by the renowned archeologist Julio C. Tello, who mistakenly confused them with the Paracas people.
Nonetheless, cranes and beautiful textiles were found buried in the sand, an important discovery that gave us a glimpse at the pre-Inca history of the Peruvian coast. Nowadays, the findings are showcased in the Julio C. Tello Museum.
Going further into the future, the Paracas National Reserve was born out of the initiative to raise awareness of the preservation of the region’s natural diversity. The national reserves were founded on September 25th, 1975, comprehending an area of 3,350 km2.
Although the arid desert of Paracas may not seem as propitious for life, it actually holds a large variety of fauna, without forgetting the nearly 300 animal species that live in the surroundings.
- Playa La Mina is fun for an afternoon of sunbathing and camping. The beautiful beach is in a cove that protects it from winds and gives it calmer waters better suited for swimming. Close by is Lagunillas, a tiny fishing village, where you can scarf down a fresh seafood meal of ceviche and other Peruvian food favorites.
- Playa Roja, or Red Beach, has maroon-colored sands that get its color from the erosion of porphyry rocks. The beach is a popular spot to visit on a Paracas tour.
- Playa Yumaque is an alternative when conditions are crowded at La Mina. The long stretch of sand at Yumaque gives plenty of space to spread out from other visitors, and the beach has public restroom facilities. Campers set up their tents on the sand, often with their cars nearby, and fire up their grill around sunset for dinner.
- The undulating coastline of Paracas stretches as far as the eyes can see and gives way to more remote beaches. Playa Mendieta and Playa Barlovento are among the picturesque beaches that are usually reached by visitors with their cars or private transport.
- El Candelabro, The giant Paracas Candelabra glyph is on the northern tip of the Paracas Peninsula. Experts have not been able to determine if this drawing is related to the Nazca Lines.
- La Catedral, The once-regal sea arch known as La Catedral was an icon of the coastline of Paracas. Unfortunately, the rock formation was largely destroyed in the 2007 earthquake that devastated the region, including the town of Pisco north of the reserve. Today the lookout from where it was once possible to admire La Catedral is still a nice spot to admire the coast.
As you already know, the Paracas National Reserve is located near the town of Paracas, a few kilometers away from Lima. For that reason, it is an easy day trip from the so-called City of Kings since it only takes a 4-hour drive to get to this magical place.
Although you could get a taxi and explore it on your own, keep in mind that there are so many places and secrets that you won’t be able to see without a guide.
Therefore, we highly recommend you plan ahead before getting to this destination so you can have a set time to sail across the ocean and explore the magical setting of the Ballestas Islands.
Luckily for you, we have a special Paracas National Reserve Tour where you’ll be able to appreciate this outstanding scenery and more!
Would you like to know more about Peru? Here you’ll find all the information you need for your trip. Our local expert team has prepared the most complete informative guides for you!
Also, if you’re eager to know Peru at its fullest, check out our travel packages and live an authentic experience with Viagens Machu Picchu.
