When in Peru, people overlook Paracas Town, a tiny city surrounded by fascinating attractions ready to be discovered. That’s why in this guide we’ll see what activities and places you can see in Paracas.
According to the official Peruvian Government webpage, the reserve covers 335,000 hectares. It is home to 200 bird species and many aquatic creatures.
It was set up in 1975 to protect a rare maritime ecosystem. The ecosystem includes a large piece of a coastal desert and the remnants of the Paracas culture.
This Pre- Inca culture thrived between 700 BC and 200 AD. The finds are currently on display at the Julio C. Tello Museum. This museum was named after the archaeologist who discovered this ancient civilization
The Ballestas Islands are called “The Small Galapagos” or “Poor Man Galapagos”. They are a group of rocks and small islands in front of Paracas National Reserve.
These islands house Humboldt penguins, exotic birds, and hundreds of sea lions. This wonder is a great home for all these creatures. It's Paracas' top tourist spot.
You can easily visit them on a two-hour boat cruise, and if you're lucky, you might even spot dolphins or baby sea lions! It is one of Peru's most valuable natural resources. It supports a diverse range of plants and animals. Many are now protected
The Ballestas Islands are famous for hosting a large sea lion colony, they also have intriguing rock formations that add a distinctive touch to the maritime landscape.
As a result, the Small Galapagos are magnificent. They are among Peru's most famous sights, the location is ideal for a deep dive into nature. It's a journey to a world unknown to many but as lovely as you could imagine. Some creatures you can spot during your tour of the Ballestas Islands are:
The Peruvian Pelican is frequently spotted on rocks or docks in fishing ports, looking for carrion. They're distinguished by their bright yellow crowns and a bluish "bag" beneath their peak where they keep the fish they catch.
If you didn't know, a penguin colony lives on Peru's rocky coasts. The Humboldt Penguin is the only species to have lived in Peru since its discovery. It is a marine bird that, like most of its kind, cannot fly.
Yet, its curled wings, which look like flings, let it swim fast. Sardines and anchovies are among the items they eat frequently.
They are often shy around humans, so you'll be lucky to observe them from a distance. The Humboldt Penguin may spend up to two hours underwater, and they have a lifespan of 12-15 years.
The sea lion is the first animal that comes to mind when you think of the Ballestas Islands. Thousands of them visit these gorgeous rock formations to breed or simply sunbathe.
The South American Sea Lion is known for its large squared head, short nose, and distinctive brown or chocolate hue. They can weigh up to 300 kg and are typically found along South American coasts, between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
The main producer of guano in the region is the reed-footed cormorant bird. This bird species is easy to spot and identify from other Guanay Cormorants since it is the only one with a white chest and belly and red feet and eyes.
They frequently nest on the flat surfaces of Peruvian islands and feed primarily on anchovies. In 1954, there were around 22 million red-footed guanay cormorants, but their population has since dropped to less than 900,000 because of guano mining.
These are some species that inhabit this region, and you can discover for yourself on our Paracas and Islas Ballestas tour. In this 2-hour boat tour, wearing a lifevest you’ll get to know what this island has to offer.
As you may know, the Inca Empire was born in Cusco. Then it grew and expanded to other parts of Peru and South America, proof of this is Tambo Colorado.
Tambo Colorado was an Inca village with wari culture traits. It served as a center for trade, politics, homes, and ceremonies. It dates from the 15th century, especially 1450 A.D.
The Inca Ruins' original name could have been "Pucallacta" or "Pucahuasi." Both come from "Puka," which means Red in the Inca’s native language, Quechua. The structure was painted with yellow, white, and red stripes, which may still be seen on some of the walls, earning its name.
The whole pre-Columbian structure was made of crushed stone and adobes. They blend beautifully with the lovely Pisco River Valley.
Viagens Machu Picchu offers tours of this intriguing location. This tour helps you solve the site's riddles while visiting its ancient architecture and narrow alleyways. You’ll see the adobe and rammed earth buildings.
They have trapezoidal niches and doors. There is a central plaza, storehouses, and homes where the Incas lived.
“El Candelabro” in Spanish is a mysterious gigantic draw in a trident-ish form, similar to a candelabra located in the Paracas Peninsula. The image is 180 meters long. It's chiseled into the sandy hills of the Paracas Peninsula.
It is visible from miles away and is a stunning sight for visitors. Researchers and archaeologists disagree on its exact origins and purpose. However, people believe this geoglyph was made in the old Nazca culture.
Some say it was a navigational tool for ancient seafarers. Others believe it had religious or cultural meaning. Today, the Giant Candelabra is a popular tourist attraction in the Paracas region as boat cruises let guests see the symbol up close.
Travelers who see the candelabra for the first time marvel at its huge size and detailed design. We are sure that this Candelabra will add mystery and charm to your time to visit Paracas.
You may know that food experts and enthusiasts love Peruvian cuisine. They visit our country to enjoy the delicious meals we serve. In our food, we have a spirit, our most representative drink, which is Pisco.
Paracas Peru, in the Ica region, offers "The Pisco route", that will take you into the heart of Pisco production. This tour will take you to several distilleries and vineyards nearby. There, you may learn the history, the process of making pisco, and, particularly tasting many types of our most emblematic drink.
One highlight of the Pisco Route is the chance to watch grape planting and harvesting. These are key steps in making high-quality pisco. Visitors may also see the distillation process.
They will learn how grapes become the famed drink. If you are a fan of enotourism, in other words visiting places to taste wines or drinks, this is your perfect choice.
Paracas itself is a small beach town that has a decent-sized beach that is regularly lined with multicolored umbrellas and laughing people. This is especially true on weekends when residents from the surrounding area come here for some relaxation. You can see from there the sunset or take a stroll on the boulevard, where you’ll see a variety of shops, restaurants, and other businesses where you can buy local food, get a souvenir, or just chill while taking pictures around.
You can rent a bike to explore the National Reserve or to get around the town and its surroundings. But, remember that Viagens Machu Picchu offers quad bike tours along the Paracas National Reserve.
First, our guide will pick you up from your lodging. The guide will take you to start your adventure. If you've never ridden a quad bike, you'll get a brief training session where we'll show you how to handle the bike, You'll see that it's really easy!
After following the instructions, our guide will take us to the national reserve and its wonders. You can appreciate the region's vivid landscape. Bright yellow sand contrasts with the deep blue Pacific Ocean.
Tip: The trip from Lima to Paracas is about 3 hours or more depending on the traffic, make sure to book your bus beforehand. A guaranteed bus company is Cruz del Sur, you can buy bus tickets on the Internet or the same day of your trip. In case you want to know more information about getting to Paracas you can see this guide.
Playa Roja is an amazing red sand beach located within the Paracas National Reserve. The sand's distinctive red tone is caused by red rock fragments carried by the waves from Punta Santa Maria's cliffs.
This beach formed thanks to volcanic activity from ancient eruptions in the Pacific Ocean. The eruptions made clay with a color between orange and reddish, which is in the sand.
The beach is the color of "pink igneous" thanks to a volcanic rock with solidified magma inside. The surf smashes the rocks. It brings reddish pebbles to the shore. They contrast with the cliffs' yellow and ocher tones.
The popular viewpoints in Paracas offer breathtaking views of the region's natural beauty. Some of the most notable vistas include the Mirador de la Cruz del Sur, which provides panoramic views of Paracas Bay and the nearby islands, and the Mirador de la Catedral, which provides a stunning view of La Catedral, a rock formation.
These vantage points not only showcase the magnificence of the white sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, and crystal-clear waters but also allow visitors to take magnificent images and experience nature directly.
Other activities available during your stay in Paracas include taking a boat trip, relaxing on the beaches, and surfing the sand dunes. Remember that the mysterious Nazca lines are close to Paracas, so you can extend your adventure in this region.
Viagens Machu Picchu is committed to assisting you during your stay in Paracas and Peru, check out our travel packages to get to know more about our beautiful count
