Paracas Travel Guide (+ Map)
TL;DR
Our Paracas travel guide shows why this laid-back coastal town is worth a stop on your Peru itinerary, with stunning wildlife, desert landscapes, and plenty of ways to relax by the sea.
Are you wondering whether Paracas is worth adding to your Peru itinerary? You’re not alone! Having explored Paracas ourselves, we can confidently say it offers much more than meets the eye. From spotting sea lions and penguins on the Ballestas Islands to wandering the surreal desert-meets-ocean landscapes of the Paracas National Reserve, this town surprised us at every turn.
This guide is written for curious travellers mapping out their Peru adventure, especially those planning a route between Lima and Cusco. Think of this as advice from friends who have already been – sharing the highlights, tips, and a few “know-before-you-go” details so you can make the most of your time in Paracas.
Paracas Travel Guide
Paracas Map
Is Paracas Worth Visiting?
Paracas is absolutely worth adding to your Peru itinerary. It’s the perfect hub to the Ballestas Islands, often called the “Poor Man’s Galápagos”. On a boat tour, you can spot sea lions, penguins, and other seabirds as well as the mysterious Candelabra geoglyph.
On land, the Paracas National Reserve stuns with its beaches, dramatic cliffs, and the desert meeting the ocean.
The town itself is tiny and walkable, with a laid-back vibe, plenty of fresh ceviche, and affordable menus del día alongside seafront bars offering pisco sour deals.
This small seaside town offers a perfect mix of wildlife, desert landscapes, and relaxation, which makes Paracas a great stopover between Lima, Huacachina, and Nazca, especially if you love nature, want a break from city life, or just crave a slower pace by the sea.
Where We Stayed in Paracas
We stayed at Casa Mahulu. The owners were lovely, the location was great, the room was comfy, and the value for money was hard to beat.
How to Get to Paracas
Both Peru Bus and Cruz del Sur offer a direct bus service from Lima to Paracas. We opted for Cruz del Sur as their buses leave much more regularly (note that the Cruz del Sur terminal is a short walk out of town). You can check out the bus schedule and buy tickets here.
If you come from Huacachina, there’s one direct shuttle per day from Wayki Bus as well as loads of connections with Cruz del Sur (and some with Peru Bus) from Ica. You can check out the bus schedule and buy tickets here. You can get an easy 15-minute Uber to get from Huacachina to Ica.
How to Get Around Paracas
Paracas is tiny and very walkable.
Things to Do in Paracas
1. Boat Tour of the Ballestas Islands
The main reason we came to Paracas was a boat tour of the Ballestas Islands, and we were not disappointed.
We saw everything we wanted to see:
- sea birds, including penguins and boobies
- sea lions
- the candelabra geoglyph
2. Paracas National Reserve
The National Reserve is Paracas' highlight on land. The desert-like landscape is breathtaking, and you can visit several viewpoints and beaches. The main points of interest are
- Cathedral (viewpoint)
- Isthmus of the peninsula (viewpoint)
- Playa Roja (viewpoint)
- Playa La Mina (beach)
- Lagunillas (beach)
We opted to visit the Paracas National Reserve with a guided tour, which was both convenient and great value for money. We have written a complete review:
We have also met travellers who rented a bicycle (the route is long and there is literally no shade) or a quad.
3. Relax at the Beach
Along the Malecon in Paracas, you can find the beach where you can swim or relax on rental loungers.
There are also plenty of options for food or to shop for souvenirs along the promenade.
Where to Eat in Paracas
Along the southwestern stretch of the Malecon, there’s a whole row of food stalls with pretty affordable menus del día.
There are also loads of places with a more westernised cuisine (and higher prices) at the seafront. We liked Karamba Resto-Bar and Bamboo Lodge. Keep your eyes open for 2-for-1 pisco sour deals!
For more affordable food options, you have to walk a bit further from the beach. We had a great menu del día, including ceviche at Margaret.
How Many Days in Paracas Do You Need
One full day is enough if you tour the Ballestas Islands in the morning and the Paracas National Reserve in the afternoon.
If you want to split these activities into two days or if you want more time to relax at the beach, you need more time.
Paracas Tips
ATMs in Paracas
Currently, there’s only one ATM in Paracas, which seems to be demanding quite a high fee. We recommend stocking up on cash before you go, e.g., in Lima.
Supermarkets in Paracas
We found plenty of mini markets in Paracas, but no big supermarket.
Internet in Paracas
We had great internet both in our accommodation and with our eSIM card.
Is Paracas Safe
Paracas is tiny and touristy. It’s pretty safe, especially if you stick to the populated areas and apply general precautions.
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