Paracas and the Ballestas Islands

The main tourist attraction of Paracas is the Ballestas Islands, located about fifteen kilometers away. This is an archipelago of rocky islets with spectacular relief, made up of cliffs, arches and caverns, home to a population of several thousand sea lions and tens of thousands of birds. Visitors can observe several species of cormorants, pelicans, various boobies, Inca terns, Humboldt penguins, and dozens of other species.

The large quantity of birds has generated a thick layer of guano on the Ballestas Islands over the centuries, which was exploited in the 19th century as fertilizer and became one of Peru’s most important exports. Today the guano from the islands represents only a minor economic resource.

The richness of the bird life is linked to the abundance of fish in the waters off the coast of Peru, itself due to the Humboldt marine current, whose cold waters flow up along South America from Antarctica. Because of the richness of their wildlife, the Ballestas Islands are sometimes nicknamed the Galapagos of Peru.

The excursion to the Ballestas Islands departs in the morning from the fishing port of Paracas and lasts about two hours. In addition to the sea lions and seabirds, dolphins can also occasionally be observed.

While the Ballestas Islands excursion is clearly Paracas’ main tourist attraction, there are other reasons to stop here between Nazca and Lima or even to spend several days. In recent years, Paracas has become an important relaxation spot for the residents of Lima, in particular with the arrival of several 5-star hotels (La Hacienda, Hilton Double Tree, Libertador, Aranwa). It is therefore a place for relaxation that can, for example, be reserved for the end of a trip to Peru.

However, it should be noted that the Pacific coast here is bathed by cold waters and swimming is really only pleasant in summer, from December to March. The best beaches in Peru remain, without a doubt, those of Mancora and Punta Sal, at the northern tip of the country, where the ocean temperature is much more pleasant.

Another excursion worth taking is the one that visits the land portion of the Paracas National Reserve. This half-day excursion reveals the desert environment of the Paracas peninsula, its cliffs, beaches and wildlife, in particular the flamingos that stop here during their migration. The excursion includes a visit to the Tello Museum on the ancient Paracas culture, renowned for the beauty of its textile pieces.

Paracas also offers the possibility of an adventure excursion into the desert aboard a dune buggy. The outing lasts about three hours and offers splendid scenery with an oasis and near-Saharan dunes, the chance to try sandboarding, and guaranteed thrills.