Things to do in Paracas
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Top 10 attractions in Paracas
Reserva Nacional de Paracas
Reserva Nacional de Paracas is located in the Pisco Province of Ica, Peru, and can be reached by driving south from Lima along the Pan-American Highway for approx. 3 hours. More than 300,000 hectares of the protected area consist largely of Pacific Ocean waters, while the land portion covers the entire Paracas Peninsula. The ochre-red arid desert plunges directly into the deep blue sea, and this seamless connection between desert and ocean is its signature view. There are many worthwhile stops along the peninsula loop: Red Beach features brick-red sand created by the weathering of porphyry cliffs, creating a striking color contrast with the adjacent azure bay, making it a highly photogenic spot within the reserve; the sea cliff observation deck near the Cathedral rock formation is perfect for overlooking the coastline; and a giant geoglyph known as the Candelabra is carved into the cliff on the northern end of the peninsula, which can only be viewed from the sea when taking a boat trip. The nutrient-rich nearshore cold currents often attract flocks of Chilean flamingos to forage in the shallows of Paracas Bay. The observation deck next to the site museum, named after Peruvian archaeologist Tello, is a popular spot for birdwatching, and the museum displays artifacts from the Paracas culture, which is famous for its exquisite textiles. Boat trips offer the opportunity to see groups of sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and seabirds covering the reefs up close.Pisco Province · 10.7 km from Paracas
Las Ballestas
Las Ballestas is often called the "Little Galapagos of Lima." The desert coast, steep cliffs, and rugged rocky islands create a desolate yet unique natural landscape, home to tens of thousands of seabirds, including Humboldt penguins, Peruvian pelicans, cormorants, and Peruvian boobies. The Humboldt Current, which flows along the coast of Peru, is responsible for this ecological wonder. The cold current brings nutrient-rich deep water to the surface, nourishing vast amounts of plankton and fish, providing an abundant food source for seabirds and marine mammals. Birds have nested on the cliffs for years, and the accumulated guano covers the entire rock face—historically, these guano layers were tens of meters thick and were once an important source of natural fertilizer for Peru. Today, on a boat tour around the islands, in addition to the dense flocks of birds, you can see South American sea lions basking on the rocks, and occasionally dolphins appearing in the nearby waters.Lima · 19.9 km from Paracas
Paracas
Pisco Province · 3.6 km from Paracas
Embarcadero Islas Ballestas
Paracas · 1.2 km from downtown
La Catedral
Pisco Province · 11.3 km from Paracas
Playa de la Mina
Pisco Province · 10.7 km from Paracas
Museo De Sitio Julio C Tello De Paracas
Pisco Province · 3.8 km from Paracas
Mirador Playa Roja
Pisco Province · 8.4 km from Paracas
Candelabro de Paracas
Pisco Province · 8.1 km from Paracas
Plaza de Armas
Pisco · 15.4 km from Paracas
Experiences you can't miss in Paracas
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What travelers say about Paracas
M25***40April 12, 2021
4.0
This port city is famous for its rugged coastline and more than 40 guano-covered islands along the coast. Due to the abundant fish in this area, millions of birds are attracted to soar among the blue sea and blue waves, with white crystal clear waters. The guano rocks sparkle in the sun and complement each other, forming a wonderful natural landscape. We took a yacht from the port to Bird Island and walked around the island for about an hour, admiring the noisy screams of the guano rocks lying on the rocky shore. sea lions, seals
Reserva Nacional de Paracas
泰宁根吴承恩April 27, 2020
4.0
You need to take a boat out to visit the Bird Island. This is a real Bird Island. The residents on it are birds. It is said that the Peruvians in the past used the guano on the Bird Island as fertilizer for farming.
Las Ballestas
