Tours in Paracas: Ballestas Islands and National Reserve
Sail among sea lions and Humboldt penguins, explore the desert where it meets the sea, and discover why Paracas is the favorite getaway at Lima.
- 36 tours available
- From $13.00
- All year round · Best from December through March
- 1 to 2 days
Why Visit Paracas
- Unique marine wildlife: sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and guano birds
- The National Reserve, where the desert meets the sea
- Just 3½ hours from Lima via the Pan-American Highway South
- We are direct operators with our own vessels
Tours and Experiences in Paracas
Bicycles in Paracas
Paracas National Reserve · Biking · Viewpoints
Offer
Buggies & Sanding
Dunes · Buggies · Paracas Desert
Catamaran in Paracas
Catamaran · Sail through Paracas Bay
Paragliding in Paracas
Paragliding · Landscapes · Adrenaline
Kitesurfing in Paracas
Kitesurfing · Lessons · Paracas Bay
Packages that include Paracas
8 days
The best of the south 8 days 7 nights
- LIMA
- Paracas
- Ica and Huacachina
- Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transfers
2 days
Paracas Ica 2 days 1 night departing from Lima
- Paracas
- Ica and Huacachina
- LIMA
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transfers
- Guide
2 days
Ica Paracas 2 days 1 night
- Ica and Huacachina
- Paracas
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transfers
- Guide
3 days
Paracas Ica Nazca 3 days 2 nights (Land tour)
- Paracas
- Ica and Huacachina
- Nazca
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Tickets
20 days, 19 nights
Peru Adventurer
- LIMA
- Paracas
- Nazca
- Arequipa and Colca
- Puno and Lake Titicaca
- Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transfers
- Guide
11 days, 10 nights
Southern Peru
- LIMA
- Arequipa and Colca
- Puno and Lake Titicaca
- Ica and Huacachina
- Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Nazca
- Paracas
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transfers
- Guide
14 days, 13 nights
Magical Peru
- LIMA
- Paracas
- Nazca
- Arequipa and Colca
- Puno and Lake Titicaca
- Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transfers
- Guide
3 days, 2 nights
Paracas - Ica | 3 Days, 2 Nights
- Paracas
- Ica and Huacachina
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transfers
- Guide
3 days, 2 nights
Paracas - Ica - Nazca | 3 Days, 2 Nights
- Paracas
- Ica and Huacachina
- Nazca
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transfers
- Tickets
2 days, 1 night
Paracas - Nazca | 2 Days 1 Night
- Paracas
- Nazca
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transfers
- Tickets
2 days, 1 night
Paracas - Ica - Nazca | 2 Days 1 Night
- Paracas
- Ica and Huacachina
- Nazca
- Accommodation
- Transfers
- Guide
- Tickets
2 days, 1 night
Paracas - Ica 2 Days 1 Night
- Paracas
- Ica and Huacachina
- Accommodation
- Guide
- Tickets
Things to Do in Paracas
Ballestas Islands
A two-hour boat tour to see sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and thousands of birds, with a stop in front of the El Candelabro geoglyph.
Paracas National Reserve
Cliffs, red-sand beaches, and coastal desert in a protected area spanning 335,000 hectares. Must-see sites: Playa Roja, La Mina, and the Lagunillas overlook.
The Candelabra
A 180-meter geoglyph carved into the slope of the peninsula, visible only from the sea. Its origin remains a mystery.
Water Sports and Sunsets
Kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing at sunset in the bay—one of the calmest on the Peruvian coast.
How to Get to Paracas and When to Visit
-
From Lima
3 hours 30 minutes
Via the Pan-American Highway South, 260 km. Daily departures by tour bus or private transfer with pickup at your hotel.
-
From Ica
1 hr 15 min
Direct connection to Huacachina and Ica, ideal for combining an oasis and the ocean in a single trip.
-
From Nazca
3 h
A common route for those traveling through southern Peru from north to south.
When to Visit
Paracas can be visited year-round thanks to its dry, temperate climate, with temperatures ranging from 18 °C to 28 °C.
From December through March, the sea is warmer and the days are sunnier: this is the best season for the beach and water sports. From June through September, mornings are often cloudy, but marine life is just as abundant and there are fewer visitors.
Trips to the Ballestas Islands always depart in the morning, when the sea is calmest.
Before Traveling
- Bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses: the desert sun is intense all year round
- A light jacket for sailing: the breeze is cool out at sea
- Please bring your ID or passport; it is required for boarding.
- Book in advance during peak season and long holidays
- Two days is enough time to visit the Ballestas Islands, the Reserve, and enjoy a sunset in the bay
Frequently Asked Questions About Paracas
One full day is enough to visit the Ballestas Islands in the morning and the National Reserve in the afternoon. If you want to add Huacachina to your itinerary or enjoy the bay at a leisurely pace, two days are ideal.
Yes. We offer daily departures from Lima that include transportation, a tour of the Ballestas Islands, and a return trip on the same day. It’s a long day, so if you have time, we recommend staying overnight in Paracas.
Wildlife can be observed year-round. Between January and March, sea lion pups can be seen, and Humboldt penguins are present in every season.
Only if the Harbor Master's Office closes the pier due to sea conditions. In that case, we will reschedule your departure at no cost or refund your payment.
Yes, it's a very family-friendly destination. On the boat trip to the Ballestas Islands, the minimum age is usually 3 years old, and all passengers must wear life jackets.
Paracas Guide
Paracas is one of the most visited destinations in southern Peru and the natural gateway to the Ballestas Islands and the Paracas National Reserve. Located in the Ica region, about 260 kilometers from Lima, this beach resort combines the ocean, the desert, and one of the most significant concentrations of marine life in the South American Pacific—all within a few kilometers.
Tours in Paracas are primarily organized around two experiences. The first is a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands, an approximately two-hour tour that departs from the El Chaco pier and allows visitors to observe sea lions, Humboldt penguins, boobies, guanayes, and zarcillos in their natural habitat, with a stop in front of the El Candelabro geoglyph. The second is a land tour through the Paracas National Reserve, a protected area that includes Playa Roja, La Mina, and overlooks on cliffs that drop straight down to the ocean.
Travelers coming from Lima often combine Paracas with Huacachina and Ica on a two- or three-day itinerary, taking advantage of the proximity of these three destinations. It’s also a common stop on longer tours through southern Peru that continue on to Nazca, Arequipa, and Cusco.
As a local agency based in Paracas with our own boats, we operate our tours directly: this allows us to offer more flexible schedules, our own crew, and personalized service before, during, and after your trip. Contact us on WhatsApp, and we’ll help you put together the itinerary that best fits your dates.
