Peru
Paracas and Ica form Peru's desert coast: a bay where sea lions, penguins and seabirds crowd the Ballestas Islands, a national reserve of red sand beaches and ochre cliffs, a lagoon oasis ringed by some of the tallest dunes in South America, vineyards and pisco bodegas in the Ica valley, and the great geoglyphs of Nazca a short flight away.
This guide books the region properly: speedboat tours to the islands, reserve tours by van, buggy, quad and foot, sunset sails, dune buggies and sandboarding at Huacachina, canyon and winery days, museum and cemetery visits, and flights over the Nazca Lines, with a private full-day option for those who want it. Six guides cover itineraries, where to stay, seasons, the Nazca flights, food and drink, and getting here from Lima, and ten hotels, from bayfront resorts and desert glamping to hostels and a Nazca base, show where to sleep.
Ballestas Islands Boat Tour from Paracas
The short speedboat run from the El Chaco pier to the Ballestas Islands: sea lions on the rocks, Humboldt penguins, boobies and pelicans, and the Candelabra geoglyph on the way. The signature two-hour outing of the Peruvian coast.
Ballestas Islands and Paracas National Reserve Day Trip
The classic Paracas combination in one day: the morning boat to the Ballestas Islands, then a guided drive through the desert reserve to red sand beaches, cliffs and lookouts. The best value way to see both halves of Paracas.
Huacachina Oasis Visit
A palm-fringed lagoon ringed by towering sand dunes just outside Ica. The postcard oasis of Peru, with cafes, hostels and the best dune views at sunset.
Buggy and Sandboard Adventure in Huacachina
Roar over the dunes in a big-wheeled buggy, then slide down on a sandboard. The signature adrenaline outing of Peru's southern coast.
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
The short speedboat run from the El Chaco pier to the Ballestas Islands: sea lions on the rocks, Humboldt penguins, boobies and pelicans, and the Candelabra geoglyph on the way. The signature two-hour outing of the Peruvian coast.
The classic Paracas combination in one day: the morning boat to the Ballestas Islands, then a guided drive through the desert reserve to red sand beaches, cliffs and lookouts. The best value way to see both halves of Paracas.
A guided half day in Peru's oldest marine reserve: red sand beaches, tall sea cliffs, flamingo lagoons and the lookouts over the Pacific. The desert landscape is the second great sight of Paracas.
A Ballestas boat tour that gives the Candelabra, the giant geoglyph carved on the hillside, its due. See the mystery figure from the water, then the sea lions and seabirds of the islands.
A guided walk through the dunes and cliffs of the Paracas desert at golden hour. A quiet, active way to see the reserve away from the vans.
Drive a small desert buggy across the dunes of the Paracas reserve with a guide. Easy to handle, fast enough to thrill, and great views at every stop.
A quad bike ride along the sand tracks and cliffs of the Paracas reserve. Fast, dusty and fun, with stops at beaches and lookouts.
Watch the sun sink into the Pacific from the cliffs of the Paracas reserve. The warm light turns the desert copper and the sky pink, a gentle end to a day of adventure.
Paddle through calm shallows to watch flamingos in the wild. A quiet, close wildlife encounter on the water of Paracas.
A relaxed catamaran sail around Paracas Bay with sea breezes, open decks and views of the coast. A softer alternative to the speedboat.
A tandem paragliding flight above the desert cliffs and sea of Paracas. A bird's-eye view of one of Peru's most striking coastlines.
The free beaches of the Paracas peninsula: red sand at Playa Roja, sheltered La Mina and the fishing cove of Lagunillas. Dramatic desert scenery by the sea.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Paracas Bay
A large bayfront resort on the Paracas shoreline, with pools, gardens, spa services and rooms facing the water. The easiest full-service base for the Ballestas boats and the reserve.
Check rates →Paracas Bay
The grand bayfront hotel of Paracas, with colonial-style architecture, a long garden to the water, pools and a spa. A classic choice for a special stay.
Check rates →Paracas Town Centre
A sociable hostel in the middle of town, with dorms and private rooms, a pool or patio area and easy walking to restaurants and tour offices.
Check rates →Paracas Town Centre
A simple, friendly stay in the heart of Paracas, close to restaurants, tour offices and the promenade. A practical budget base.
Check rates →Paracas
A comfortable mid-range stay near the Paracas waterfront, with calm rooms and a good base for the boats and the reserve.
Check rates →Huacachina
A stay in the Huacachina oasis village, steps from the lagoon and the dunes. Wake up to desert views and walk to the sunset climb.
Check rates →Huacachina
A family-run stay near the Huacachina lagoon, with simple rooms, a friendly welcome and an easy walk to the dunes.
Check rates →Huacachina Dunes
Desert glamping among the dunes outside Huacachina, with stargazing, private tents and buggy rides from camp.
Check rates →Ica
A large resort-style hotel on the edge of Ica, with pools, gardens, sports facilities and an easy base for wineries and the dunes.
Check rates →Nazca
A reliable chain hotel in Nazca, with a pool, restaurant and an easy base for the Nazca Lines flights and the cemetery.
Check rates →Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Ballestas Islands Boat Tour from ParacasStay
The Legend Paracas ResortParacas Bay
Do
Ballestas Islands and Paracas National Reserve Day TripStay
El Santuario ParacasParacas
Do
Huacachina Oasis VisitStay
Villa HuacachinaHuacachina
A three-day plan that links the Ballestas Islands, the Paracas reserve, the Huacachina dunes and a flight over the Nazca Lines, with the order that saves the most time.
How to choose a base in southern Peru, from the quiet Paracas bayfront and the Huacachina oasis to Ica's resorts and Nazca's flight hotels.
Seasons, wind, haze and crowds across the Peruvian south coast, with the best months and times of day for boats, dunes and flights.
How to see the Nazca Lines from the air or the ground, what flights involve, how to avoid motion sickness and which add-ons are worth the time.
What to eat and drink on the south coast of Peru, from fresh seafood and ceviche in Paracas to pisco tastings and sweets in Ica.
How far Paracas is from Lima, how to travel by bus or private transfer, whether to do it in a day and how to continue to Ica and Nazca.
