When I decided to spend one night in Paracas, I was worried that visiting just for the day would be a bit too rushed, but in hindsight, it was perfect for me. There are loads of things to do in Paracas and the surrounding towns, but I suppose that’s the point of what I’m saying here: If you’re planning to visit other places in this part of Peru like Pisco, Huacachina or Nazca, one day in Paracas to see the Ballestas Islands is fine. But, if you’re just here to visit for a few days and don’t plan to travel on, you should probably stay for a few more days to make the most out of your trip.
The town is unique because of its natural wonders and its location close to the desert, offering a perfect blend of coastal and desert experiences that you won’t find elsewhere in Peru.
There wasn’t much of a vibe in the town itself, and a lot of people do pass through here as a day trip rather than overnight, so the atmosphere was quite quiet. But don’t let that fool you – Paracas packs plenty of adventure into its small corner of Peru’s coast.
🇵🇪 Recommended reading: A Travel Guide to Paracas, Peru
About Paracas
Paracas sits on Peru’s Pacific coast, about 260 kilometres south of Lima, serving as the gateway to both the Paracas National Reserve and the famous Ballestas Islands. This small fishing town has transformed into a must-visit destination on the tourist trail, thanks to its incredible wildlife and unique position where the desert meets the sea.
While most visitors only need a day to experience the main attractions in Paracas, the town offers enough variety to keep adventure seekers busy for much longer. It’s not a major destination like Cusco or Arequipa, but rather a strategic stop that perfectly breaks up the journey between Lima and more southern attractions like Huacachina and Nazca.
How to Get to Paracas
Paracas is usually either a stop on a wider Peru itinerary, or a short trip during a stay in Lima. Since there are no local airports, the only way to get there is by road, either by public bus, tourist shuttle, or car. I recommend a tourist shuttle with either Peru Hop or Wayki bus; they are really well organised and, for this portion of the trip, didn’t cost any more than the public bus would have been!
A lot of people just stop here for the day on their way to Huacachina or somewhere even further south, which makes perfect sense given the town’s location. The journey from Lima takes approximately 3-4 hours by bus (tickets cost around S/30-60 [7-14€] depending on the service), while private transport can get you there in about 3 hours for S/150-200 (35-47€). If you’re coming from the south, Ica is the nearest major city, just about an hour away.
🇵🇪 Recommended reading: Where to Stay in Paracas, Peru
Things to Do in Paracas
Paracas might be small, but it’s absolutely packed with activities that showcase Peru’s incredible natural diversity. From marine wildlife to desert adventures, here’s everything you need to know about things to do in Paracas.
Ballestas Islands
I loved this boat tour of the Ballestas Islands and I’m really glad that I did it! We got to see tonnes of sea lions really up close, and we also saw a glimpse of a penguin (although it wasn’t the right season for them to be out and about). The islands are often called the “Poor Man’s Galápagos,” and while that might be selling them short, the wildlife viewing is genuinely spectacular. Tours typically cost around S/50 (12€) and depart early in the morning when the sea is calmest.
➡️ Book your boat trip here to skip the queue (it’s a little more expensive than booking when you arrive)
Paracas National Reserve
This vast protected area is a great place to see more of the natural beauty for which Paracas has become an essential stop on the Peru tourist trail. The reserve entrance fee is S/11 (2.60€), and you can explore it by bike, on a tour, or with a private taxi. The dramatic coastline where red sand cliffs meet turquoise waters creates some of the most photogenic landscapes in Peru.
➡️ Go Quadbiking in Paracas National Reserve
Dune Buggy Tour
This is usually combined with sandboarding, but you can also book them separately. You literally get strapped into the buggy like you would in a roller coaster and they rag you around the place. The driver takes you bombing up and down the massive sand dunes at breakneck speed, doing sharp turns that make the buggy tilt at crazy angles, and launching off the tops of dunes so you get that stomach-dropping feeling when you go airborne. It’s like being on a theme park ride, except you’re racing through actual desert!
Sandboarding
I really enjoyed sandboarding, and I’m a bit of a scaredy cat. It’s not as scary as it looks! You do go down head-first but you can also brake by digging your feet into the sand, which helps take the edge off for people like me who are a little less daring. Most tours give you all the equipment and basic instruction before sending you down those massive dunes. Also, after you go down, you all wait at the bottom and the buggy comes to pick you up and take you to the next dune, so you don’t wear yourself out climbing back up.
➡️ Book your Sandboarding Trip Here
Hiking in the Dunes
Unless you know where you’re going, I’d recommend taking a local guide or booking a tour to go hiking, because it’s so easy to get lost in the desert and you can get hot and dehydrated quickly. The dunes around Paracas offer stunning views, especially at sunrise or sunset, but the heat can be really intense during the day.
Watch the Sunset on the Beach
The beaches in Paracas are nice and they face to the west, meaning you can watch the sun set over the water year-round, just like in Lima. El Chaco beach is popular for sunset viewing, with several beachfront restaurants where you can enjoy a pisco sour while the sun dips below the horizon. (You can also get onto this beach from the back of the Viajero Hostel, which is my top recommendation for where to stay in Paracas.)
Beach Volleyball
We saw loads of people playing volleyball on the beach and it was a regularly scheduled activity by the Viajero Hostel whilst we were there. It’s a great way to meet other travellers and locals alike – just don’t expect to win against the Peruvians 😉
Kitesurfing
The Paracas area is famous for steady winds, making it a good place for kitesurfing (I mean, so I heard – I haven’t tried it myself). With flat, shallow waters and reliable wind conditions pretty much every single day, Paracas has become a popular spot for both beginners and experienced kitesurfers. Several kitesurfing schools offer equipment rental and lessons, typically costing around S/250-300 (58-70€) for a day’s equipment hire or lessons.
Paragliding
If you want to see Paracas from a bird’s eye view, you can also go paragliding here. The experience begins on top of high sand ravines, in front of the Paracas sea, where the sea winds are steady. You’ll be tucked into a paragliding harness with an experienced pilot, so you can sit back and enjoy the views. The wind conditions in Paracas are quite reliable for paragliding, making this a popular activity year-round.
➡️ Book your paragliding experience here
Jet Skiing
The sea of Paracas is famous among Peruvian beaches because they have clear water (and often clear skies, too), warm breezes, and calm waves – perfect conditions for jet skiing. Jet ski rental usually includes a previous hour of instructions where you’ll learn to drive it, followed by a guided tour over the sea, enjoying the landscapes of the Paracas coasts. Expect to pay around S/150-200 (35-47€) per hour.
Quad Biking (ATVs)
Another important activity among things to do in Paracas is quad biking. This activity is perfect for someone who wants to take control of their own vehicle over the sand dunes. ATV tours allow you to explore places inaccessible by foot or car, particularly through the national reserve.
Cycling the National Reserve
One of the more active things you can do in Paracas is a 30-odd kilometre cycle ride around the National Reserve. From the entrance to the natural reserve the route is quite easy to follow, with plenty of signs pointing the way to various beaches and viewpoints. The main sights include La Catedral, Yumaque, Playa Roja and Playa Las Minas, but honestly, the entire 30 kilometre trail is just spectacular. Bike rental costs around S/40-60 (9-14€) for the day.
Wine Tasting and Pisco Tours
Ica, the region where Paracas is, is famous for vineyards and pisco production. Some vineyards are still active and open to visitors where you’ll get to taste varieties of wine or pisco (or both). Peruvian pisco can be made from various grape types, resulting in different styles such as Pisco Quebranta, Pisco Italia, and others. Tours to nearby wineries typically cost S/80-120 (19-28€) including transport and tastings.
Visit the Paracas Museum
The Paracas History Museum houses one of the largest collections of elongated human skulls that belonged to the royalty of the Paracas culture, who mysteriously died about 2000 years ago. The museum displays archaeological findings including textiles, ceramics, mummies, and skulls with deformations. Additional exhibits delve into details of Paracas cultural practices, including fishing techniques, textile-making, and mummification. Entry costs S/10 (2.30€).
Practical Tips for Visiting Paracas
Getting Around Paracas
You can literally walk anywhere in Paracas, so you don’t really need to worry about getting around! The town is compact and most attractions are within a 15-minute walk of each other. If you’re not mobile or you’re especially tired, there are plenty of tuk-tuks around offering you a ride for S/5-10 (1.20-2.40€) depending on the distance.
If you want to venture out of Paracas, you can book your onward travel with a local travel agency or online. Uber does exist in Peru but drivers don’t operate in Paracas because it’s not necessary – the town is simply too small to warrant it. If you want to go into the sand dunes, you’ll have to organise a tour with a dune buggy or ATV as this is the only feasible way to travel around the sand dunes (unless you want a mighty long walk on your hands!).
As I mentioned above, it’s also an option to rent a bike and cycle around the Paracas reserve 🚴
Best Time to Visit Paracas
Paracas enjoys a desert climate with very little rainfall throughout the year. The peak tourist season runs from December to March (Peruvian summer), when the weather is warmest, but of course this is also when prices are highest. I went in February, and I didn’t find it especially crowded or expensive to be honest.
The famous Paracas wind (El Viento Paracas) is strongest from May to November, which can make boat tours choppy but also provides better conditions for active watersports like kitesurfing. If you’re keen on seeing Humboldt penguins, go between May and August when they’re most likely to be spotted on the Ballestas Islands.
Money & Costs in Paracas
Paracas is generally more expensive than other Peruvian coastal towns due to its tourist-focused economy, but it’s still affordable by international standards and even compared to other tourist destinations in Peru. Most hostels and bars take card, but sometimes with an additional fee of 3-5%, so having cash on hand is useful.
ATMs are available along the main street, but options are limited and I don’t remember seeing one of the free ones, so bear that in mind and carry plenty of cash with you.
A daily budget of S/100-150 (23-35€) should cover accommodation, food, and activities for budget travellers, while mid-range travellers should plan for around S/200-300 (47-70€) per day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do in Paracas
Is Paracas, Peru worth visiting?
Absolutely! Paracas is definitely worth visiting, especially if you’re interested in wildlife and unique landscapes. The Ballestas Islands offer incredible close-up encounters with sea lions, penguins, and countless birds, while the Paracas National Reserve showcases stunning desert-meets-ocean scenery. It’s a perfect stop between Lima and destinations further south like Huacachina and Nazca.
How long to spend in Paracas?
One day is sufficient to see the main attractions – you can do the Ballestas Islands tour in the morning and visit the Paracas National Reserve in the afternoon. I spent one night there thinking a day trip would be too rushed, but honestly, going just for the day is fine. If you want to add sandboarding or other sand dune activities (personally I think it’s better to save these for Huacachina, if you’re going), then stay for a couple of nights.
Are Paracas and Huacachina worth it?
Yes, both destinations are worth including in your Peru itinerary, and they complement each other perfectly. In Paracas you get coastal wildlife and time on the beach, whereas in Huacachina you’ll find the ultimate desert experience with sandboarding and dune buggies. They’re only about an hour apart, making it easy to visit both during a trip south from Lima.
What is Paracas known for?
Paracas is primarily known for being the gateway to the Ballestas Islands (often called Peru’s “mini Galápagos” or, a little less sensitively “the poor man’s Galapagos”) and the Paracas National Reserve. The area is famous for its incredible marine wildlife, including sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and thousands of birds.
Conclusion
While Paracas might not have the vibrant backpacker scene of other destinations in Peru, the things to do in Paracas have something for everyone, from wildlife enthusiasts on the Ballestas Islands to adrenaline junkies ATVing through the sand dunes.
Whether you’re stopping for a day or staying overnight, Paracas serves as a perfect introduction to Peru’s incredible natural diversity. Just remember to book your Ballestas Islands tour for the morning, save the national reserve for the afternoon, and don’t forget your sunscreen – that desert sun is no joke!
