The Paracas National Reserve offers beaches of all lineages to camp and have a good time. There is no place in Peru with the number of outdoor spaces to build a camp with relative ease as Paracas. In the Reserve, you will have the opportunity to appreciate some of the 36 species of mammals and 216 types of colorful birds and we are not even mentioning the beauty of its beaches. Discover them now and enjoy them when you arrive! This is our list of the best activities in Paracas that you can not miss:
Paracas is a town located on the coast of Peru, approximately 235 kilometers (146 miles) south of Lima, the capital city of Peru. It is known for its beautiful beaches, wildlife, and the Paracas National Reserve, which is home to a unique marine ecosystem and the famous Paracas Candelabra, a mysterious geoglyph carved into the hillside overlooking the ocean. Paracas is also a popular destination for tourists interested in exploring the nearby Ballestas Islands, which are home to a variety of wildlife including sea lions, penguins, and dolphins.
The history of Paracas, Peru dates back to around 800 BCE, when a pre-Columbian civilization known as the Paracas people settled in the area. The Paracas people are known for their exquisite textiles, which were made using a variety of techniques and designs.
Around 200 BCE, the Paracas people began to decline and were eventually conquered by the Nazca people. The Nazca people built a network of underground aqueducts in the area that allowed them to irrigate the desert and grow crops.
within the sixteenth century, the Spanish arrived in Peru and started to colonize the region. They established a port in the nearby town of Pisco, which became an important center for trade and commerce.
In the 19th century, Paracas became known for its guano deposits, which were used as fertilizer. The guano extraction's led to the development of a thriving enterprise inside the region.
Today, Paracas is a popular tourist destination that attracts visitors from all over the world who come to explore the Paracas National Reserve, the Ballestas Islands, and the surrounding areas. The town has also become an essential center for fishing and agriculture, with a growing economy and a vibrant local culture.
Paracas has a desert climate, with warm temperatures and low humidity throughout the year. The best time to visit Paracas depends on your preferences, but generally, the period between December and March is considered the peak tourist season due to its warm and sunny weather. During this time, the average high temperature ranges from 25-30°C (77-86°F), and the average low temperature ranges from 17-22°C (63-72°F).
If you prefer fewer crowds and lower prices, then the shoulder season between April and November is a good time to visit. During this time, the weather is still mild, with an average high temperature ranging from 19-24°C (66-75°F) and an average low temperature ranging from 13-17°C (55-63°F). However, it is worth noting that the weather can be cooler and windier during this time, especially in the evenings and early mornings.
General, the weather in Paracas is exceptional at some point of the year, and there may be no awful time to go. However, it is important to note that the ocean waters can be cold year-round, so if you plan to swim or participate in water activities, it is recommended to bring a wetsuit.
From the Paracas manantial you can take boat tours that will take you to the Ballestas Islands, a natural refuge for species such as the Humboldt penguins, which are currently in danger of extinction. Another of the main attractions is to hear the concert of the howls of sea lion herds that inhabit the islands. A spectacle without equal. Navigating there you can enjoy the views of the "El Candelabro", a famous geoglyph in the bay of Pisco; that contains a mystery of the history of Peru. The Ballestas Islands are in themselves a set of small islands (between five and six), which usually inhabit, an important population of sea lions. It is known that the population of this species has reached approximately 2,500 individuals, between fine and crafty wolves; In addition to these animals, populations of Humboldt penguins, animals that are in danger of extinction, have also been found on these islands. The boats that surround the island showing at a distance, the beauty of it, and are often a source of curiosity for sea lions, so you should not be afraid if someone comes playfully to the boat where you are since that will make your walk more pleasant, making curious jumps quite close to your boat. Sea lions are not the only marine animals that we can see in the area, in fact, the site has also registered the presence of dolphins and it is even said that in some cases it is possible to see whales.
There are several tours from Paracas that allow the overflight to the Nazca Lines. These famous Lines are the representation of animals, plants, and forms on the surface of the Nazca desert in the Pampas de Jumana and they are a World Heritage Site of UNESCO since 1994. Tests carried out with carbon 14 allow to locate the antiquity of the Nazca lines and figures, between 550 and 650 years b.C, it is during the Early Nasca phase of the Early Intermediate Period. The Nazca and Paracas Lines, also known in the scientific world as "geoglyphs", are one of the most important legacies of the ancient Peruvian pre-Inca cultures.
Tambo Colorado which owes its name to the reddish color is a group of buildings among which are the best preserved of adobe in all of Peru. In its time (1450 b.C) was one of the most important Inca settlements on the coast. Tambo Colorado was an Inca settlement located on the right bank of the Pisco River valley. Tambo Colorado, also known as Pucallacta or Pucahuasi, is considered the best Inca urban-administrative complex in Peru. It was built at the time of the Inca Pachacutec to shelter the soldiers and the high dignitaries of the town. Typically tahuantinsuyu in its layout and architectural design, it presents the singularity of being built in adobe, as an example of the adaptation of Quechua architects and engineers to the new coastal environment that they were beginning to conquer. Tambo Colorado was a military and urban administrative center.
Feel the excitement inside by venturing among the dunes of the desert with a buggy, just a few kilometers from the National Reserve. Fun assured with landscapes of amazing beauty. Ideal for everyone, from children with private services to control the pace and speed to groups of maximum and full adrenaline.The Serene Sea of the Bay: Discover the Bay of Paracas in the most original way: in a kayak! A new experience that will transmit peace and tranquility in the middle of the sea, in the midst of the most beautiful animals, in the middle of the world.
Discover every last corner: One of the best ways to discover an area like Paracas is the bicycle. It gives you absolute freedom to enjoy this environment without equal. In the Paracas National Reserve you can practice mountain biking in an amazing way. There is a whole route so that you can enjoy the warm climate, the desert landscape, and, best of all, the marvelous marine ecosystem where sea lions, guano birds, and other species are observed. The main route preferred by cyclists is to go coastal edges, covering the entire bay of Paracas, including the National Reserve. It is a simple route, with marked paths where an adventure is lived on the edge of the sea. If the whole route of the bay is completed, the distance of the route is more than 30 kilometers. If it is only done to the Reserve is about 8 kilometers. Suitable for all people, you do not need experience in mountain biking since the route is simple, without many slopes.
Do you like heights? Do not miss the opportunity to see Paracas from another point of view. Fly with the birds and watch from above as the waves break. It is simple magic, and if you are a lover of photographs, this is the plan for you! It has an absolutely dynamic flight, starting flights from 9 AM. with winds of 15 Kph. and as the day progresses, progressively this will increase until arriving in the afternoon with winds that exceed 50 Kph. This area of ​​flight has unparalleled takeoff and access, being the slope from 15 meters of height to 50 Mts. flying over the marine reefs, among them one of the most beautiful that exists. The winds are absolutely free of turbulence, allowing you to enjoy from the pilot that starts up to the most advanced pilots who look for places where the maneuvers of the hillside are a delight and offer good margins of safety. In the Ica region, there are many places to practice paragliding, one of which is Paracas, especially in the area that includes the Reserved Zone.
The beauty of the seabed, last but not least impressive, an activity that we could not leave behind: diving. And it is that a maritime area as rich as Paracas is a unique place for lovers of this sport. Dive together the most amazing and beautiful marine species of the South American coast.
In Paracas, there are many things to see and do, as well as in the surrounding area. Here are some popular attractions and activities:
Paracas offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors to enjoy, from natural wonders to cultural experiences.
There are several things to do near Paracas that are worth exploring. Here are some popular options:
Generally, there are plenty of things to see and do near Paracas, making it a great base for exploring the surrounding area.
