Paracas is a small coastal town that serves as the gateway to some of Peru’s most unique natural and cultural experiences. Many people visit on a day trip from Lima, but we recommend spending at least one night here to fully enjoy what Paracas has to offer.

From Paracas, you can take a boat tour to the Islas Ballestas, often called the “Little Galápagos,” where you’ll spot sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and flocks of seabirds. On land, the Paracas National Reserve offers otherworldly desert landscapes, red sand beaches like Playa Roja, and dramatic cliffs plunging into the Pacific. History lovers will also notice the mysterious Candelabro geoglyph carved into the desert hillside (a riddle that still puzzles archaeologists).

We visited Paracas as part of our journey with PeruHop, traveling between Lima and Arequipa. It was the perfect stop to break up the long journey and gave us time to soak in the wildlife and scenery. Watching the sunset over the desert coastline was one of those moments that made us glad we didn’t just rush through on a quick day trip.

Pro Tip: Book a boat tour in the morning for calmer seas, then spend the afternoon exploring the Paracas National Reserve by car, bike, or ATV.