Paracas, Peru
Paracas was my first stop after Lima on the Peru Hop route. I chose the longer itinerary, so they picked me up at 7am in Lima and we arrived around 1pm — the afternoon was free to explore, eat, and take it all in.
I spent that first afternoon wandering around, eating causa, drinking Cusqueña beer, and watching the sunset. It was the kind of sunset you take a photo of and then put your phone away because the photo will never do it justice.
Time of Year I Visited
I went in June — warm and sunny, perfect for being by the water.
Did I Feel Safe?
Yes, Paracas felt very safe. It’s a small, relaxed coastal town with a very easygoing vibe.
Where I Stayed
Hotel Freiles Residencial — one of the hotel options offered through Peru Hop. I stayed one night.
What’s Worth Doing
Islas Ballestas boat tour: The next morning we did a two-hour boat tour around the Ballestas Islands — packed with sea lions, penguins, pelicans, and every seabird you can imagine. On the way there, you pass the Candelabro de Paracas — a massive geoglyph carved into the desert hillside, shaped like a candelabra, about 180 metres tall and visible from the sea. Nobody knows exactly who made it or why — some researchers link it to the Nazca Lines, others think it was a navigational symbol for sailors. Either way, it’s a mysterious and striking thing to see from the water. Fair warning about the birds on the islands: they are everywhere and they don’t miss. One of them crapped on me. Consider yourself warned, but go anyway.
Paracas National Reserve: Where the Peruvian desert literally meets the Pacific Ocean. Dramatic cliffs, ochre and rust-coloured terrain, and beaches you wouldn’t believe exist — including Playa Roja, a beach with genuinely red sand caused by erosion of volcanic rock. The landscape feels like it belongs on another planet. Completely worth visiting.
From the Paracas area you can also do a small plane flight over the Nazca Lines — the famous ancient geoglyphs carved into the desert floor further south, only visible from the air. It’s about a two-hour flight. I didn’t do it myself, but it’s there as an option if that’s something you want to tick off.
And don’t underestimate the simple things — watching the sunset in Paracas is worth every minute. And eat everything you can. Peru has one of the best food scenes in the world, and that’s not a exaggeration — wherever you are in the country, whatever you order, it’s going to be incredible.
How Long Did I Stay?
Two nights — arriving from Lima in the early afternoon on the first day, spending the second day on the boat tour and the reserve, and continuing on to Huacachina the following morning with Peru Hop.
Been to Paracas solo? Share your experience using the review form below.
