How to get there

 

From Lima | Paracas was the first stop on our Peru Hop pass but if you're not Hopping you can get to Paracas from Lima with Cruz Del Sur. Buses leave from their office on Javier Prado regularly and take around three and half hours with prices starting from 26 Soles (£5.60). The office is a fifteen minute car journey from Miraflores. 

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Where to stay 

 

We were in no rush so decided to stay for three nights, most opt to stay for one. There are some luxury hotels for those with a higher budget, though they're slightly out of the town.

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Kokopelli Hostel | A good option is Kokopelli Hostel right on the beach and all beer pong backpacker vibe. There are plenty of other options to choose from and because it is so small everything is in walking distance. The price is £40 for a double room. 

 

Icthus Paracas | We stayed at Icthus Paracas in a private room with a shared bathroom and no breakfast. There were not a lot of facilities and nowhere comfy to hang out but they did offer a laundry service. We paid £12 for a twin room with a shared bathroom.   

 

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What to do 

 

Poor Man's Galapagos

Paracas is not very big at all and the main reason people come here is to go to the ‘Poor Man’s Galapagos’ Islas Ballestas. 

 

Boats leave every day at 8am or 10am, they can’t leave any later because it is so windy in the afternoon. The tours are two hours long and take you to the protected islands to see penguins, sea lions and lots of birds. Be prepared if you are only visiting for a short time and have one day to do the tour then it can be cancelled on the morning. The navy check the conditions every morning and decide whether boats can sail or not. We booked our tour with Peru Hop and it was £16 each. 

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Learn to Kite Surf

Because it is so windy it is a great place to learn to Kite Surf. If you take a walk all the way along the front for around two miles you will come to the end of the National Reserve and Peru Kite Surfing School. Here they offer lessons and have a great outdoor bar and pool area to relax. If Kite Surfing isn’t your thing then at the edge of the National reserve is a good spot to watch pink flamingoes. 

 

Total Wipeout 

YakuPark is an inflatable assault course out in the sea. It’s actually one of the biggest we have seen and a lot of fun if you have time. It is 50 soles (£11) for 45 minutes or 80 soles (£17) for 90 minutes.