Paracas is a port city located in the province of Pisco in the department of Ica, well known for its ecosystem and for its water and adventure sports.
Paracas is ideal for travelers who want to enjoy the sun, the heat, the beaches and love to see animals in their natural habitat. The most important attractions in Paracas are: the Ballestas Islands, which are home to a great variety of wildlife, including Humboldt penguins, sea lions and guano birds; the 2500-year-old Candelabro de la Cultura Paracas, which is about 180 meters high; and the Paracas National Reserve, which is home to a circuit of turquoise beaches.
Index
At what altitude is Paracas located?
Paracas is located at 410 m a.s.l. Its altitude is low since this city is located in the coastal region of Peru.
What is the best season to visit Paracas?
The best time to visit Paracas is the summer season, which starts in December and ends in mid-April. We suggest these months because the days are very sunny and the waters of the beaches are warmer, which will allow you to better enjoy your visit to Paracas.
But if you are looking to visit Paracas without many travelers, I suggest the spring season, which begins in September and ends in mid-December, as the sun begins to rise more frequently and the waters are beginning to warm up. Also, since it is an uncrowded season, you will be able to find deals on tours, accommodations, restaurants and much more at more affordable prices.
Candelabra of the Paracas Culture, Paracas – Ica
How to get to Paracas?
In short, from the city of Ica is the easiest way to get to Paracas, because there are many more options of buses and tours (full day) and that is because many travelers after visiting Ica visit Paracas and from there return to Lima or continue their travel route through the south of Peru. But here are all the options: from Ica to Paracas and from Lima to Paracas:
By car
Traveling with your car by road I think is the most convenient option if you want to have privacy and travel alone with your family, in case you do not have a car a good option is to rent one and get to Paracas quietly, you can also reach several of the tourist destinations in Paracas by road, so you would save on tourist service.
- From Ica to Paracas 75 Km.
- From Lima to Paracas you travel 261 Km.
If you dare to make the route by car from Lima to Paracas, here are the options for breakfast or lunch that can be served on the route:
- Tambo Rural, is an artisan bread stand at Km 52 of the Panamericana Sur, normally they do not sell coffee or infusions, but the breads are very fresh and delicious, they also come in various versions of flavors. Each loaf costs between S/. 3 to 5 soles (USD 0.80 to 1 dollar);
- Panadería Toñito, is a very well known bread stand, it is located at Km 62 Panamericana Sur, their breads are really very rich and the place is always full of people, also their breads come in several versions of flavors and stuffed with cheese, ham, meat, etc. It is worth stopping and tasting the breads, they sell coffees and infusions. Each loaf costs between 3 to 5 soles (USD 0.80 to 1 dollar); and,
- Panadería Sabor y Tradición, is a stall located at km 62 of the Panamericana Sur, exactly next to the Panadería el Toñito there, what I like the most is the bread with chicharrón, you can also find bread with asado and soups, such as caldo de gallina, here they also sell coffee and infusions. The bread with pork rinds is 10 soles.
By bus
By bus from Lima
The only interprovincial transportation company that goes directly from Lima to Paracas is Empresa de Transporte Cruz del Sur, the cost of the ticket is between S/. 30 to 60 soles (USD 12 to 17 dollars) per person, depending on the season and how far in advance you buy your ticket, the travel time is 3 to 4 hours.
By bus from Ica
From Ica, definitely the most used option by travelers, in this case you have 2 options to go on your own:
First option: through the Empresa de Transporte Cruz del Sur (it is the only one that goes from Ica to Paracas directly). The cost of the ticket is between S/. 20 to 30 soles (USD 4 to 7 dollars) per person, depending on the season and how much time in advance you buy your ticket, the travel time is about 1 hour and from Paracas you can return to Lima.
Second option: through the transportation company Peru Bus, on the route Ica – Pisco, the cost of the bus ticket is between S./ 10 to 15 soles (USD 2.5 to 4 dollars) per person and the trip takes about 1 hour, from there you can take a cab that for about S/. 10 to 15 soles (USD 2.5 to 4 dollars) takes you to Paracas, you can also take a colectivo (shared cab) that for S./ 5 soles (USD 1 dollar) per person takes you to Paracas.
By Tourist Agency
Hiring the services of a tourist agency is also a very good option to travel without the stress of worrying about the activities you will do, the transportation you will have to take and the tourist guide. The approximate cost is S/. 60 soles ( USD 17 dollars) per person from Lima and S/. 40 soles ( USD 15 dollars) from Ica.
Paracas National Reserve, Paracas – Ica
Ballestas Islands, Paracas, Ica
Marine fauna of the Ballestas Islands, Paracas -ICA
Marine fauna of the Ballestas Islands, Paracas – Ica
Paracas National Reserve, Ica
Marine fauna of the Ballestas Islands, Paracas – Ica
