Paracas National Reserve
Paracas National Reserve
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Paracas National Reserve
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
14 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- hbhakhRoanoke, Virginia2,282 contributionsNice sceneryWe toured part of the reserve on a cruise excursion. At first, I thought we were going to just see desert but there is a very pretty coastline on the other side with cliffs, rock formations, and beaches. The water is cold so I don't know if I'd swim (a number of people were) but it's a nice walk and the rock formations are impressive. If you're in the area, this is a worthwhile tourVisited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten January 20, 2024
- Jennifer F102 contributionsFun learning experience.Fun tour with an excellent guide who spoke very clear English and was very knowledgeable. We took a small Van and stopped frequently for different sights. Sand dunes right next to the ocean, red sand beach, birds.Visited June 2024Travelled with familyWritten June 20, 2024
- Traveller162014Leeds, United Kingdom1,683 contributionsSpectacular sceneryWhat an exciting trip out this was. We decided to book a sand buggy tour into the reserve via our hostel and we loved it. Driving the buggies was a lot of fun, a bit scary at times but we didn't feel unsafe - perhaps not for the faint hearted though. The scenery is spectacular. The landscape, where desert meets the sea, is something I had never seen before. We also saw some cool birds flying overhead. I was a tiny bit disappointed with playa rojo (a red beach] as I'd seen some amazing pictures of it and it didn't quite live up to that, but if you have zero expectations before it's quite cool to see still. Definitely a must if you are in Paracas.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten August 11, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
585 reviews
Excellent
358
Very good
165
Average
38
Poor
11
Terrible
13
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
hbhakh
Roanoke, VA2,282 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
We toured part of the reserve on a cruise excursion. At first, I thought we were going to just see desert but there is a very pretty coastline on the other side with cliffs, rock formations, and beaches. The water is cold so I don't know if I'd swim (a number of people were) but it's a nice walk and the rock formations are impressive.
If you're in the area, this is a worthwhile tour
If you're in the area, this is a worthwhile tour
Written January 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Atis B
Kharagpur, India1,175 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
One of the beautiful natural site frequently missed by tourists. The terrain is awesome. Similar sites in other places in the world are so known to everyone where as this is not. Even I couldn’t comprehend the reality and beauty from my beloved guide also. When I came to the site I was overwhelmed. Even there are archeological site in this area where mummies are found but not opened to the tourist.
Written November 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill Owens
15 contributions
Jan 2020
Vast, Mars-like desert landscape cooled by a permanent ocean breeze. A very unique land/sea-scape combination. See by car or bike. Arranged as part of the Nazca line flight. Reserve guide was excellent.
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer F
102 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Fun tour with an excellent guide who spoke very clear English and was very knowledgeable. We took a small
Van and stopped frequently for different sights. Sand dunes right next to the ocean, red sand beach, birds.
Van and stopped frequently for different sights. Sand dunes right next to the ocean, red sand beach, birds.
Written June 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ollanta73
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain129 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Acceptable excursion that you will almost certainly do by bus. If you do it on your own, much better, we did it with a local company and they basically take you to different viewpoints so you can take photos, the views are worth it but my advice is to do it on your own by renting a car or motorcycle. The place is quite close to Paracas town.
Written March 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Komator
Barcelona, Spain902 contributions
Aug 2022
The Reserva Nacional de Paracas has several key places to visit. In a nutshell, you'll be in the desert close to the Pacific sea. And that gives lots of contrasts and impressive views.
You can see a fossil area, beaches or and istmo (narrow piece of land connecting two larger areas across an expanse of sea by which they are otherwise separated).
Even you can go on your own, we took a tour.
You can see a fossil area, beaches or and istmo (narrow piece of land connecting two larger areas across an expanse of sea by which they are otherwise separated).
Even you can go on your own, we took a tour.
Written October 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlie C
Tonbridge, UK30 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
Have given this 1/5 but that’s only because you have to select a rating. In reality it should get 0/5.
Having read reviews we decided to do the 4 hour tour of the nature reserve (if you can even call it that). I can’t understand what people are raving about. If your view of nature reserve means driving across a baron desert for 4 hours, seeing only 2 viewpoints, a beach and a rubbish museum, then by all means go ahead and do this. The only animal we saw was a pelican and that’s only because my girlfriend and I chose not to eat in the expensive restaurant they funnel you into for lunch, to walk around the harbour. It was only there because there was a fish delivery being unloaded.
We left at 11:15, drove to a museum, which was rubbish. We spent 45 minutes there when in reality it requires about 5. You then get whisked to a viewpoint where you spend another 20 minutes and then to a red beach (the only vaguely cool part of the tour). You then finish with lunch at an overpriced restaurant where you stay for an hour before coming back to Paracas. So basically you spend about 2 hours in the bus and lunch combined to see a museum, a viewpoint, a beach and desert. No animals (pretty sure you if your marketing it as a nature reserve, this usually means animals).
Awful experience. Waste of time and money. Would rather flush 30 soles down the toilet than do it again to be honest.
Having read reviews we decided to do the 4 hour tour of the nature reserve (if you can even call it that). I can’t understand what people are raving about. If your view of nature reserve means driving across a baron desert for 4 hours, seeing only 2 viewpoints, a beach and a rubbish museum, then by all means go ahead and do this. The only animal we saw was a pelican and that’s only because my girlfriend and I chose not to eat in the expensive restaurant they funnel you into for lunch, to walk around the harbour. It was only there because there was a fish delivery being unloaded.
We left at 11:15, drove to a museum, which was rubbish. We spent 45 minutes there when in reality it requires about 5. You then get whisked to a viewpoint where you spend another 20 minutes and then to a red beach (the only vaguely cool part of the tour). You then finish with lunch at an overpriced restaurant where you stay for an hour before coming back to Paracas. So basically you spend about 2 hours in the bus and lunch combined to see a museum, a viewpoint, a beach and desert. No animals (pretty sure you if your marketing it as a nature reserve, this usually means animals).
Awful experience. Waste of time and money. Would rather flush 30 soles down the toilet than do it again to be honest.
Written June 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
babsilabs
Warminster, UK32 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
We actually wanted to do a boat tour to the Islas Ballestas but unfortunately there were no boats because of too much wind. So we did the National Reserve instead. We took a colectivo to Paracas because we had thought (Lonely Planet made the suggestion!!) we could do the reserve on our own - BIG mistake. The national reserve is basically a big desert, you definitely need a car to get around.
We found ourselves (were approached by someone on the road) a taxi-driver who was then also our personal guide and drove us through the reserve but probably paid more than we would have done with a proper tour with a proper guide.......
We found ourselves (were approached by someone on the road) a taxi-driver who was then also our personal guide and drove us through the reserve but probably paid more than we would have done with a proper tour with a proper guide.......
Written August 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pimpafer
São Paulo, Brazil6 contributions
When you hear about Peru, what do you think... Machu Picchu, right? Well that´s what I used to think before going there...
January, 2008, I went to Peru and visited most of the country, and what impressed me most was this place: Paracas. not only for the Ballestras Islands, but the National Reserve there.
The desert invited me to another trip I wasn't expecting, the view was magnificent!!!
The guide there was so excited to tell his history that all my and I became impressed by thar pre-incan culture: paracas culture, known by its handwork and fabric.
Well. the city Itself isn't acctually an invitation to see, devasted by an earthquake, anyways, tha's a nice place to visit alone, with friends, with family.
January, 2008, I went to Peru and visited most of the country, and what impressed me most was this place: Paracas. not only for the Ballestras Islands, but the National Reserve there.
The desert invited me to another trip I wasn't expecting, the view was magnificent!!!
The guide there was so excited to tell his history that all my and I became impressed by thar pre-incan culture: paracas culture, known by its handwork and fabric.
Well. the city Itself isn't acctually an invitation to see, devasted by an earthquake, anyways, tha's a nice place to visit alone, with friends, with family.
Written February 2, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura_SkiGirl
St Ives, UK19 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
My boyfriend and I loved visiting the Paracus National Reserve. We, like many other visitors, actually wanted to do a boat tour to the Islas Ballestas but unfortunately there were no boats because of too much wind. So we did the National Reserve instead.
We booked onto a tour and had a great guide - very informative and quite an entertaining chap too. The national reserve is basically a big desert, with fossils and red sandy beaches.
If you like adventure and adrenaline, then perhaps this is not what you are looking for.
To advise you, yes, for lunch you are taken to the coast where there are 4 restaurants fighting over you to eat with them. Some say this is a tourist trap. I say, the food was nice (though a little expensive), it was fresh and lots of delicious fish on the menu. Also, these restaurants have to make a living like the rest of us. If you dont wish to pay, then bring your own sandwiches.
We booked onto a tour and had a great guide - very informative and quite an entertaining chap too. The national reserve is basically a big desert, with fossils and red sandy beaches.
If you like adventure and adrenaline, then perhaps this is not what you are looking for.
To advise you, yes, for lunch you are taken to the coast where there are 4 restaurants fighting over you to eat with them. Some say this is a tourist trap. I say, the food was nice (though a little expensive), it was fresh and lots of delicious fish on the menu. Also, these restaurants have to make a living like the rest of us. If you dont wish to pay, then bring your own sandwiches.
Written September 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How much time do you recommend to spend visiting paracas national reserve by car? Are 3 hours enough?
Written August 24, 2019
Hi Kleia i think is enough for visit paracas national reserve by car 3 hours without include de lunch, you can possible eat in the Lagunilla is a beatiful place.
Written August 27, 2019
Penguins in the Paracas Reserve these days?
Thanks
Written May 1, 2019
Hello - I am thinking of biking on the reserve this coming September. two questions: (1) In your opinion, is it safe for a woman to bike there on her own? (2) How would you rate the difficulty of the bike ride - are there many elevated sections?
Written March 5, 2019
¡Hola! Podrías decirme el precio del alquiler de bicicletas para recorrer la reserva, y cuánto tiempo te llevó? Queremos hacer Huacachina el mismo día,no sé si nos dará el tiempo...
¡Desde ya muchas gracias!
Written January 27, 2019
Can you rent a ATV and explore the park on your own or is a guide required? Thanks!
Written September 1, 2018
As far as I know you require a guide, it i also easy to get lost, there are many operators, best read reviews here.
Written September 2, 2018
Vou de carro alugado, consigo andar de carro dentro da reserva ou preciso contratar um passeio com guia?
Written April 14, 2018
Estoy parando en la playa en Asia. Hay algún tour desde acá a Paracas por el día que me recomienden? O bien alguna idea para ir por el día?
Gracias!!
Written January 16, 2017
Hola, una consulta. Donde alquilaste las bicis?
Written January 8, 2016
Is it possible/achievable to arrive to Parracas early morning by bus from Lima see the park maybe until early afternoon and then head to huacachica and do the dunes and sand boarding all in one day. (Yes I expect this to be a bit tight but is it possible,any one try this)
Thanks for your help
Written November 29, 2015
it can be done quite easily. Busses leave Lima about 3.30am and arrive Paracas about 8am for the Ballestas tours which lasts a couple of hours. The park tours can last as long as you want then the dunes later on. It will be tight and a very late night if you want to go back to Lima that day. Better to do an overnighter and see Nazca on the second day before returning to Lima.
Written November 30, 2015
Que puedo visitar en Paracas? Otras veces he ido a la playa el chaco donde ofrecen tours a las Islas ballestas por las mañanas pero no sé que tan buenos sean los tours, Vale la vena? porque?
Por otro lado que tal es la reserva de Paracas? qué es lo asombroso de ella?
Y por último he escuchado de la playa la Mina, porque es recomendable visitarla?
Gracias por sus respuestas y opiniones de antemano.
Written July 26, 2015
Showing results 1-10 of 10
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing