Paracas National Reserve

The basics

Paracas National Reserve comprises many pristine beaches—the two most popular and accessible are Playa Roja, with its deep red sand, and Playa La Mina, in a cove protected from the park’s notorious winds. It’s also home to the Salinas de Otuma salt flats, which attract flamingos, and the giant Candelabro de Paracas, a mysterious candelabra glyph carved into a sloping dune.

You can explore more of the reserve’s rugged terrain on an ATV tour or take a “Golden Shadows'' trek, which guides you along the cliff tops during sunset. Stops at Paracas National Reserve and the nearby Ballestas Islands are nearly always combined on day trips from Lima. Some tours also take you to the desert oasis of Huacachina, where you can ride a dune buggy and go sandboarding.

Things to know before you go

• While the waters are chilly year-round, there are opportunities to swim, so bring your bathing suit if you’re up for braving the cold.

• Perched on coastal cliffs, Paracas National Reserve is nearly always windy—even if it’s hot, it’s worth bringing a light jacket.

• There’s little shade at the reserve, so sunscreen, water, and a sunhat are even more essential than usual.

How to get there

Paracas doesn’t have an airport, and neither do many of the towns on this stretch of Peru’s coast. The nearest airport is Lima’s, over 160 miles (260 kilometers) away. Buses depart from Lima regularly, with about three buses leaving every hour throughout the day.

When to get there

Because it’s so exposed and all the activities are outdoors, a favorite time to visit the reserve is during Peru’s summer months of December through March. However, if you want to spot the most wildlife, the winter and spring months of April through November see the most penguins migrating. You can still see sea lions and ample aquatic birds year-round, though.

The Ballestas Islands

Hailed as Peru’s answer to the Galapagos Islands, the rocky Ballestas Islands—conveniently close to Paracas National Reserve—are home to sea lions and sea birds such as pelicans and red-beaked Inca terns. They’re typically explored by boats that depart from the small fishing village of Paracas, where you can sample some of Peru’s freshest ceviche.