I have wonderful memories of this small, Peruvian town. I particularly enjoyed my walk along Paracas Beach at sunset! A colony of pelicans live there; watching them fly and dive to catch fish is spectacular. The less timid ones will even approach you!
Whilst waiting for the boat to take you to the Ballestas Islands, I suggest you visit the Paracas Museum. You'll learn loads about the wildlife that you're bound to encounter during your boat trip. What's more the museum has a lot of regional information including the extensive birdlife found in the natural reserve.
I have wonderful memories of this small, Peruvian town. I particularly enjoyed my walk along Paracas Beach at sunset! A colony of pelicans live there; watching them fly and dive to catch fish is spectacular. The less timid ones will even approach you!
Whilst waiting for the boat to take you to the Ballestas Islands, I suggest you visit the Paracas Museum. You'll learn loads about the wildlife that you're bound to encounter during your boat trip. What's more the museum has a lot of regional information including the extensive birdlife found in the natural reserve.
Now, Paracas isn't an absolutely essential place to visit. There is little to see and the town itself is not particularly welcoming. Nevertheless, making a two-day detour to Paracas was a good idea because it allowed me to visit the nature reserve near to the town.
One day is enough to visit the Paracas National Reserve. Long stretches of sand await you here. Amongst the dunes and the wind-whipped sands, take some time to stroll along the natural salt paths. In this same reserve you will find the famous beaches of red sand, where you can swim!
Further on, near to the cliffs, you are sure to have the opportunity on your travels to see some of the animal life here: seals and penguins lolling below in the sun.
In the reserve itself you will come across a little spot with a rather nice restaurant. The pelicans have learned that food isn't far away and they don't hesitate to nip into the kitchens to swipe a few tasty morsels. This is the only "civilised" place in the entire reserve, so if you are afraid of large spaces with no sign of human occupation, enjoy it to the maximum.
Now, Paracas isn't an absolutely essential place to visit. There is little to see and the town itself is not particularly welcoming. Nevertheless, making a two-day detour to Paracas was a good idea because it allowed me to visit the nature reserve near to the town.
One day is enough to visit the Paracas National Reserve. Long stretches of sand await you here. Amongst the dunes and the wind-whipped sands, take some time to stroll along the natural salt paths. In this same reserve you will find the famous beaches of red sand, where you can swim!
Further on, near to the cliffs, you are sure to have the opportunity on your travels to see some of the animal life here: seals and penguins lolling below in the sun.
In the reserve itself you will come across a little spot with a rather nice restaurant. The pelicans have learned that food isn't far away and they don't hesitate to nip into the kitchens to swipe a few tasty morsels. This is the only "civilised" place in the entire reserve, so if you are afraid of large spaces with no sign of human occupation, enjoy it to the maximum.
