Ica to Paracas

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In: Sara´s Tourist Guide Blog
Ballestas Islands, Perú

Ica to Paracas

Many tourists coming back to Lima from Cusco or Arequipa choose to visit Nazca to fly over the famous Nazca Lines. Going more to the north they may also visit  Ica and Paracas before coming back to Lima. There is no airport in Ica. From Arequipa it takes 11 hours by bus to arrive to Ica. Paracas is located 47 miles (75 km) in the desert north of Ihe city of Ica, facing the Pacific Ocean. It forms a Peninsula which is part of the Paracas National Reserve and has a beautiful bay. From Ica to Paracas buses go through the Pan-American Highway in about one hour.

HOW TO ARRIVE

Cruz del Sur

6 daily departures from Ica to Paracas between 10:00 and 16:30. Cost of the ticket varies between US$ 4 to US$ 18. Sales office and boarding at Esquina de Calle Fray Ramon Rojas y Sebastián Barranca  Phone: 056-480100  Working hours from 8:00 to 20:00 hs

Oltursa

1 daily departure to Paracas at 9:50 am. Price is around US$ 12 for one ticket.  Phone: (01) 7085000   Sales office and boarding:  Ayabaca 974  Phone: (01) 7085000

WHAT TO VISIT IN PARACAS

BALLESTAS ISLANDS

El Candelabro
El Candelabro

This sea life sanctuary is 12 miles off the Peruvian coast. A speed boat takes you from Paracas in about 40 minutes. On the way you will have chance to take a picture of the Candelabro,  a giant geoglyph  (170 mts high) of unknown origin drawn on top of a sand mountain.  The boat will get very close to the Ballestas Islands for you to observe the animal population. However you will not go ashore.  You will observe sea lions, Humboldt penguins, starfishes and thousands of sea birds flying above you.  If lucky you can even spot some dolphins.

If you want to make it in just one day from Lima, it is advisable that you take the bus from Cruz del Sur leaving at 3:45 am in order to take the first boats leaving from the harbor at 8:30 am.  Then, it is preferable that you reserve your tour in advance through any tourist agency in Lima.  Otherwise, you arrive the day before and sleep in Paracas.

NATIONAL RESERVE OF PARACAS

Sunset in Paracas
Sunset in Paracas

This national park stretches over 828,000 acres, 35 % of which is land, mostly desert and islands. The rest, 65 % is sea with a extremely rich biodiversity.

What to do and see:

  • The desert which millions years ago was under the sea and constitutes a Mars-like scenery
  • The largest concentration of birds on earth which makes a great spot for bird watchers
  • A museum displaying the remains of the ancient Paracas civilization which developed in the desert between 700 BC and 200 AD.  Among others you can appreciate 2000 years old textiles which colors defeat the passage of time as well as mummies with elongated skulls.
  • A beautiful assortment of beaches along the coast which includes:  the Playa de la Mina with white sand and turquoise water and Playa Roja with red-colored sand due to its high concentration of volcanic rock. Playa Roja is considered the most beautiful beach of Peru.
  • Adventure Sports such as paragliding, windsurf and kitesurf.

We recommend to explore the Reserve with a tour which will take you driving inside.  Really worth it!

Finally, for your stay in Lima don´t forget to check our Full Day Private Lima Tours.