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• Paracas National Reserve Quad Bike Tour

If you’re the adventurous traveler type, you would love to know that we have an adrenaline-packed adventure made especially for you! The Paracas Quad Bike Tour will take you to the most impressive natural scenery of the region, where you’ll be able to explore the vast Peruvian desert and the most scenic beaches in the area.

There’s so much to do in Paracas that you’d love to stay here a little bit longer. Luckily for you, our Paracas travel guide has everything you need so you can plan a trip according to your interest and discover much more of Peru rather than the usual.

The Paracas National Reserve is one of the first protected areas of the country and offers the perfect setting for different adventure sports, as well as getting immersed in the extensive biodiversity of the region.

If you’re up to this adventure, here’s what you should expect from this tour. Continue reading and learn everything about it.

About the Tour

The Paracas National Reserve was born out of the initiative to preserve the maritime wildlife that inhabits these lands. Hundreds of animals call this majestic place their home, including over 250 bird species .

This famous destination offers the most scenic natural landscapes in the region, a place that harmonically converges the sea and the vast Peruvian desert.

On this occasion, you’ll get to experience some of the natural wonders of the site, where colored beaches, intriguing rock formations, and marine animals will accompany you along the route

First, our guide will pick you up from the accommodation to later take you to the starting point of the adventure. In case you haven’t driven a quad bike before, you’ll have a short training where they’ll teach you how to handle the vehicle, which is pretty easy!

Just after the instructions, our guide will lead the way to the national reserve and its natural wonders. Here you’ll be able to appreciate the colorful landscape of the region, where bright yellow sand contrasts with the deep blue Pacific Ocean. Here are some of the attractions you’ll get to see:

- Marine Fossils, some of them are 36 million years old. - Rock formations along the coast. - Yumaque Beach. - The Moon Desert. - The Red Beach.

Quick Tip: Looking for something special to do in Peru but still can’t find the right destination? Don’t worry, we got you covered! Contact our travel specialists and start planning the trip of your life while you’re here.

How‌ ‌to‌ ‌Book?‌ ‌

As‌ ‌you‌ ‌already‌ ‌know,‌ ‌the Paracas National Reserve is located ‌a‌ ‌few‌ ‌kilometers‌ ‌from‌ ‌Paracas town.‌ ‌For‌ ‌that‌ ‌reason,‌ ‌it‌ ‌is‌ ‌an‌ ‌easy‌ ‌day‌ ‌trip‌ ‌from‌ ‌the‌ ‌‌Gastronomic‌ ‌Capital‌ ‌of‌ ‌Peru‌.‌ ‌We‌ ‌highly‌ ‌recommend‌ ‌going‌ ‌on‌ ‌a‌ ‌guided‌ ‌tour‌ ‌so‌ ‌you‌ ‌don’t‌ ‌miss‌ ‌all‌ ‌the‌ ‌important‌ ‌details‌ ‌of‌ ‌this‌ ‌attraction.‌ ‌  ‌ Luckily‌ ‌for‌ ‌you,‌ ‌our‌ ‌excursion‌ ‌will‌ ‌take‌ ‌you‌ ‌through‌ ‌the‌ ‌most‌ ‌beautiful‌ ‌natural‌ ‌scenery‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌region,‌ ‌ to‌ ‌later‌ ‌explore‌ ‌this‌ ‌mystical‌ ‌place.‌ ‌  ‌ To book the Paracas ATV Quad Biking Tour , ‌you‌ ‌just‌ ‌need‌ ‌to‌ ‌contact‌ ‌our‌ ‌team.‌ ‌We‌ ‌will‌ ‌optimize‌ ‌your‌ ‌time‌ ‌and‌ ‌adventure‌ ‌with‌ ‌a‌ ‌tailor-made ‌travel‌ ‌itinerary‌ ‌for‌ ‌you.‌ ‌  ‌ Likewise,‌ ‌we‌ ‌care‌ ‌to‌ ‌provide‌ ‌the‌ ‌best‌ ‌experience‌ ‌to‌ ‌every ‌one‌ ‌of‌ ‌our‌ ‌passengers,‌ ‌which‌ ‌is‌ ‌ why‌ ‌we‌ ‌count‌ ‌on ‌certified‌ ‌drivers,‌ ‌professional‌ ‌guides,‌ ‌and‌ ‌an‌ ‌all-time‌ ‌monitored‌ ‌car‌ ‌fleet‌ ‌with‌ ‌ GPS‌ ‌tracking.‌ ‌  ‌ General‌ ‌Information:‌ ‌

- Duration:‌ ‌‌2.5 ‌hours‌ ‌approx.‌ ‌ ‌ - Entrance:‌ ‌‌ Already‌ ‌included‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌travel‌ ‌package.‌ ‌ - Included: Transport, English-speaking guide, entrance fee, and security equipment.

Would you like to know more about Peru? Here you’ll find all the information you need for your trip. Our local expert team has prepared the most complete informative guides for you!

Also, if you’re eager to know Peru at its fullest, check out our travel packages and live an authentic experience with Viagens Machu Picchu .

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• Paracas National Reserve Tour
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You want to know more? Access our blog and learn more about this destination.

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Paracas National Reserve

• Pisco Vineyard
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• Day Trips from Lima
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Ballestas Islands

• Quad Bike ATV
• Paragliding in Paracas
• Buggy and Sandboarding
• Nazca Lines Flight
• Full Day Tour
• Ruta del Sillar Tour
• Lake Titicaca
• 2 Hour Tour
• Isla del Sol

Paracas Full Day

Price from: $119

Lima - Paracas - Lima

What this tour offers:

• 1 Unforgettable Destination
• Paracas - Pacific beach town famed for its scenic coastline and wildlife
• 3 Incredible Activities
• Ballestas Islands - boat out to Peru's very own Mini-Galapagos
• Paracas National Reserve - Where desert meets ocean. Some of the most breathtaking landscapes Peru's Pacific coast has to offer
• Secret Slave Tunnels - discover the dark history behind Colonial slavery at this original plantation estate
• Hotel/hostel pickups & dropoffs
• Airbnb's have close meeting points
• Daily departures

Voted by Tripadvisor as one of the best things to do with 1 day in Lima, this tour allows you to escape the city to the beach sunshine of Paracas, where you’ll boat out to the Ballestas Islands, known as Peru’s Galapagos, and visit the Paracas National Reserve, in just 1 single day. This tour is perfect for people who don’t have time to travel by bus to the whole South of Peru (if you do have time check our passes here ) or for those people who will fly from Lima to Cusco or vice versa and have a stopover in Lima.

Highlights:

• Take a speedboat out to the Ballestas Islands off the coast of Paracas to see hundreds of penguins and sea lions in their natural habitat. Known as the Mini-Galapagos (tours to the Galapagos cost a LOT more!) this tour gets you up close and personal with the friendly sealions and penguins. –  Paracas
• Visit one of the biggest protected deserts in the Americas. Incredible views of desert meeting the ocean – Paracas National Reserve
• In your free time, get stunning views from the highest viewpoint in Paracas of this boutique little coastal town, and/or sample ceviche and other Peruvian cuisine in this increasingly popular foodie destination. –  Paracas
• Exclusive guided tour of the Secret Slave Tunnels. 17km of underground tunnels used to smuggle slaves in the XVII century – Chincha
• Bilingual, onboard guide during the whole day trip to assist you at all times, giving you tips, advice and making sure you, your friends or your family are having the best time possible!
• Luxury spacious bus with huge reclining seats, classic movies (e.g. Mrs. Doubtfire), toilet onboard, and more!

Private tour available!

Personalized service with private transport and guide. Contact us for more info!

More of what you’ll experience on this tour

Click the arrows to scroll through.

• Secret Slave Tunnels

Tour Itinerary & What's Included

5:30am - 6:00am

Depart Lima - We pick up directly from hostels and hotels for safety and comfort. If staying in an Airbnb just email us. Your booking confirmation (ticket) will show you your exact pick-up time (depends on where you are staying!)

6:00am - 10:00am

Direct bus to Paracas, a beautiful small town by the sea.

10:00am - 12:00pm

INCLUDED ACTIVITY

Ballestas Islands – 2 hour boat tour of the islands. The Ballestas are a smaller version of the Galapagos, and just as great. You’ll see sea lions, penguins and lots of birds all in there natural habitat. If you’re lucky, you may even see a dolphin or three!

2:00pm - 4:00pm

Paracas National Reserve – Guided tour of one of South America’s biggest protected desert reserves. Stunning Pacific coastline where desert meets ocean.

OPTIONAL EXTRA

UPGRADE YOUR PARACAS NATIONAL RESERVE

Quad biking tour – Switch up your passenger seat on the bus, for the driver’s seat of an ATV/quad bike! Exhilarating self-drive guided tour of the reserve. Your guide can help you book this optional extra or book in advance to secure a spot. For more info click here .

Depart Paracas. Meeting point is Frayles Residencial Hotel.

Secret Slave Tunnels – Visit Hacienda San Jose and discover the jaw-dropping secret tunnels. Once used to smuggle slaves, these tunnels can be found below the hacienda, where you will also learn about a darker side to Peruvian history.

Luxury bus arrives in Lima. After sitting back and relaxing in the comfortable seats while you enjoy a movie onboard (e.g., Mrs. Doubtfire / Forrest Gump / etc.) or laying back and having a relaxing nap, you will be dropped off directly at your hotel/hostel upon arrival in Lima.

What’s Included

• Private luxury touristic bus transport
• Hotel pick ups and drop offs
• Onboard bilingual Hop guide
• Ballestas Islands Tour in Paracas
• Paracas National Reserve Tour in Paracas
• Hotel/hostel pickups and drop offs
• ALL taxes and costs- other tour companies DON'T include these fees in prices

Not Included

Important info & notes, important info.

Departure Days

Time of Departure

Pick-up Location

We pick up passengers from all major hostels & hotels in Lima. If you are staying at an Airbnb then email us and we will specify your nearest pick up location.

If staying outside of these areas or at a residential address, then please select our central meeting point: MC DONALDS, PARQUE KENNEDY - MIRAFLORES as your pick-up location.

Minimum Time Needed

$119 ALL INCLUDED. All transport and tours. *Everything included except food.

Important Notes

Travelling between any of the dates mentioned below? Click the tab for the corresponding important information.

SECRET SLAVE TUNNELS - PRIVATE EVENTS

The Haciendo San Jose (Secret Slave Tunnels) will be closed to the public to the following dates due to private events:

• April 27th, 2024
• May 18th, 2024
• September 21st, 2024
• November 9th, 2024
• November 23rd, 2024

27, 28, 29 & 30 JULY 2024 - INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS (PERU)

Due to the heavy traffic, we will depart Lima at an earlier time on July 28th & 29th (5:00am)

NOTE: For Independence Day (Fiestas Patrias) week, the Ballestas Islands Tour (Paracas) on these dates will last only one and a half hours in duration . This is the same for ALL tour operators.

Book With Confidence

You are able to change your departure dates at no extra cost if you were to change your plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

You might have some questions about our service and of course Peru itself. Our FAQs are aimed at helping you with any questions you may have.

Just click on any question and get the answer straight away!

What type of travelers take this tour?

Our day tour is perfect for ALL types of travelers who are looking to maximise their time in Lima and see some of the most amazing sights in Peru in a short period of time.

65% of our passengers are female, the average passenger age is 31, and we have had people as old as 83, with plenty of families too!

Why is Peru Hop better than trying to do it myself?

Simply put, it is very hard to do this itinerary by yourself without Peru Hop. You would have to coordinate getting to the bus terminals and from the bus terminals on your late return to Lima with little to no assistance from the Spanish speaking customer service from public bus companies.

As well as all of this, Peru Hop offers a local onboard Travel Assistant fluent in English who you will simply love (read reviews about our fun and friendly guides all over the internet!) and Peru Hop is a great way to meet people from all over the world.

Finally, when you factor in everything included in our prices, you will see we offer great value for money, something which again is often commented on by passengers after their trip!

What should I bring on this tour?

Both Huacachina and Paracas are sunny towns. The following list of items are recommended:

• Comfortable clothes
• Lightweight pants
• Shoes (both for the sandboarding/dune buggy tour)

Where can I leave my luggage when doing tours?

On a day tour, our onboard travel assistants will let you know where you can store your luggage for FREE! Another benefit of traveling with Peru Hop.

Of course valuables like cash and passports should always stay with you at all times, like with any bus or flight service!

Is Advance Booking Recommended?

Yes! Due to Peru Hop’s growing reputation as the best way to travel around Peru (which we are very proud of after 10 hard years), our trips can often fill up in advance, so advance booking is recommended. Check the availability using the green button above!

Can I change my ticket to another one after booking?

Sure, if you want to change your ticket for one that better suits your travel plans, please send us an email to proceed. Depending on the new ticket price and the timing of your request, the team will provide you with the available options.

Does traveling on Peru Hop help the local communities?

Yes, 100% it does.

Peru Hop was founded by Irish guys who moved to Peru and realized they had missed so much of this country when they were travelers, and so partnered with local Peruvians to develop a system to allow people discover the Real Peru.

By taking you to places most tourists don’t know about, you are helping local communities who often live below the poverty line to have a source of income. Simply buying some breakfast snacks or a water here or there really helps these communities.

As well as this, 95% of our staff are young Peruvians and we pay more than other travel and bus companies. They often use their salaries to help their families (here in Peru it is common kids, parents and grandparents to all live in the same small house).

Remember, most tourists either fly with billion dollar airlines or go on public buses owned by millionaires and make no stops between stops and don’t benefit local communities.

Don’t be a Typical Tourist, Discover the REAL Peru, and make this a win-win for you and for local Peruvians.

Info About Our Luxury Buses

Peru hop – #1 bus company in peru.

As well as an unbeatable safety record, Peru Hop is also famous for its punctuality and comfort. In South America, where things often run later than scheduled, we are very proud to say we achieve a 98.5% on-time arrival for each trip.

If comparing Peru Hop to other bus companies, make sure you check their safety record, past accidents, as well as their Tripadvisor page (if they even bother to have one) as often you will find there is a reason why some bus companies have “cheaper” prices than Peru Hop.

Features Of Our Buses

• 40 semi-bed reclining seats: All with sponge foam pads for added comfort.
• Modern and clean toilet: Unlike public buses that often smell bad and are not cleaned regularly.
• High-tech temperature controlled air system: We ensure it is never too hot or too cold.
• 3 LCD TVs on board: Just sit back and enjoy English-speaking movies on longer journeys.
• Highest quality brake and suspension system: To ensure that every passenger has a smooth and seamless journey.
• Blankets for every passenger: Snuggle up and get some sleep on longer trips.
• GPS monitoring system: Allows us to track our buses every step of the way and monitor driver velocity.
• USB ports on every seat: Charge your phone or any device throughout your whole trip.

Bus Safety Controls

• Large team of drivers: Our drivers are not overworked/tired as is often the case on other buses.
• Tour guide onboard: Our tour guide does regular checks on the drivers.
• Seatbelts: We have a seatbelt for every passenger and ask our passengers to wear them at all times.
• 24 hour GPS monitoring: Every bus is monitored from a secure point via GPS…we always know where the bus is and if it is taking any unscheduled stops.
• Constant contact: The drivers and the guide communicate continuously by telephone with the Peru Hop office.
• No tight deadlines: Our drivers are under NO pressure to arrive at a certain time, no need for increased speed or unnecessary risks.

View similar day trips

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Price: $129

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View all day trips from Lima

in paracas national reserve

Tour the Paracas National Reserve piloting an ATV yourself. This is a true tour full of emotion and adventure available to everyone since these are slow and very easy to drive, come and see the fossil area, the Cathedral, Yumake, the Isthmus and Playa Roja in a tour full of beauty and freedom. !

What you have to know

Atv - guided, does not includes.

Entrance to the reserve S./11.00

photos or videos

9am - 11am - 1pm - 3pm

Requirements.

Companion +5

Recommendations

Sun protection - long pants - jacket - comfortable shoes, what you need to know, cuatrimoto - guiado - casco.

Privacy Policies - Terms and Conditions

©2022. Paracas.pe. All Rights Reserved.

PREGUNTAS FRECUENTES

What places in paracas can you do atvs.

We will visit the isthmus of the peninsula and we will make a trip to the circuit of beaches in which you will see a beautiful view in the images and if you are imagining it, I recommend that you live this great experience that you will never forget.

https://www.paracasexplorer.com/tour/cuatrimotos-en-paracas/#:~:text=Usted%20disfrutar%C3%A1%20de%20nuestras%20cuatrimotos,experimentados%20y%20el%20equipo%20completo .

How long does the ATV ride in Paracas last?

This beautiful adventure lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes, and can be managed on your own schedule. You notify us by WhatsApp so that you can enjoy this beautiful experience in Paracas.

https://www.emotiontourperu.com/package/tour-de-aventura-en-cuatrimotos/#:~:text=Tour%20de%20Aventura%20en%20Cuatrimotos%20Paracas%20ATVs%3A&text=Este%20trayecto%20tiene%20una%20duraci%C3%B3n,tur%C3%ADsticos%20cuenta%20con%20amplia%20experiencia .

What are the additional recommendations?

A confirmation will be received at the time of booking.

It is not recommended for travelers with back problems.

It is not recommended for pregnant travelers.

Not suitable for people with heart problems or serious medical conditions.

Most travelers can participate.

It is not recommended for children under 15 years of age.

Not recommended for older adults.

This experience requires good weather.

If canceled due to bad weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

This tour/This activity can have a maximum of 20 travelers.

https://www.tripadvisor.co/AttractionProductReview-g445063-d17634149-ATV_in_the_Paracas_National_Reserve-Paracas_Ica_Region.html#/media-atf/17634149/-2:p/?albumid=-150&type=0&category=-150

How can we help you?

ATVs in Paracas

$ 30.00

• Duration: 2 hours
• Activity level: high
• Group size: medium

Description

• What Does It Include?

This is a great adventure, full of adrenaline and fun. You will enjoy our quad bikes throughout the Paracas National Reserve, with experienced guides and the entire team.

In our tour we will visit the Isthmus of the peninsula and we will make the circuit of Beaches (Playa Roja and Yumaque)

• Revenue tickets.
• Explanation of handling.
• Quad bike tour.
• Safety devices.
• Theoretical talk about safety and handling of the equipment.

Does not include

• Dark glasses.
• Rehydrating drinks.

More than 50,000 passengers per year.

We take customer satisfaction very seriously.

We work to the highest safety standards.

Tour/Related Packages

Paracas – Ica Full Day

• Duration: 1 day
• Group size: large

Tour Ballestas Islands

• Activity level: low

Tambo Colorado

• Duration: 3 hours .
• Activity level: Low
• Group size: small

Paracas Explorer the travel agency N ° 1 in sales in Paracas

Every year more than 50,000 passengers trust us..

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ATVs Adventure Tour Paracas National Reserve

ATVs Adventure Tour

ATVs Adventure Tour 

Adventure in the paracas national reserve.

TOUR DETAILS

• Departure place: We start with the pick up from your hotel in Paracas or bus station in Paracas
• Tour duration: 2 hours
• Departure times: 08:15 am / 11:15 am / 1:15 pm / 3:30 pm
• Minimum required: 02 passengers
• Anticipation of reservation: Anticipated coordination.
• Type of service: Small group
• Availability: Every day.

Description:

Enjoy a good time of  adventure, visiting the Paracas National Reserve by Atvs

After to share the instructions about our paracas adventure tour, each participant will take a ATVs (cuatrimoto) for then follow to our guide and enter to the Paracas National Reserve ,

It Includes:

✔ Pick up and dropp off from hotel in Pacaras or bus station. ✔ ATV adventure tour ✔ Guide instructor ✔  Tourist Entrances

✔ Perment Assistence

Not includes:

• – This paracas adventure tour is only for adults  +18 (local laws).
• – Use double mask, light clothing
• – You should always use sunscreen and insect repellent insect
• – Bring water
• – There is no cell coverage in the area
• – Local businesses only accept cash.

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• June 9, 2020
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How To Visit Paracas National Reserve – 4 Ways To Suit Every Backpacker

What’s the best way to visit paracas national reserve.

Paracas National Reserve is a 10-minute drive from the town of Paracas. There are four different ways of visiting the park, each one suiting most backpackers needs from budget-friendly to expensive.

Here are the four best ways of visiting Paracas National Reserve:

• Renting a bicycle
• A guided tour with transport into the park
• An ATV or buggy tour
• Renting a moped

In the table below we’ve summarised each method including the price, timings, advantages, and disadvantages so you know which way will work best for you.

All tourists have to pay an entrance fee of 11 soles to the park. You will have to pay this for all four options we have outlined.  

1. How To Bike To Paracas National Reserve

• Cost: 25 soles for bike rental ($5-6) 
• Advantages – freedom from a tour to explore anywhere, the cheapest option
• Disadvantages – no escape from the sun, a lot more effort, no knowledge from local guide

You can easily rent a bike from places in town. It should cost you no more than 25 soles for 24 hours rental. Just check the tires, brakes and gears before you head out as you will have a couple of hills to deal with.

From the town, you can simply follow the highway (PE-28 / Ingreso Puerto General San Martin) south until you reach the national park. Just be sure to stick to the side of the road as it is mainly used by heavy goods vehicles. It’s around a 15-minute cycle along the main road  before you reach the checkpoint for the park.

Once you start heading up a hill with the Paracas Museum on your right, this is your indication to take a turn soon. At the top of the hill, the path will split with all the trucks and lorries continuing along the highway. Take the left along the dirt road  ‘Ruta a Lagunillas’  (you should see a sign pointing the way) and you are in the national reserve.

Once you’re in the park you can follow the path you are on to cycle to Red Sand Beach (Playa Roja) which should take no longer than 20 minutes.

We’ve gone into a lot more detail on 3 potential routes to see all the sights and places of interest here if this is the option for you:

• How To Visit Paracas National Reserve On Bike

We suggest leaving early in the day if you go for this option (around 7 or 8 AM) to make sure you aren’t out in the midday desert heat for too long. Don’t worry too much about being hot though as the ocean breeze keeps you nice and cool, worry more about sunburn.

One downside to consider is, if you want to visit all the sites such as Red Sand Beach and La Catedral, this will mean a long day and a lot of distance on the bike so make sure you are fit enough!

2. How To Book A Guided Tour To Paracas National Reserve

• Cost: Tours start from $15
• Advantages : low effort, meet people, see everything, learn from the guide
• Disadvantages : no freedom, limited amount of time spent at sights, higher cost

A guided tour will help you tick off all the best sights in the national park such as Red Sand Beach and La Catedral . Guided tours often go out in the late afternoon as well so you get to watch the sunset along the coast.

Most tours start from around $15 and last 4 hours.

Here is the cheapest we can find:

• Find Local Trips – $15  

Or Get Your Guide have more expensive options starting from $40

An even better way of booking a tour and getting it cheaper is going through a backpacker hostel.

In our Paracas backpackers guide, we recommend staying at Kokopelli Hostel .  They have an in-house travel agency running tours that are a bit cheaper than the ones in town. This option is also a great way to meet people from the hostel.

Check out Paracas backpacker guide for everything else you need to know about the town, including the best places to eat and some other great tours you can book:

• Paracas Backpackers Guide & 3-Day Itinerary

If you book through Kokopelli, they specifically advertise it as a sunset tour . The tour will last about 3 hours and you’ll be picked up around 3 PM, the sunset is at approximately 6 PM all year round. You’ll be taken into the national park on a minibus and the driver will drop your group and the guide off.

You’ll hike for around 1.5 hours across the dunes, stopping at the Red Sand Beach and La Catedral,

Then you’ll reach the viewpoint for sunset to take some incredible pictures and watch the sun go down over the Pacific. After this, the bus driver will be waiting to take you back to the town.

Make sure to take a coat or windbreaker as the wind can be strong. It’s no coincidence as to why Paracas is a popular kitesurfing hotspot.

3. How To Book An ATV or Buggy Tour To Paracas National Reserve

• Cost: Tours start from $35
• Advantages : super fun, knowledge of guide to know where to drive
• Disadvantages : less freedom to explore, more expensive than a simple guided tour

What better way to see the park than by driving a buggy over the rolling dunes and then parking up on the cliffs to watch the sunset. This is a great way to see the national reserve, especially if you’re looking for an adrenaline fix as well.

You also get the added benefit of the guides knowledge so you know where you can drive and park, which you won’t have if you rent one yourself. Guides always know the best spots for pictures too.

These tours are shorter compared to the rest on this list, lasting 2 hours, but you will still see all the popular sights.

Playa Roja Tours do mini-buggy and ATV tours of the park:

• Playa Roja – Paracas National Reserve Buggy Tour
• Playa Roja – Paracas National Reserve ATV Tour

Or Get Your Guide has tours as well:

• Get Your Guide – Paracas National Reserve Buggy Tour

4. How To Rent A Moped To Visit Paracas National Reserve

• Cost: Rentals start from $45
• Advantages : freedom from a tour, go anywhere and stay in places longer, no effort required
• Disadvantages: most expensive option, can’t drive everywhere that buggies or bicycles can go

Like renting a bicycle, this option will give you the most freedom . You will also save a lot more time as you won’t have to be busting a lung pedalling on a bike and you can stay out of the sun more as you will reach shaded areas of the park quicker.

Because of the time saved, you can spend more time at the sights or sunbathing on the beaches in the park. You can easily stop for an hour or more for lunch at one of the few restaurants in the park and just take everything at a much slower pace.

Another benefit is that you can stay to watch the sunset and not have to worry about it getting dark. You can ride back to town on the road with your moped which you couldn’t do if you had a standard bicycle.

The only downside of this option is the cost but if you can afford it, it’s the way to go.

Emotion Tour Peru rent mopeds:

• Emotion Tour Peru

Visiting Paracas National Reserve is one of our many reasons to visit Peru. For more great reasons, check out the post below:

• Is Peru Worth Visiting? 12 Great Reasons You Should Visit In 2022

How To Get To And From Paracas

How To Get To Paracas National Reserve From Lima

Paracas will usually be the second stop on a backpacker’s journey from Lima, and it’s easy to reach.

The bus journey takes around three to four hours , and there are several public bus companies to pick from. We went with Cruz Del Sur due to the better reviews and weren’t disappointed. The process is the same for any bus company you choose so we’ll outline what we did here.

There isn’t a single main bus terminal in Lima, and the different bus companies have separate terminals. So, to get to Cruz Del Sur bus terminal, we found it on google (Av. Javier Prado Este 41, San Isidro, 15034) and hopped in a uber which cost around $5 from central Lima.

You can book your bus online or turn up on the day. Here are two online booking sites:

• Red – is specifically for Peru – the app works well, and there’s no need for physical tickets
• Bus Bud – an international company that we used a lot travelling around South America.

For more backpacker guides on Lima, check out the posts below:

• Lima Backpackers Guide & Best Things To Do
• Lima vs Cusco: Which One Is Best If You Are Short On Time?

How To Get From Paracas To Huacachina

The easiest way to get from Paracas to Huacachina is by local bus . The bus journey takes around an hour and a half.

If you are going to Huacachina then you will have to get the bus to Ica and get off there, then take a taxi into the oasis. The taxi shouldn’t cost more than 10 soles.

For more information on the incredible desert oasis of Huacachina, check out the post below:

• Huacachina – Is It Worth It Visiting?

How To Get From Paracas To Arequipa

If you aren’t stopping at the desert oasis of Huacachina, then the next stop south will be Arequipa. The journey is over 750km and takes around 20 hours via bus so best to take a night bus.

Alternatively, you can travel back to Lima and then fly to Arequipa.

For more on Arequipa, check out our travel guides:

• The Best Things To Do In Arequipa As A Backpacker
• How Many Days Do You Need In Arequipa?

Paracas National Reserve FAQs

What can you do in paracas national reserve.

The main attraction in Paracas National Reserve is visiting the natural wonders such as the unique Red Sand Beach (Playa Roja) and the now collapsed rock formation of La Catedral. You can also visit the beaches and swim at some of them. There are also a small number of restaurants in the town of Lagunillas (inside the reserve) for people wanting to have some fresh ceviche for lunch or to enjoy a pisco sour.

Can You Swim In Paracas?

Yes, you can swim in Paracas. The beach in Paracas town (El Chaco) has shallow water and you can go for a dip here. There are also a couple of beaches inside Paracas National Reserve that you can swim at. The best beach to swim at is Yumaque beach as the waters are calm.

Can You Swim At Playa Roja?

The best way to get from Lima to Paracas is by bus. The bus journey takes three to four hours and there are several public bus companies to pick from.

Once you arrive in Paracas town you will need to book a guided tour or rent a bicycle to explore the national reserve.  

How Many Days Do You Need In Paracas?

Two days is an ideal amount of time to spend in Paracas. You can spend one day visiting the National Reserve and the second day visiting the Ballestas Islands.

Take three days maximum in Paracas if you wish to visit the park more than once or in different ways, for example during the day on bikes and then at sunset on a guided tour.

Is Paracas Worth Visiting?

If you are backpacking through Peru, then Paracas is well worth a visit.

It’s the second stop along from Lima on the classic gringo/backpacker trail that follows the coast south and then loops round to end in Cusco, so it is easy to get to.

Also, the desert landscape is unique and beautiful and the Ballestas islands are definitely worth ticking off if you want to experience wildlife but can’t afford a visit to the Galapagos Islands.

For more on backpacking in Peru, check out our itineraries and travel routes:

• Peru Three-Week Backpacking Itinerary
• Peru 1-Month Backpacking Itinerary

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Joe Bayfield

Hi I'm Joe Bayfield, Bayf for short. I love South America and want people to visit this incredible continent. I’ve travelled through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina and also lived in Lima, Medellin and Buenos Aires. I write detailed South America itineraries to help you plan your next adventure!

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