Paracas Nature Reserve
Paracas Nature Reserve
4.5
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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
356 reviews
Excellent
228
Very good
93
Average
25
Poor
5
Terrible
5
Ignacio R
Brisbane, Australia18 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
The reserve is picturesque enough and worth the visit of you have some time to kill. Avoid taking the tours if you can, we knew it would be mediocre but it was still cheaper for us than other options.
Literally half of the time is spent having lunch at a restaurant that they bring you to and on one of the painfully sad beaches in the park. We thought at least the guide might give 2 bits of interesting info, but he was straight up insane and started to talk about how hybrid alien mummies were found in the area and that the descendants of Atlantis had lived there when that continent sank. It was so bizarre it was hard not to laugh.
Literally half of the time is spent having lunch at a restaurant that they bring you to and on one of the painfully sad beaches in the park. We thought at least the guide might give 2 bits of interesting info, but he was straight up insane and started to talk about how hybrid alien mummies were found in the area and that the descendants of Atlantis had lived there when that continent sank. It was so bizarre it was hard not to laugh.
Written 31 January 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.
Susysv
Paris, France189 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
The small town of Paracas is great and has a great hôtel resort, restaurants and a beach to enjoy and relax. The natural reserve itself is a vast desolate desert. It is located next to the town. We decided to rent bikes to explore it but did not realize the risks involved because of the very hot desert sun with bikes that we hired which were NOT in excellent shape. (It’s around 10 km from the town to the beginning of the reserve). Because of this we decided to go only half way then decided to go back, found a way via the beach where it was cooler and as there were houses in case we got stuck. Hiring bikes is a lovely way to explore the reserve but my advice is to get a very early start, around 7/7:30am to avoid the heat and make sure to get a good bike. :)
Written 13 February 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.
setfire
Vancouver, Canada119 contributions
Sept 2022
A place where the desert meets the ocean. The scenery here is amazing and there's no bad photo ops. This place is huge and most tourists only see a small portion of it. Definitely take some time and explore the place more, if you can.
Written 11 October 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.
Maxxxbar
Houilles, France4 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
We took the decision To visit this place by bike alone as a lot offrait people do. We were attacked by 3 mens in a red car, they had gun... and they stole all our belongings. Take with you only what's necessary and let your passport at the hôtel or agency
Written 4 May 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.
EWW06840
New Canaan, CT59 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
Pedro, of Buganvilla Tours, took me on a tour of the Paracas Nature Reserve. He was incredibly well-educated and knowledgeable about the history and natural history of this unique and unusual place. It is like nowhere else. Vast, empty, serene, quiet. A much better way to spend your time than in the tourist trap of Paracas.
Written 30 July 2017
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.
Gerardo C
Lima, Peru45 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
The reserve is amazing. We got a private cab with an excellent guide who took us to every place and was explaining everything and without the pressure of getting the tour in regular groups. The price was good and we really enjoyed each part of it. All the places are nice and have a magic landscape, but if you don't have to visit everything you can skip La Mina is an overrated place with cold water and not much more to offer; all other places have nicer landscapes.
Written 13 January 2019
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.
Maria B
Montreal, Canada221 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
When organizing a trip in Peru, the stop in Paracas is a bit of a puzzle since you need to be on time with the few buses that ride from one city to another.
So we took the bus from Lima in the morning. We arrived in Paracas and we approached 4-5 stands to book our boat tour for the next morning. We booked the boat for 8am the next day. At the same place we booked a quad tour (2h) with a private guide. (30 soles each) We then went to Paracas National Park and enjoyed the rest of the evening in the hotel.
The tour was fantastic and the scenery was breathtaking! We strongly recommend it.
So we took the bus from Lima in the morning. We arrived in Paracas and we approached 4-5 stands to book our boat tour for the next morning. We booked the boat for 8am the next day. At the same place we booked a quad tour (2h) with a private guide. (30 soles each) We then went to Paracas National Park and enjoyed the rest of the evening in the hotel.
The tour was fantastic and the scenery was breathtaking! We strongly recommend it.
Written 14 March 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.
Robert I
Seattle, WA99 contributions
Oct 2019 • Friends
A good guide will make the landscape come alive. We enjoyed the extraordinary views and learning about desert ecology. Don't miss it!
Written 20 October 2019
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.
Adam P
Trowbridge, UK4,795 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We cycled around this desert landscape and it was excellent. Great views, lots of different birds, and a good visitor centre (where you can buy drinks even though on the gate they advise you there is nothing). Just good old natural stuff to see.
Written 4 May 2019
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.
DatLoongJourney
Brisbane, Australia160 contributions
Feb 2018 • Friends
What a beauty. It is purely amazing to see and experience this desert by the Pacific Ocean. There are no trees/plants/shrubs, it's just you and the desert.
Make sure you get a guide to tell you about the history and interesting facts about the 'driest desert in the world'.
Tip 1: Bring water, lots of it. Keep hydrated throughout. If you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated, so keep the fluids up.
Tip 2: You will be outdoors, so make sure you wear sunscreen, bring a hat and have lots of water.
Tip 3: The Cathedral and the Red Sand Beach (1 of 5 in the world) are a must see.
Follow my #30somethinggapyear on Instagram @DatLoongJourney.
Make sure you get a guide to tell you about the history and interesting facts about the 'driest desert in the world'.
Tip 1: Bring water, lots of it. Keep hydrated throughout. If you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated, so keep the fluids up.
Tip 2: You will be outdoors, so make sure you wear sunscreen, bring a hat and have lots of water.
Tip 3: The Cathedral and the Red Sand Beach (1 of 5 in the world) are a must see.
Follow my #30somethinggapyear on Instagram @DatLoongJourney.
Written 1 March 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.
시원 박
Bangkok, Thailand
Is it possible to get a tour after 3pm? Out flight to Lima is in the morning and we want to take a bus to Paracas and have tour in the same day.
Written 30 November 2019
Yes, the Golden Shadows tour starts at 4pm into the reserve to see the sunset. It's really beautiful in there.
Written 1 December 2019
Hello! Does anyone know if it's possible to do a hike/trek in the reserve, and any recommendations for a guide?
Many thanks!
VC
Written 30 April 2019
There isn't much to hike within Paracas Nature Reserve. It's rather barren and there are a few viewpoints to visit. Would suggest you ride a buggy or ATV. You can arrange it with any tour operator in Paracas. And Paracas is tiny town.
Written 7 May 2019
Hello, we are going to Peru next week and I’m trying to plan as many details as possible beforehand. I would like to ask how to book a tour for Islas Ballestas and Paracas national reserve and while we are in Paracas is there anything else we shouldn’t skip? Thank you all in advance!
Written 31 March 2018
i would like to rent a car for few days to do the alpine route kiso valley and takayama to kanazawa area's can any one recommend a route and locations
Written 1 January 2018
Name of the tour company and or ay contact info
Written 31 December 2017
inside the small bus terminal you find one operator they were very nice and professional ( lady guide don' t remember the name ) and it was very beautiful day trip with good simple fish restaurant in remote place in the nature reserve
Written 1 January 2018
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