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 wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
356 reviews
Excellent
228
Very good
93
Average
25
Poor
5
Terrible
5
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kathinpa
Philadelphia, PA182 contributions
Sep 2019
We stopped here on a day trip from Lima, and I'm glad we did. This was an interesting kind of ecosystem to see, even if it wasn't a highlight of our trip.
There was a small museum not far inside the entrance which has some nice diagrams describing the biological & geological history of the area. I recommend skipping the cheesy film, though.
From there, you can walk down to see flamingos, but visitors are not allowed very close, so they're barely visible without binoculars or telephoto lens. Still pretty cool.
A drive around the reserve gets you to a couple of lookout points for some beautiful landscape views. I believe you can swim at some of the beaches.
There was a small museum not far inside the entrance which has some nice diagrams describing the biological & geological history of the area. I recommend skipping the cheesy film, though.
From there, you can walk down to see flamingos, but visitors are not allowed very close, so they're barely visible without binoculars or telephoto lens. Still pretty cool.
A drive around the reserve gets you to a couple of lookout points for some beautiful landscape views. I believe you can swim at some of the beaches.
Written January 3, 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.
Sean S
11 contributions
Jan 2020
By travelling with Peru Hop, we had a free tour of the reserve on the bus, with 3 stops for views and pictures. The first two stops were up on cliffs overlooking the bay and the water. The pictures were perfect, and the ocean breeze was refreshing. The 3rd stop was down at the water, and we immediately struck out for the water. The beach doesn’t have sand per say, but rather fine stones, similar to a quinoa consistency. The water was not rough, and the sound of the surf always melts my worries away, and it was very peaceful.
Written January 8, 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.
nicolas ambrosio
Esperanza, Argentina828 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
Beautiful reservation!! We entered after paying the fee in a cabin (actually we had paid in the city of Paracas when taking the excursion to the Ballestas Islands, so we saved the line. We entered with the rented car, we toured on our own and on our own schedule, we visited La Mina beach and Raspón to get into the water, then Lagunillas where there are several dining rooms....all that on one side of the reserve, and on the other we went to La Catedral and one or two more just to take beautiful photos in one of them or near it. , San Martín docked in the liberation campaign of Peru. When you leave, you will find the Museum, a recommendable place to visit in 20 minutes and see part of its culture. Recommended!
Written April 12, 2024
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.
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 January 31, 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 February 13, 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.
Al P
5 contributions
Mar 2020
Caly took us and 7 other travellers on a longish bus ride into the park. We had a great hike along the sea side cliffs and enjoyed an awesome sunset over the Pacific. There were some good climbs but my 62 year old body held up well!
Written April 13, 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.
patrick d
Calais, France8,351 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
One of the visits not to be missed in the area. Allow between 2 and 3 hours, taking your time to see the essentials. Take a map from the reserve, the routes are simple. Amazing viewpoints along the route. Unfortunately, backfiring quad bikes crisscross the area, in contrast to the tranquility of the place.
Written October 6, 2023
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
Sep 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 October 11, 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 May 4, 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 July 30, 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.
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 November 30, 2019
Yes, the Golden Shadows tour starts at 4pm into the reserve to see the sunset. It's really beautiful in there.
Written December 1, 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 April 30, 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 May 7, 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 March 31, 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 January 1, 2018
Name of the tour company and or ay contact info
Written December 31, 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 January 1, 2018
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