Why Honeymoon in Paracas
Paracas balances a mountain-heavy itinerary. After Cusco and Machu Picchu, a few days at sea level with a pool, a spa and desert sunsets feel restorative. The bay is calm enough for kayaking, paddleboarding and sailing.
The wildlife is the star. Boat trips to the Ballestas Islands pass huge colonies of sea lions, cormorants, boobies and pelicans. You may spot Humboldt penguins on the rocks. Flamingos sometimes feed in the reserve's shallows.
The landscape is unusual and photogenic, a world of sand, cliffs and color. Nearby, Huacachina's dunes and Ica's wineries add adventure and flavor. Paracas also has history: the Paracas culture, known for its intricate textiles, flourished here more than two thousand years ago.
When to Go
Paracas is sunny and dry year round, with almost no rain. December through April is summer, with warm days, the calmest seas and the most Peruvian visitors on weekends and holidays.
May through November is cooler, often with gray mornings and stronger afternoon winds. It is still a good time to visit and matches the Andes' dry season, so many couples pair it with Cusco then. Pack layers, because evenings can be chilly.
Avoid major Peruvian holidays such as Easter week and Fiestas Patrias in late July if you want quiet, since hotels fill with families from Lima. Ballestas tours run in the morning when seas are calmest. They may be canceled if the port authority closes the harbor in rough weather.
Where to Stay
Most comfortable hotels line the bay just south of town. Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort, has rooms and suites facing the water, a large pool, a spa and its own pier for Ballestas trips. La Hacienda Bahía Paracas offers rooms with direct pool access and a relaxed atmosphere. The DoubleTree by Hilton Paracas is a solid all-inclusive option.
In town, simpler hotels and guesthouses are close to the pier and restaurants, though they can be noisy on weekends.
Expect roughly $200 to $500 a night for the better resorts, as an approximate guide, with prices higher on holiday weekends. Book a room with a bay view to enjoy sunsets from your terrace.
Romantic Things to Do
Take an early boat to the Ballestas Islands. The trip takes about two hours and passes the Candelabro, a giant geoglyph etched into a sandy hillside. Around the islands you will see sea lions basking on the rocks and huge flocks of seabirds.
Explore the Paracas National Reserve by car, bike or tour. Stop at Playa Roja, a beach of red sand. Continue to the viewpoints above the cliffs where the rock arch called La Catedral stood until an earthquake in 2007. Eat fresh seafood in the fishing village of Lagunillas.
Take a day trip to Huacachina, a lagoon surrounded by giant dunes near Ica, for a dune buggy ride and sandboarding at sunset. Combine it with a tasting at a pisco bodega. For a special treat, book a scenic flight over the Nazca Lines.
Getting There and Around
Fly into Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) in Lima, which has nonstops from many US cities. From Lima, the drive south along the Pan-American Highway takes about 3.5 to 4 hours. Private transfers are the most comfortable choice. Comfortable buses such as Cruz del Sur and Oltursa also run to Paracas. Peru Hop runs a backpacker-style service with stops along the way.
Pisco's small airport (PIO) is close to Paracas but has very limited scheduled service, so most couples drive. It is used by some Nazca Lines overflight operators.
Once in Paracas, the town is walkable. You will need a tour, taxi, bike or car for the reserve, Huacachina and Ica. Hotels can arrange most excursions.
Food and Drink
Seafood is the specialty. Waterfront restaurants in town and in Lagunillas serve ceviche, tiradito, chicharrón de pescado and grilled fish caught that morning. Try conchas a la parmesana, scallops baked with cheese.
Pisco is the region's signature spirit. The Ica valley, about an hour away, is home to many bodegas, from small family producers to historic estates. Tastings usually include different grape varieties and blends, plus local wines.
Resort restaurants offer international menus and good cocktails. For a romantic evening, book a table by the bay at sunset and order a pisco sour or a chilcano, pisco with ginger ale and lime.
Honeymoon Tips
- Book the first Ballestas boat of the day for the calmest seas and the best light.
- Bring a hat, sunscreen and a windbreaker. The sun is strong and the afternoon wind can be fierce.
- Do not expect warm ocean swimming. The water is cold year round.
- Keep belongings out of sight in cars and on buses. The US State Department rates Peru Level 2, exercise increased caution.
- Choose a reputable operator for Nazca flights. Small planes and tight turns can be hard on stomachs.
- Plan two or three nights to see the islands, the reserve and Huacachina without rushing.
