Visit Paracas

THE MAGNIFICENT BALLESTAS ISLANDS

AND THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

The main tourist attraction that causes Paracas to draw hundreds of tourists per day from Lima and beyond are the Ballestas Islands. This natural wonder, just off the coast on a calm ocean boasts the second largest concentration of sea birds on the planet; over 7 million in the Ballestas Islands!

A 30 minute boat ride takes you to the majestic Ballestas Islands (Islas Ballestas) from the main wharf located right in the town of Chaco. The nutrient rich waters of the area provide food in the form of plankton to support this, one of the richest ecological areas in the world.

The area supports such intriguing species such as pink flamingos

As well as numerous sea lion colonies

You can get close and personal with the amazing natural abundance

 

On the way to and from the Ballestas Islands you will pass by the 600 foot tall Candelabra (El Candelabro in Spanish.) It was made by the Paracas culture 3000 years ago as a navigational marker. Older than the Nazca Lines located to the east, this enigmatic symbol points almost due south, but to where? Check out the http://visitparacas.com/paracas-history-museum/ link for information about the Paracas culture, and http://visitparacas.com/history-tour/ area for guided tours of the entire region.