
Ballestas Islands, Paracas Reserve & Skulls Museum Private Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Ballestas Islands, Paracas Reserve & Skulls Museum Private Tour worth booking?
Ballestas Islands, Paracas Reserve & Skulls Museum Private Tour is a 13-hour experience in Lima, Peru, from $140 per person. It scores 58 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 2 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 58 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (2)
- Duration
- 13 hours
- From
- $140 per person
Located just 3 hours south of Lima we can find the Paracas Reserve and the Ballestas Islands, which host several species of birds, sea lions, fish as well as various marine species. See unique elongated skulls and beauti
What you get
- Breakfast box & refreshing drinks included
- Permanent Assistance
- Paracas Reserve & Museum Tour
- Ballestas Islands tour
- Seafood lunch included
- Tour Guide on board
About this experience
Located just 3 hours south of Lima we can find the Paracas Reserve and the Ballestas Islands, which host several species of birds, sea lions, fish as well as various marine species. See unique elongated skulls and beautiful textiles as you learn more about the Paracas culture. Discover the natural beauty of this place, in a full-day tour with a delicious seafood lunch in front of the sea.
What's included
Included
- Breakfast box & refreshing drinks included
- Permanent Assistance
- Paracas Reserve & Museum Tour
- Ballestas Islands tour
- Seafood lunch included
- Tour Guide on board
- Tourist Transportation (Minivan or SUV)
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- For pickups and drop offs from/to Callao and San Miguel Area: US$ 20.00 extra fee per person
What you'll see and do
Las Islas Ballestas
Meet your guide at your centrally located hotel in Lima for an early pickup at 04:30 a.m. Relax on the drive out to Paracas and enjoy a prepared breakfast box when the sun comes up. Upon arrival at Paracas, head straight to the Paracas dock to catch the first boat of the day to the Ballestas Islands, also known as the Mini Galapagos. Tour the islands with your guide and learn about the ecosystem and native wildlife, including sea lions, penguins, and much more.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Paracas National Reserve
Continue this unique experience visiting the Paracas National Reserve and learn about the history and significance of the protected natural area. Visit key attractions on the reserve such as the Interpretation Center, the Flamingo Viewpoint, the Cathedral and beautiful beaches like Playa Lagunillas, Playa Roja or Playa Yumaque. Enjoy a once in a lifetime experience and relax as you discover the richness and importance of this area.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Museo De Sitio Julio C Tello De Paracas
Your visit to the Paracas Reserve would not be complete, without visiting this unique museum. Learn interesting facts about the Paracas Culture, one of the most representative cultures in the history of Peru. See the rooms with potteries, textiles and the mysterious elongated skulls. Detailed visit and general assistance offered by your tour guide.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Paracas
Finally, enjoy a fresh seafood lunch in an ocean-view restaurant before beginning your trip back to Lima.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- pt, en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Vista Adventures
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Not wheelchair accessible
Photos






Good to know
- Duration
- 13 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $140 to $270
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Vista Adventures, who run 7 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 56.0.
See everything Vista Adventures runsWhy this scores 58
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Ballestas Islands, Paracas Reserve & Skulls Museum Private Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Lima.
How much does Ballestas Islands, Paracas Reserve & Skulls Museum Private Tour cost?
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Prices start at $140 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Lima usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Ballestas Islands, Paracas Reserve & Skulls Museum Private Tour take?
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Plan for about 13 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Lima is not rushed.
Is Ballestas Islands, Paracas Reserve & Skulls Museum Private Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 58 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 2 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Lima, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Ballestas Islands, Paracas Reserve & Skulls Museum Private Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Ballestas Islands, Paracas Reserve & Skulls Museum Private Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 13-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Ballestas Islands, Paracas Reserve & Skulls Museum Private Tour?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Lima can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Lima and add a light layer if any part of the 13-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Ballestas Islands, Paracas Reserve & Skulls Museum Private Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Lima within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Lima?
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On Outty we rank every Lima experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Peruvian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting, The Complete Lima Experience: History, Culture & Flavors, #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Lima?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Lima?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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