
Ballestas Islands Tour & Paracas Reserve from Lima (Private)
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Ballestas Islands Tour & Paracas Reserve from Lima (Private) worth booking?
Ballestas Islands Tour & Paracas Reserve from Lima (Private) is a 12-hour experience in Lima, Peru, from $130 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 7 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 64 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (7)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $130 per person
Discover the Natural Wonders of Paracas & the Ballestas Islands Experience one of Peru’s most breathtaking coastal destinations, where marine life thrives in astonishing abundance. On the Ballestas Islands, you’ll obser
What you get
- Knowledgeable Tour Guide
- Guided tour & boat excursion to The Ballestas Islands
- Pick up and Drop off from Lima: Miraflores, Barranco, San Isidro or Lima center.
- Private Air-conditioned Transport - (shared activities)
- Guided tour to The Paracas National Reserve
About this experience
Discover the Natural Wonders of Paracas & the Ballestas Islands Experience one of Peru’s most breathtaking coastal destinations, where marine life thrives in astonishing abundance. On the Ballestas Islands, you’ll observe playful sea lions, graceful seabirds, and charming Humboldt penguins — an incredible wildlife spectacle you’ll never forget. Your journey also includes a visit to the Julio C. Tello Site Museum, where you will discover the ancient Paracas culture through impressive textiles, ceramics, and archaeological artifacts from the region. Continue to the Paracas National Reserve, a stunning landscape where dramatic rock formations meet the deep blue Pacific Ocean, creating views that feel almost surreal. This destination is perfect for adventure seekers and nature lovers who wish to connect with the beauty and diversity of Peru’s marine world. Book your adventure now and witness the magic of Paracas!
What's included
Included
- Knowledgeable Tour Guide
- Guided tour & boat excursion to The Ballestas Islands
- Pick up and Drop off from Lima: Miraflores, Barranco, San Isidro or Lima center.
- Private Air-conditioned Transport - (shared activities)
- Guided tour to The Paracas National Reserve
Not included
- No meals included: breakfast, lunch or dinner
What you'll see and do
Las Islas Ballestas
Afrter picking you up from Lima, we will go to Paracas to take a speed boat to the Ballestas Islands reserve, rich in marine life with animals such as sea-lions, birds and even cute penguins. Also, observe the mysterious “Candelabro geoglyph”, made by the ancient Paracas civilization 2000 B.C.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Museo De Sitio Julio C Tello De Paracas
You will visit the Julio C. Tello Site Museum, where you will explore the remarkable Paracas culture, considered one of the earliest civilizations along Peru’s coastline. Inside the museum, you can admire ancient textiles, pottery, and archaeological artifacts discovered in the Paracas region, offering valuable insight into the area’s rich cultural and historical legacy.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Paracas National Reserve
After your tour around the islands, your expert guide will explain you here about the desert formation. Have the chance to see the landscapes where many migratory birds stop. The highlight here is the stunning contrast of the desert right together with the ocean and the beautiful sceneries that this creates. Finally, we go back to Lima City and drop you off al your hotel.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 14 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Lima Highlights Travel & Tours
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Small groups
1 mentionThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
7 verified traveler reviews for Ballestas Islands Tour & Paracas Reserve from Lima (Private). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Paracas precioso
This is a must-do tour when in Lima. Amazing fauna and food. The guide Leidy was great and very friendly.
via Viator
The trip was great. The...
The trip was great. The three of us were picked up from our hotel early in the morning. The car was new and clean and bithe the driver and the guid very nice and friendly. We saw other groups traveling in big busses and were so happy to have this private tour. The island trip was very interesting. We saw many different birds, penguins and sea lions. Then we wantvto Paracas to edmire ots beauty, the red. Each, flamingos and museum.
via Viator
Just a Great Day
An excellent tour, great, very-full, itinerary of an amazing area - scenic and fascinating and a comfortable vehicle. Our guide Pamela was just fabulous, knowledgeable, efficient and very friendly. Our driver Alonzo was awesome, we hit a complete traffic standstill (due to a major accident) on the highway on the way down from Lima and he managed to maneuver and navigate via side roads to get out of and around the bottleneck. Lima Highlights was very communicative and responsive during and after the booking process, as well as when we had a delay getting back to Lima that threatened us making it back in time for the tour.
via Tripadvisor
Absolutely recommended!
Fantastic opportunity to see some amazing animals up close in their natural environment. Our guide was excellent. We saw sea lions and cute penguins jumping out of the water while getting to the Island. It was a surreal experience seeing all these animals. This is very interesting and worthwhile a boat trip! The Paracas Reserve worth a visit, too. The landscape is quite impressive. One highlight was the cathedral, but also the red beach was very beautiful. All in all, we had a great time and definitely recommend it!
via Tripadvisor
Fabulous and Informative
Long drive from and back to Lima, but in a comfortable vehicle. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and well-prepared. The scenery and wildlife magnificent.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 5+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $130 to $195
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Lima Highlights Travel & Tours, who run 6 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 58.9.
See everything Lima Highlights Travel & Tours runsWhy this scores 64
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Ballestas Islands Tour & Paracas Reserve from Lima (Private): questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Lima.
How much does Ballestas Islands Tour & Paracas Reserve from Lima (Private) cost?
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Prices start at $130 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 Tour & Paracas Reserve from Lima (Private) take?
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Plan for about 12 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 Tour & Paracas Reserve from Lima (Private) worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 7 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 Tour & Paracas Reserve from Lima (Private)?
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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 Tour & Paracas Reserve from Lima (Private) suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 5. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 12-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Ballestas Islands Tour & Paracas Reserve from Lima (Private)?
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Around 2 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 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Ballestas Islands Tour & Paracas Reserve from Lima (Private) 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 Day Tour From Lima: Paracas, Huacachina, Pisco Vineyard & Sunset, Premium Paracas & Huacachina Day Trip from Lima with Sunset Toast, Full Paracas & Huacachina Day Trip from Lima: Sunset Experience. 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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