
Lima : Paracas & Huacachina- Day to Islas Ballestas & Sandboard
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 122 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Lima : Paracas & Huacachina- Day to Islas Ballestas & Sandboard worth booking?
Lima : Paracas & Huacachina- Day to Islas Ballestas & Sandboard is a 14-hour experience in Lima, Peru, from $79 per person. It scores 71 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 122 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 71 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (122)
- Duration
- 14 hours
- From
- $79 per person
Don't let time constraints in Lima stop you from visiting Huacachina and Paracas. See the desert oasis and natural sights on a full-day excursion, ideal for travelers short on time. In one day you will be able to embark on a tour of the Ballestas Islands, often compared to the Galapagos Islands, to see colonies of sea lions and seals & explore the Huacachina desert in a dune buggy and go sandboarding.
What you get
About this experience
Don't let time constraints in Lima stop you from visiting Huacachina and Paracas. See the desert oasis and natural sights on a full-day excursion, ideal for travelers short on time. In one day you will be able to embark on a tour of the Ballestas Islands, often compared to the Galapagos Islands, to see colonies of sea lions and seals & explore the Huacachina desert in a dune buggy and go sandboarding.
What's included
Included
- Bilingual guide EN / SP
- Dune buggy
- No hidden fees
- Sandboarding
- 2-hour boat ride to Isla Ballestas
Not included
- Pick up & Drop Off hotel
- Lunch
- Local taxes
What you'll see and do
Paracas
Arrive in Paracas around 9:45 a.m., then you will go with your guide to the port to board the boat for the tour to Isla Ballestas.
30 minutes here
Las Islas Ballestas
Boat tour to the Ballestas Islands to see the penguins and sea lions in their natural habitat, and more than 50 others species of animals. There we will have a tour for approximately 2 hours, where we will explain about the famous mysterious "Candelabra" that we will see on the hill and about all the marine fauna that inhabits the place.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Pisco Nietto
We will then visit a "Nietto" or "Taster" winery. We will stop to eat at this place (food not included). After eat, we will have a free tasting of our national drink "Pisco" and drinks based on this liquor. We will explain the process of making the drink so that they end up tasting its fantastic flavor with good and fun typical toasts. We will have nice tasting there !
120 minutes here · Admission included
Huacachina Oasis
Arrive to Ica (Huacachina). In this beautiful oasis, you can enjoy of the quiet place and walking around the lake and take unforgettable pictures.
10 minutes here
Huacachina Oasis
Get your adrenaline flowing on a small-group dune buggy and sandboarding tour in Huacachina. The excursion begins with a thrilling 4WD ride through the dunes. With an experienced driver behind the vehicle's wheel, you’re free to let go and embrace the adventure. At the top of the dunes, you can give sandboarding a try.
1 minutes here · Admission included
Lima
Return to lima, at the meeting point around 10:30pm (depend of traffic)
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Lima
Near Larcomar , in Front of the Marriot hotel. Our bus will be there at the pickup time. In exceptional situation, the meeting point may vary to avoid traffic or closing road (In Saga Falabella de Miraflores), we will let you know the day before
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Near Larcomar , in Front of the Marriot hotel. Our bus will be there at the pickup time. In exceptional situation, the meeting point may vary to avoid traffic or closing road (In Saga Falabella de Miraflores), we will let you know the day before
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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- IZI PERU
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The total duration includes travel time.
- It sometimes happens that the sea is too rough to visit the Ballestas Islands by boat. If a weather report announcing a storm, we may cancel the boat tour around the Ballestas Islands for security reasons. In this case a financial reimbursement will be refunded to you ($10 per person) or another activity will be proposed
- Baby under 1 year old can come, but cannot participate in activities of the day
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 122 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
122 verified traveler reviews for Lima : Paracas & Huacachina- Day to Islas Ballestas & Sandboard. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Nice Experience…but very long
It was a good tour but prepare yourself for the length because we started around 5am and reached our hotel a little after 11pm. We experienced a little of everything. I would say it’s definitely worth the money. Just make sure have money whether it’s cash or card to buy food n souvenirs. My only issue slightly was the English speaking tour guide didn’t really explain things fully like the Spanish speaking tour guide but I understand that English is not their first language. Our guides were Gian & Jesus they were great.
via Tripadvisor
Super tour
Hi super tour! Well worth it. Just one positive feedback, for long drives yo and from the tour a more comfortable transportation, especially for long legs. But other than that all was super, good explanation and nice sites visited.
via Tripadvisor
Enjoyable day, long time...
Enjoyable day, long time on coach but it was very comfortable! Sandboarding was lots of fun and views amazing!
via Viator
Just slide down
Amazing experience , just do it and slide down the sand dunes, also the drivers were professional and knowledgeable
via Viator
Long, fun day
Our family of four took this tour (during our first trip to Lima). We were picked up at the JW Marriot. We were told to meet there at 5:00, but the bus did not arrive until closer to 5:30 (you will get a message the day before stating the bus may arrive later than the scheduled pick-up time, so don't be worried). Christopher was our tour guide and he was friendly, professional, and trustworthy (he spoke in English and Spanish). I overpacked based on reviews I read. You really do not need to take a lot. You can buy drinks and snacks at every stop. Your first stop is at a roadside 'restaurant' in which you can get breakfast. You then drive to Paracas where you will take a boat ride. People here will try to sell you hats, gators, and sunglasses. If you do not have them for the sand dunes, buy them here, as nobody will be selling them at the dunes. After the boat ride, you will go into a store (they gave us cookie samples that they then try to sell you) will have a little time to shop. From there you will drive to lunch and Pisco tasting. Your guide will send you a menu on the bus ride and you will text him your lunch order. The lunch spot (Tres Niettos/Nietto) was a nice/clean/upscale vibe. We enjoyed our food. After you eat, you do some Pisco tasting (about 5 different kinds). My daughters were a little bored at the tasting, but it was pretty quick (if you do not want to do the tasting you can walk around during that time, you do not have to participate). After this stop, you then drive to what we thought was the most fun part of the day, the sand dunes. There is a small food stand/store front you park at. From there, you will be assigned a dune buggy. You go for a short ride, then you stop and have to climb up the hill from which you can look down at the oasis and take pictures (you get about 5 minutes). After that, you will drive around a little longer. Your guide will park up at the top of a sand dune and will take pictures of you on your dune buggy if you would like. Then you will get your boards to sandboard down the dune on. This was thrilling and exciting all at the same time. After this, you go on one last ride around the dunes before you head back to the bus. You can buy drinks/snacks and use the restroom before boarding the bus for the 4 1/2 hour drive back to Lima. We arrived back at 10:30pm. The seats on our bus were comfortable and reclined nicely which was nice since you spend majority of the day on the bus. Our bus did not have a restroom for use and it did not have charging ports for phones (so bring your portable chargers). Every stop has restrooms to use (as well as toilet paper) but you must pay for almost all of them, so bring coins for that. Overall, the highlight of our trip was the sand dunes. I wish we could have gone down into the oasis. If there was an excursion to just go to the sand dunes and oasis, although it's a long drive, I would have done that.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 14 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 43
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by IZI PERU, who run 30 experiences we rank across 5 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 48.5.
See everything IZI PERU runsWhy this scores 71
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Lima : Paracas & Huacachina- Day to Islas Ballestas & Sandboard: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Lima.
How much does Lima : Paracas & Huacachina- Day to Islas Ballestas & Sandboard cost?
+
Prices start at $79 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 Lima : Paracas & Huacachina- Day to Islas Ballestas & Sandboard take?
+
Plan for about 14 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 Lima : Paracas & Huacachina- Day to Islas Ballestas & Sandboard worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 71 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 122 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 Lima : Paracas & Huacachina- Day to Islas Ballestas & Sandboard?
+
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 Lima : Paracas & Huacachina- Day to Islas Ballestas & Sandboard suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 14-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Lima : Paracas & Huacachina- Day to Islas Ballestas & Sandboard?
+
Around 43 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?
+
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 14-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Lima : Paracas & Huacachina- Day to Islas Ballestas & Sandboard start and how do I get there?
+
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?
+
On Outty we rank every Lima experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Premium Paracas & Huacachina Day Trip from Lima with Sunset Toast, Discover Lima: Love Park, Historic Center, and its Catacombs., Paracas & Huacachina Premium Experience from Lima. 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?
+
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?
+
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?
+
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.
What is included in Lima : Paracas & Huacachina- Day to Islas Ballestas & Sandboard?
+
Included: Bilingual guide EN / SP; Dune buggy; No hidden fees; Sandboarding; and 2-hour boat ride to Isla Ballestas. Not included: Pick up & Drop Off hotel; Lunch; and Local taxes. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Lima : Paracas & Huacachina- Day to Islas Ballestas & Sandboard?
+
Near Larcomar , in Front of the Marriot hotel. Our bus will be there at the pickup time. In exceptional situation, the meeting point may vary to avoid traffic or closing road (In Saga Falabella de Miraflores). Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Lima : Paracas & Huacachina- Day to Islas Ballestas & Sandboard offered in?
+
It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Lima : Paracas & Huacachina- Day to Islas Ballestas & Sandboard?
+
Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Lima : Paracas & Huacachina- Day to Islas Ballestas & Sandboard wheelchair or stroller accessible?
+
The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Lima : Paracas & Huacachina- Day to Islas Ballestas & Sandboard if the weather is bad?
+
It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Lima. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Lima : Paracas & Huacachina- Day to Islas Ballestas & Sandboard?
+
Across 122 reviews averaging 4.5 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Lima : Paracas & Huacachina- Day to Islas Ballestas & Sandboard.
Pick your date




