
Paracas National Reserve & Ballestas Islands Tour (Private)
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 10 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Paracas National Reserve & Ballestas Islands Tour (Private) worth booking?
Paracas National Reserve & Ballestas Islands Tour (Private) is a 12-hour experience in Lima, Peru, from $125 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 10 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (10)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $125 per person
The marine wildlife of the Ballestas Islands is truly breathtaking — it’s almost hard to believe until you see it with your own eyes. Home to sea lions, seabirds, and Humboldt penguins, this natural paradise offers an un
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
The marine wildlife of the Ballestas Islands is truly breathtaking — it’s almost hard to believe until you see it with your own eyes. Home to sea lions, seabirds, and Humboldt penguins, this natural paradise offers an unforgettable encounter with Peru’s coastal biodiversity. Your trip also features a visit to the Julio C. Tello Site Museum, where you can explore the ancient Paracas civilization through unique textiles, pottery, and archaeological discoveries from the area. The nearby Paracas National Reserve is equally stunning — a surreal landscape where golden deserts meet the deep blue Pacific Ocean, creating one of the most beautiful sceneries on the Peruvian coast. This experience is perfect for nature and wildlife lovers seeking awe-inspiring views and unforgettable memories. Book now and experience the magic of Paracas and the Ballestas Islands!
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
After picking you up from Lima, we’ll travel to Paracas, where you’ll board a speedboat to the Ballestas Islands Reserve, a protected area rich in marine life. Here, you’ll observe sea lions, seabirds, and even adorable Humboldt penguins in their natural habitat. On the way, marvel at the mysterious Candelabro Geoglyph, an enormous figure etched into the desert sand by the ancient Paracas civilization around 2,000 B.C. — a fascinating symbol whose meaning remains unsolved to this day.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Museo De Sitio Julio C Tello De Paracas
You will discover the Julio C. Tello Site Museum, where you can learn about the fascinating Paracas culture, one of the oldest civilizations on the Peruvian coast. The museum exhibits ancient textiles, ceramics, and archaeological remains found in the Paracas area, providing a deeper understanding of the region’s rich history and heritage.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Paracas National Reserve
After your tour around the islands, your expert guide will explain the fascinating formation of the coastal desert and its unique ecosystem. You’ll also have the opportunity to admire the landscapes where migratory birds stop along their journey. The highlight of this visit is the breathtaking contrast between the golden desert and the deep blue ocean, creating some of the most spectacular scenery on Peru’s southern coast. After this unforgettable experience, we’ll return to Lima City and drop you off safely at 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 Tours
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






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
- $125 to $195
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Lima Highlights Tours, who run 5 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 70.7.
See everything Lima Highlights Tours runsWhy this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Paracas National Reserve & Ballestas Islands Tour (Private): questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Lima.
How much does Paracas National Reserve & Ballestas Islands Tour (Private) cost?
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Prices start at $125 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 Paracas National Reserve & Ballestas Islands Tour (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 Paracas National Reserve & Ballestas Islands Tour (Private) worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 10 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 Paracas National Reserve & Ballestas Islands Tour (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 Paracas National Reserve & Ballestas Islands Tour (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 Paracas National Reserve & Ballestas Islands Tour (Private)?
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Around 4 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 Paracas National Reserve & Ballestas Islands Tour (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 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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