Paracas National Reserve

Paracas National Reserve

Introduction

The Paracas National Reserve is located 247 kilometers south of Lima, within the province of Ica, and 19 kilometers from the city of Pisco. Covering a total area of 330,000 hectares, it is a famous tourist destination along Peru's Pacific coast. The most fascinating attraction in the reserve is the Ballestas Islands (Islas las Ballestas), which consist of South Island, North Island, Middle Island, and six rocky islets. Among them, North Island is the largest, with an area of 64 hectares and situated 11 kilometers from the coast. It takes about an hour to reach by boat from Paracas Bay. The islands are home to many endangered marine animals and birds, mainly including sea lions, penguins, flamingos, sea turtles, and dolphins. The large number of sea lions is especially spectacular. Some brave sea lions poke their heads around the tour boats, which is very endearing. The higher areas of the islands are a paradise for seabirds, with countless black-and-white birds, including a species of penguin that is unique to the region. The abundant guano on the islands serves as high-quality fertilizer and was one of Peru’s main natural resources developed in the 19th century.

According to archaeologists, Paracas has a history of 5,000 years. On the way from Paracas Bay to the Ballestas Islands, one can see a huge pattern on the slope of a small island that resembles a candlestick or perhaps a cactus tree. Some archaeologists believe it was used to guide ships in ancient times, while others think it may have been created by extraterrestrials. The age of this pattern and its purpose remain an unsolved mystery to this day.

Since being discovered by a French tourist in the 1930s, the number of visitors to Paracas has increased year by year. In recent years, the Peruvian government has paid great attention to the development of tourism resources and has designated Paracas as a national nature reserve. The area receives very little rainfall and enjoys sunshine all year round.

Lima, Peru