Beach Hotels in Paracas, Peru

A desert peninsula located within the Pisco Province, Paracas is perched on the southern coast of Peru. Famous for its massive pre-Inca tombs and burial sites, Paracas offers the tranquility of the Pacific and the adventure of the Ballestas. Regardless of what you choose, you’ll find plenty on your vacation from the top Paracas beach hotels.

Known as “the poor man's Galapagos," Paracas isn’t as well-known as other Peruvian destinations like Cuzco or Machu Picchu, but if you want something off-the-beaten path, Paracas checks all the boxes.

Easily accessible from beach hotels in Paracas, the Ballestas Islands are known for large amounts of guano, which were exploited on a large scale in the 19th century by British companies. A natural fertilizer composed of excrement from seabirds and bats, Guano was mined extensively on these islands; some believe that this was one of the reasons why the Inca Empire collapsed (the other being gold). Another popular stop in Paracas is Huacachina, which is known for its sand dunes and windy weather. Five hours outside Lima, this remote natural desert oasis is also home to wineries, wild nightlife, and an idyllic landscape unlike anywhere else in South America. And if you’re an avid snowboarder, you can come here and try your hand at sand boarding or even kiteboarding. Up and down the coast, you’ll find plenty of beachside eateries where you can sample traditional Peruvian fare.

Perhaps Paracas’ most prized tourist attraction, the El Candleabro (Paracas Candelabra), is a prehistoric geoglyph that stands 160 feet tall and can be seen from 12 miles out at sea. The design is carved two feet into the soil and resembles a tree, but many myths surround the true origins that, to this day, remain unsolved.

You don’t have to go far to enjoy some fun in the sun. If you're looking for a little bit of adventure, then you should definitely check out the Paracas National Reserve. There are plenty of things to do there—from dune buggy rides through the sand dunes to snorkeling along the coast—but the highlight of your visit will definitely be the natural beauty of it all. You'll see some truly incredible sights, like endemic birds and sea lions, as well as some incredibly rare plants.

The beaches of Paracas are unique in that it’s where the arid desert meets the Pacific, making for some eclectic landscapes. Located between Playa Lagunillas and Punta Santa Maria, be sure to check out Playa Roja (Red Beach). One of the world’s most colorful beaches, the vivid color is the byproduct of igneous sediment from nearby Punta Santa Maria, which has solidified magma inside. When breaking against the cliffs of Punta Santa Maria, the waves carry away fragments of the reddish rocks. When these settle on the shore, it provides a beautiful contrast to the yellow desert hue of the cliffs. Whether you find yourself lazing under the Peruvian sun, scaling sand dunes, or exploring the Pacific Ocean, the top beach hotels in Paracas won’t disappoint.

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