Paracas Peru 2-Day Itinerary: The Perfect Weekend Escape

Planning the perfect getaway? This Paracas Peru 2-day itinerary will help you make the most of your visit to this stunning coastal destination. From breathtaking landscapes to incredible wildlife, Paracas is a must-see on any Peru travel list.

In just two days, you can explore the famous Ballestas Islands, often called the "Galápagos of Peru," and marvel at the beauty of Paracas National Reserve. Whether you're spotting sea lions and penguins or admiring the desert meeting the sea, every moment here is unforgettable.

This itinerary will guide you through the top experiences in Paracas, helping you plan your days with the best activities and must-see spots. Get ready for an exciting and unforgettable adventure!

Paracas 2-Day Itinerary: What to Expect

Paracas is a popular day trip from Lima, but we truly believe it is worth at least a few days! With 2 full days you can truly enjoy not only the main highlights of Paracas, but you can also see some of the nearby hidden gems.

Here are some of the things you'll experience on our Paracas 2-day itinerary we've created:

• Boat ride to Islas Ballestas
• Exploring Paracas National Reserve
• Enjoying delicious seafood
• Visiting a nearby pisco winery
• Joining a water or adventure activity
• Taking trips to nearby attractions

There are a variety of ways to organize your Paracas 2-day itinerary, whether you are looking to take sign up for tours, or explore on your own.

In this guide we're going to give you a variety of Paracas 2-day itineraries to choose from, with various options to play around with, and alternatives for whatever type of traveler you are.

Paracas 2-Day Itinerary: The Perfect Weekend Getaway

So, are you ready for the perfect weekend getaway? We're going to give you 3 different Paracas 2-day itinerary ideas, depending on what kind of traveler you are. 

Day 1 will look the same for all travelers, covering the top attractions in Paracas, while day 2 will differ depending on who you are traveling with/what kind of trip you are looking to have.

Paracas 2-Day Itinerary - Day 1

Like we said, day 1 will pretty much look the same for everyone. We are making this itinerary to start your activities at 8, but we will also show alternatives for those that want to start their day a bit slower.

⏰ 7:00 am - 8:00 am Get ready for a day of fun

Your first activity for your Paracas 2-day itinerary starts in just an hour! We'd recommend waking up at 7:00 so you have enough time to get ready and have a small breakfast to start your day.

🚤 8:00 am - 9:30/10:00 am Boat ride to Islas Ballestas

Islas Ballestas is Paracas' true claim to fame, and one of the top reasons that people take the trip down to Paracas from Lima.

Known as the "Galapagos of Peru" the Ballestas Islands can only be visited by boat rides, that leave at 8:00, 9:00, and 10:00 AM from the main pier. We'd recommend booking ahead and being ready early for your pick up time or to walk to the meeting spot.

If you'd like to have a bit of a later start to your day, you can get one of the later tours, but truthfully the best time to go for ideal weather and eliminating waiting times is by going first thing in the morning.

🏖 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Enjoy Paracas Beach

After the boat drops you back off it'll still be early enough to enjoy Paracas before it gets too chaotic.

Take a stroll along the malecon, browse the shops, or simply go for a swim. Paracas Beach isn't one of the best beaches in the area, but it's still worth checking out since it's the center of it all.

While at the beach you can also participate in one of the activities like renting a pedal boat or canoe, going jet skiing, or enjoying the inflatable aquatic park.

🐠 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Have a Seafood lunch

After some fun in the sun, you'll definitely be ready for a bite to eat! Well, Paracas is full of great restaurants, and most of them have incredible seafood lunch specials.

Weather you want to sit at one of the trendy restaurants along the malecon (promenade), or want to head a few streets over for some of the most budget-friendly options, grabbing a lunch menu is essential while in Paracas.

Most lunch menus are between 20-40 soles ($5-$10.50) and include a starter of either ceviche or tiraditos (fresh strips of marinated fish), and come with a main course such as seafood rice or a full fried fish dish.

☀️ 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm Visit Paracas National Reserve

After lunch it's time to explore the second most important attraction in Paracas, which is Paracas National Reserve.

The reserve is a large protected area just south of Paracas town that has beautiful beaches and desert landscapes to explore.

If you have a car you can easily go on your own, or you can rent a bike, hire a taxi, or join a tour. Here are some of the options you can enjoy inside Paracas National Reserve:

• Take a 2-hour buggy tour
• Go on a 1-hour paragliding excursion
• Join a trekking golden shadows tour

🏎 Buggy Tours at Paracas National Reserve

These tours start from Paracas town, and leave at 9:00, 11:00, 1:00, and 3:00 for a 2-hour adventure exploring the park with a group. If you want to see the highlights of Paracas National Reserve in an exciting way, then this is an excellent option.

🪂 Paragliding Tours at Paracas National Reserve

Paragliding tours are 1 hour, and can be joined every hour on the hour from 9 am to 3 pm.

🌅 Golden Shadows Tour at Paracas National Reserve

The golden shadows tour is a trekking adventure to some of the coolest formations in Paracas National Reserve. Tours are 3-4 hours, typically starting at 3 pm and finishing with the most stunning sunset in Paracas.

Whether you decide to relax at the beach with your family or explore the reserve with an exciting adventure, Paracas National Reserve is a must for your Paracas 2-day itinerary.

🚿 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Get ready for dinner

After a beautiful sunset it's time to head back to the hotel and reset. Take a nap, shower, and just get yourself ready for a nice diner.

🍴 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm Dinner

Finish off your day by heading to a local restaurant and having a nice meal before another fun day tomorrow!

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Paracas 2-Day Itinerary - Day 2

Now that you've experienced the two main highlights of Paracas on day 1, day 2 is time to explore some of other fun places nearby. 

There are a ton of different options for your Paracas 2-day itinerary, but we're going to make a few different itineraries to choose from depending on what type of traveler you are.

Here are the three different options for a Paracas 2-day itinerary:

• Paracas 2-Day Itinerary for Adventurers
• Paracas 2-Day Itinerary for History Lovers
• Paracas 2-Day Itinerary for Families

Day 2 of our Paracas 2-Day Itinerary for Adventurers

Are you looking for a bit of excitement and adventure while in Paracas? Well, day 2 is going to be full of fun, in one of the most unique nearby destinations!

☕️ Morning - Get Ready for a Day of Adventure

Today we're going to have a slow morning, since the day will be full of adrenaline. Wake up at your leisure, have some breakfast, and get ready for a tour to Huacachina Oasis. 

If you want a full day of adventure though, you can also opt for an early paragliding ride! You can either sign up for the 9:00 AM flight, or the 10:00 AM flight.

🏜 11:30 AM/12:00 PM - 5:30/6:00 PM Day Trip to Huacachina

Huacachina is an awesome desert oasis that lie just an hour and a half south of Paracas, making it an ideal day trip. You can either go on your own, or you can sign up for one of the tours below:

Tours to Huacachina include a visit to the oasis, an exhilarating buggy ride with sandboarding, and a local guide to help you explore this unique destination in the best way possible.

Want to learn more about Huacachina? Check out some of our Huacachina travel guides that we have!

📖 Huacachina Reads:

• The 20 Top Things to Do in Huacachina, Peru's Epic Oasis
• Huacachina Dune Buggy Tour Experience: a Must-Do in Peru's Desert Oasis
• Huacachina 1-Day Itinerary: The Perfect Day in Peru's Desert Oasis

🚿 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Get Ready for Dinner

After a fun day in Peru's epic oasis, head back to your hotel and decompress a bit. Get ready for your final night in Paracas!

🍴 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM Dinner

Head out for the perfect meal in Paracas for a nice dinner. We suggest walking along the boardwalk and grabbing a seat by the water for the perfect way to end your Paracas 2-day itinerary.

Day 2 of our Paracas 2-Day Itinerary for History Lovers

Paracas is home to a ton of great nearby historical sites! If you're looking to dive into the ancient stories of this region, then you're get ready for a day packed with educational spots around Paracas.

There are two main areas you can explore for unique sites, which are just east of Paracas, and down the coast. If you're looking for a more relaxed day, you can opt to just do one of these areas, and have a slow morning, or take it easy in the afternoon.

Here is what day 2 of your Paracas itinerary will look like if you're a history lover:

🍳 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Get Ready for the Day + Breakfast

Today we're going to explore some of the most historically significant areas of Paracas! Get up and have a nice breakfast to fuel you for an exciting and educational day.

🚐 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Take a Tour to Tambo Colorado

Today we're going to start with a trip to Tambo Colorado! Just an hour away, this archaeological site offers a look into Peru’s past, with well-preserved adobe structures and vibrant murals.

This tour leaves at 9, picking you up from your hotel. It includes a local guide to teach you all about the interesting Incan complex, and then drops you back around 1 PM.

Alternatively, you can rent a car and drive there, and you can also combine it with Laguna de Moron, which is another nearby attraction.

🥘 1:00 PM Have Lunch in Paracas Town/by the Beach

If you plan on taking the following tour, grab something super quick to eat, or pack a simple lunch. If you decide to go on your own, you can also have a nice sit down meal and leave closer to 2 pm.

✈️ 1:30 PM/2:00 PM - 3:15 Nazca Line Flight

The Nazca Lines are a true bucket list destination in Peru, and are an excellent day trip from Paracas. Seeing the ancient geoglyphs from a small plane is truly experiencing one of the unique wonders of this region, and is an excellent option for the history and adventure lovers out there.

You can either save time and take this tour at 1:30, coming back around 3:15 with a plane, or your can go on your own by driving and booking a Nazca lines flight with this tour - it has options for 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:30 PM, or 3:00 PM.

If you decide to go on your own, you can also add on some nearby attractions like the Cahuachi Archaeological Site, Cantalloc Aqueducts, and Cañon de los Perdidos.

 3:15 PM - 5:00 PM Relax or Browse the Shops

Take it easy the next few hours - you can either relax at the beach, browse the shops, or simply hang out back at your hotel for a nice and chill afternoon.

 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Enjoy the Sunset

After a fun and educational day, let's go enjoy a beautiful sunset - you can either go to the main beach of Paracas, or do the golden shadows tour if you haven't already done it!

🚿 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Get Ready for Dinner

Head back to your hotel and shower up for dinner time! 

🍴 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM Dinner

Take the opportunity to enjoy your final seafood meal in Paracas. Head over to the seaside and dine along the water for a delicious Peruvian dinner.

Day 2 of our Paracas 2-Day Itinerary for Families

Are you looking to have a fun Paracas 2-day itinerary with your family? Well, now that your first day you saw some of the main highlights, let's take today to enjoy some family-friendly fun in the sun.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Breakfast

Start off your day with a nice breakfast, whether it's at your hotel, or from a nearby restaurant.

10:00 AM - Hang at the Beach

Enjoy your morning at the local beach - it's convenient, relaxing, and a great way to have some family time in the heart of Paracas. You'll also find plenty of shops if you want to grab a souvenir.

 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Play Around at Yaku Park

Located right on the beach, this inflatable water park is perfect for the kids! They'll have 45 minutes to play around on the massive blow-up obstacle course and get some of their energy out.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Lunch 

Now that you've burned some energy, you'll be nice and ready for a delicious lunch! Go ahead and walk along the promenade to have a great seafood lunch that is both affordable and tasty.

 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Enjoy the Beach & Water Activities

Now let's head back to the beach! Whether you want to sunbathe, build sand castles, or do one of the water activities, there are plenty of ways to have a fun-filled beach day with your family.

You can rent a pedal boat, go kayaking, or hop on a jet ski. They can all be found right on the main beach, and most are 40 minutes long.

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Get Ready for Dinner

After a long day in the sun you'll want to head back to your hotel, relax, shower, and get ready for a delicious meal in town.

 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM Dinner

It's your final night in Paracas! What better way to finish it off than by having a nice meal with your family?

We hope you enjoyed whatever Paracas 2-day itinerary you chose!

Top Tours in Paracas

Now you know all of the different options for a Paracas Peru 2-Day Itinerary! Here is a bit of a recap of some of the activities you should book:

 Ballestas Island Boat Tour: Experience the Galapagos of Peru on a morning boat excursion experiencing local wildlife and unique landscapes.

 Paracas National Reserve by ATV: Ride around and explore the top Nature Reserve in a fun and unique way.

 Paragliding at Paracas National Reserve: Soar over Paracas National Reserve on an exhilarating and scenic flight

 Golden Shadows Hiking Tour: Trek along scenic landscapes to catch an incredible sunset.

 Huacachina Day Trip: Ride around the dunes and go sandboarding in a unique desert oasis.

 Pisco Winery Visit: Sample this local specialty at the surrounding vineyards.

 Nazca Lines Flight: Fly over the iconic geoglyphs on an epic day trip.

 Visit to Tambo Colorado: Learn about the history at this great archaeological site. 

So are you ready to experience the ultimate weekend getaway? We hope this Paracas 2-day itinerary has helped you plan your perfect escape. If you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comment section!

Want to learn more about Paracas? Don't miss out on our Complete Paracas Travel Guide, as well as our other Peru travel guides. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for all of our weekly updates and exclusive content.

Ready to start planning the ultimate trip around Peru? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers travel planning services, building you a truly customized itinerary, and finding you unique hotels and activities. Want to learn more? Send us an email for your free consultation today!

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