Peru, being a large country, has an incredible biodiversity. You will find the Amazon in the east end, the Sierra in the center, and the coast in the west end, giving way to the Pacific Ocean. In this form, the Inca country has one of the world’s largest coastal strips! The Peru desert coast has an average length of 3,080 kilometers long. Its width is variable, ranging from 15 kilometers in Arequipa (south) to 180 kilometers in Piura (north).
With such an extension, the diversity of landscapes, flora, and fauna is truly amazing. For example, the Paracas Reserve on the country’s southern coast is a great example. For this reason, the Machu Travel Peru experts want to bring you the best information about this zone. Besides its charms, Paracas Peru tours, and much more!
Discover the fascinating coast of Peru and its jewelry, the Paracas Reserve
Peru desert coast
This fascinating arid zone has an average temperature of 67°F, varying between 59.9°F (July) and 73.04°F (March). That means hot and humid weather most of the year. This fact makes it possible to enjoy outdoor activities such as beach visits, sunbathing, and adventure sports on the northern Peru coast. In addition, this area is as close as possible to the Caribbean and its beaches.
Otherwise, the southern Peru coast has lower temperatures and, therefore, colder but equally enjoyable beaches. For this comparison, we use Lima as a central point.
1. Main cities of the Peruvian coast
Peru’s coastal strip is home to 11 major Peruvian cities, starting from north to south:
- Tumbes: The northernmost city in the country offers a unique tropical climate, borders Ecuador, and has lush white sandy beaches.
- Piura: The north city is famous for its hotel resorts, gastronomy, and sunny days.
- Lambayeque: This city is the cradle of La Marinera, the official dance of Peru. This is the host of many pre-Incas cultures like Chan Chan and Chavin, among others. Of course, its warm climate is characterized by the region.
- La Libertad: This city presents sunny and clear days most of the year, and it’s the most industrially developed city in the region.
In the center of the Peruvian territory, we find the following cities:
- Ancash: This city is part highlands and part coast. Its Sierra is beautiful with the snow sports that you can practice in its imposing Cordillera Blanca.
- Callao: The independent province close to Lima hosts the country’s main international airport. It has a warm and humid weather.
- Lima: The capital of Peru offers malls, European-style squares, streets, restaurants, and a mild and misty climate ideal for exploring its rich culture.
- Ica: This city hosts the only natural oasis in South America, surrounded by rolling, large dunes. Buggy sands and sandboarding are practiced in this area.
Finally, the south coast presents the cities:
- Arequipa: This city is at the foot of a volcano that is very close to the sea. It has part of the Sierra, and its colonial architecture is beautiful and made with white volcanic rock, which is why it is called “The White City“. It is also the second most economically important city in Peru.
- Moquegua: It has fertile valleys, agricultural production, and a lovely subtropical climate.
- Tacna: Also called the Heroic City, it has a desert climate and is an economically important city.
2. The Garua
Lima, the Peruvian capital, along with other coastal cities such as Trujillo, has a unique weather pattern marked by the “garúa”, a fine mist that envelops the city in the winter season (June to September), maintaining moderate temperatures between 12 °C and 19 °C (54 °F to 66 °F).
However, summer offers sunny days and comfortable temperatures, perfect for enjoying Peru’s beaches and abundant seafood.
In the south, the climate becomes drier, and temperatures stabilize. Cities such as Arequipa, Ica, and Tacna provide a dry climate throughout the year, with hot days and cool nights. This area is renowned for its stunning desert scenery, vineyards, and abundant cultural history.
Paracas National Reserve
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Just south of Lima, you will travel along Peru´s desert coast, a stretch of coastline that is bear and barren but beautiful simultaneously—featuring many wonderful ancient attractions and some nice beach resorts. The area also features the naturally spectacular Paracas National Reserve, a heaven for wildlife like no other.
The Paracas National Reserve was created in 1975 and encompasses 335,000 hectares (827,800 acres) of coastal desert, some islands, and surrounding marine ecosystems. This protected area is home to representative samples of Peru’s coastal and marine ecosystems, as well as the largest concentration of seabirds in the world.
The reserve features 74 known species of plants that survive in this dry and arid desert. In contrast, the Ballestas Islands, inside the reserve, concentrate the majority of fauna in Paracas. 216 species of birds, 16 types of mammals, 10 types of reptiles, and around 190 species of fish. The marine area covers 3350 square meters, with 65 % sea and 35 % rock and land.
The town of Paracas, around 20 kilometers from Pisco, is the place to stay when in the area as it features many hotels from backpackers to luxury properties, all waterfront, and is a great place to relax. Most feature swimming pools to enjoy the warm weather.
Tours are available, and the feature stops at desert cliffs, where you can see the ocean, the desert, and the forest. The reserve has beaches, which are home to thousands of different bird species. At Laguna Beach, you can buy a tasty seafood lunch.
1. Ballestas Islands
From the town of Pisco, around 4 hours from Lima, you can take a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands, located within the Paracas National Reserve. The Islands are famous for their rocky outcrops, which are more rocky than islands, and the thousands of birds that call them home. Some of the species that you will see are the Blue Footed Bobby and the Guano birds. However, what most people come to see are the Humboldt Penguins and the Fur seals and Sea Lions that pass their days lying in the sun. Most tours are around 2 hours long, so be prepared for the noise from the sea lions that will approach your boat. You are not allowed to leave the boat and walk around the islands; this is illegal as it disturbs the wildlife.
On your tour to the Ballestas islands, you will observe the Candelabra, which is a large geoglyph drawn on the side of the hill. The only way to observe the drawing is by boat, as the land around the drawing is closed to protect the figure. It is unsure whom and why it is drawn into the side of the hill, and the scientists are unsure if it is related to the famous Nazca Lines.
2. Ica and the Huacachina
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Further along the coast and inland, in the Peruvian desert, is the city of Ica, famous for its wine production, Pisco, the national drink of Peru, and the Huacahina oasis.
Usually, you pass through this city on your way to Lima, but just outside the city is the Huacachina oasis, a must-see. This oasis has a lake and many different extreme sports on the large sand dunes that cover the area. Dune buggy tours are available for a small fee, and sandboarding is a popular pastime.
The oasis has restaurants for lunch and hotels of different categories for overnight stays. From the city of Ica, take a cab or moto taxi for a few soles and enjoy a day of entertainment; remember that the sun is powerful, so bring your hat and plenty of water.
3. Nazca Lines
Further south of Ica is the town of Nazca. You can arrive in Nazca from Lima by bus, which is around 6 hours, from Arequipa in the south, which is around 12 hours by bus, or from Cusco in the south of Peru in the high Andes, which is around 19 hours by bus.
The town of Nazca is where you will be able to observe the mysterious Nazca Lines. So, what is the best way to see the Nazca lines? You may ask, there are only two ways available to view the lines, and the first and the best way to see them is by small plane. These tours can be expensive, but there are many rewards.
The ride generally takes around 30 minutes, but at this time, you will see all the figures etched on the desert floor. Some of the figures include monkeys, lizards, spiders, and astronauts. Scientists are no closer to discovering who or why the lines were drawn on the desert floor. By the way, the best way to see the Nazca lines is overflying them.
How to get there
The first step is to get to El Chaco, the main coastal town of Paracas. The southern part of the reserve can be accessed through the city of Ica.
By bus: regular first-class bus service connects Paracas with other tourist destinations besides Lima. Well-known companies are Excluciva, Cruz del Sur, and Oltursa. They also provide services to Arequipa, Cusco, and Ica.
- Lima to Paracas 3.5 hrs.
- Ica to Paracas 2 Hrs.
- Arequipa to Paracas 12 Hrs.
- Cusco to Paracas 20 Hrs.
Best time to visit it
What is the best time to go to Peru and Paracas, you may ask? The Paracas National Reserve is a year-round tourist attraction. The high season occurs in the summer, from December to February when the days are warm and clear. Every July 28th and 29th, patriotic holidays, the inhabitants of Lima vacation in Paracas, in addition to the summer.
Best activities
The best activities that you can realize in Paracas Reserve are:
- Boat ride through the rocky islets of Ballestas Islands to observe their fantastic wildlife. Sea lions, seals, and Humbolt penguins, among others.
- Sand buggy ride over the undulating dunes around the Huacachina Oasis. Experience the adrenaline and speed by getting on one of these special sand buggies.
- Practice sandboarding around the Huacachina Oasis and surf over dunes in the middle of the Ica desert.
- Overfly the mysterious Nazca Lines in a light aircraft and discover the means of Hundreds of mysterious images.
“TRAVELING – IT LEAVES YOU SPEECHLESS, THEN TURNS YOU INTO A STORYTELLER”
The Peru Desert Coast you must put on your list for your Peru holidays. With Machu Travel Peru‘s experts, all the area has to offer, and the rest of Peru features ancient cultures, stunning natural beauty, amazing Amazon rainforest, and ruins beyond compare; book your Peru adventure today.
Peru has so much to offer, and it can be hard to know where to start. With many years of experience in the tourism sector, Machu Travel Peru is happy to help with anything regarding your trip to Machu Picchu and any tours around it. Make your Machu Picchu experience an unforgettable one!
