Full Review: Paracas & Huacachina Oasis Tour From Lima

Okay, so you’re thinking about escaping Lima for a day and checking out Paracas and Huacachina? That sounds like an adventure, right? Basically, I decided to give this full-day tour a shot, and I figured I’d share my experience, what worked, and, well, what could’ve been a little better. To be honest, it’s almost a whirlwind, but hey, you get a pretty nice taste of Peru’s coastal beauty and desert thrills all in one go.

Early Start: Getting Picked Up in Lima

Usually, these tours start super early, I mean, really early. My pickup was at, like, 5 in the morning. Just keep in mind that traffic in Lima can be quite unpredictable, so yeah, a little bit of waiting around is fairly normal. That early start is actually key though, as you’ll be heading south of Lima to Paracas.

The ride can be very long, too. Basically, think about four hours in a bus or van. Some tours, they offer breakfast onboard, which is very cool, while others, like your, might just give you the view. Just try to catch some sleep; you’ll seriously need it for all the stuff that’s coming up. That long trip gives you a little preview, though, as the city starts turning into desert views.

Paracas: Ballestas Islands Boat Tour

As a matter of fact, Paracas is, in my opinion, mainly known for the Ballestas Islands, which some folks even call “Poor Man’s Galapagos.” Sounds interesting, right? After you get there, you’re immediately transferred to the dock to, like, catch a speedboat tour. Keep your eyes open! Very quickly, you’re seeing tons of wildlife – seals, penguins, and loads of seabirds, is that something that appeals?

Actually, the boat ride is, at times, rather bumpy, yet totally worth it for the views. Seriously, the sheer number of animals and the interesting rock formations are just impressive. Your guide will probably tell you about the history, and give you fun facts, still, just soaking it all in is great, too. Don’t forget your sunscreen and a jacket, since the ocean breeze is rather strong.

Lunch in Paracas

Before you move on to Huacachina, most tours, I believe, include lunch in Paracas. Some places have, like, seafood, since you’re right by the ocean. My tour brought me to a place where you got a buffet of Peruvian eats. That seems pretty appealing, doesn’t it? It gives you, like, a chance to recharge and test out flavors you won’t always find everywhere.

Typically, don’t expect, you know, fancy dining or anything. Still, that food, it’s usually very good, and it’s, in that case, very welcome after that boat ride. Keep a look out for ceviche; after all, you are in Peru!

Huacachina Oasis: Desert Adventure

As I was saying, Huacachina is what some people picture when they imagine an oasis. You know, palm trees around a little lagoon surrounded by very high sand dunes? Once there, the thing most people do is go dune buggy riding and sandboarding, so too you’ll probably want to get signed up as soon as you get there.

I’ll say that the dune buggy ride, sometimes, feels something akin to a rollercoaster, really tearing across the dunes. Then, they usually take you to different spots to, like, try sandboarding. Standing up can be fairly tricky for some people, but even if you sit down and slide, that is just a whole lot of fun.

The sunset from the top of those dunes, anyway, is basically breathtaking. Don’t forget to snap loads of pictures! After the sun goes down, it’s very hard to believe that you pack up and, you know, begin the long ride back to Lima.

What to Bring: Essentials for the Tour

Before you actually go, make sure you’ve got a few things to, well, make that day easier. As I was saying, sunscreen is just important, especially for both the boat tour and the desert. Shades will help, also. Oh, and a hat.

Bringing water is just, like, smart too. Actually, staying hydrated is rather essential, given that you’ll be in the sun most of the day. If, like your camera, don’t forget the extra batteries. You’ll want, naturally, to take photos of the animals, dunes, and that sunset. Some cash might be worthwhile to have. So, think about getting, I’m thinking, souvenirs or snacks.

Things That Could Be Better

As a matter of fact, overall, I had a pretty solid time, some parts weren’t perfect. That long bus ride, that really tires you out, so maybe the tour, could do to find buses that have better seats, which sounds great, doesn’t it? That timing can be sometimes tight, specifically in Paracas. So, in that case, having a little extra time to look at the town, that would really add something to the overall experience.

You might want to, for the food, give the tourists more options. Some people don’t eat seafood, or have dietary limits, and you know, the current choices, could really be limiting for some folks. Oh, and finally, that tour guides? Sometimes, it seems they focus on speaking mainly in Spanish, when the group speaks other languages too.

Was the tour to Paracas and Huacachina from Lima worth the money?

As I was saying, if you are short on time and are based in Lima, and you’d love a coastal escape and a desert adventure, I think so. If you realize the trip can be rather busy and not really restful, then it’s a fabulous snapshot of Peru’s different landscapes. Just going from those Ballestas Islands, seeing wildlife up close, going on that crazy buggy ride, and then there’s that majestic desert sunset: That, that’s a nice day! For, what is a fast look into a unique section of Peru, I believe that this full-day tour packs in a lot, with a great balance between nature and thrill, and ends up worth your travel time.