About the ride from Lima to Paracas
The bustling city of Lima is a place everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Apart from its many natural and man-made attractions, the capital city of Peru happens to be a launching pad for the many other adventures this magnificent country has to offer. One of the experiences you definitely don’t want to miss is a trip from Lima to Paracas.
Paracas is a coastal town well-known for its natural wonders. From its mysterious prehistoric geoglyphs, to spectacular wildlife sanctuaries, this place has all the ingredients for an epic adventure. Its beaches are pretty spectacular, too, making it well worth visiting even if you’re not the adventurous type
Located 160 miles (257 km) south of Lima, Paracas is a place you can explore on a daily trip (as long as you get an early start). To make the journey, you’ll have a couple of options.
Number one, you can hop on one of several direct bus lines. Lima to Paracas bus lines boast as many as 19 departure times, giving you tons of flexibility to plan your outing. Buses to Paracas are also pretty affordable, making them the preferred option with tourists.
Another way to go from Lima to Paracas is by car. There are multiple car rental companies in the capital. We recommend that you get yours from one of the bigger operators if you want a well-maintained vehicle.
What to see when traveling from Lima to Paracas
The road from Lima to Paracas will take you along Peru’s Pacific coast. After conquering Lima’s traffic jams, you’ll be off to the races via the Carretera Panamericana Sur (South Pan-American Highway).
For the most part, you’ll be navigating desert-like terrain, so you’ll often find yourself peering to the right, and the expansive blues of the Pacific ocean. Sometimes, the ocean will be out of sight, but if you’re driving, it’s just as well - eyes on the road! Speaking of roads, the highway is well-maintained, despite Peru’s reputation for less-than-ideal roads.
After a couple of hours, the scenery starts to brighten up with more and more natural greenery starting to pop up. If you’re going by car, you can make a stop at one of the beaches in the Cerro Azul District.
Alternatively, you can drive a little longer and check out the Casa Hacienda San José near Chincha Alta. The storied colonial mansion-turned hotel is a 17th century relic where you can learn about Afro-Peruvian culture, and even explore elaborate escape tunnels.
As you make your way into Paracas, you’ll quickly realize just how special this place is. Seamlessly joining ocean with the desert, the landscape offers a pretty unique blend of colors and textures. If you’re into photography, you’re really going to love this place!
Affectionately named Peru’s Mini Galapagos, the Ballestas Islands are home to one of the world's largest seabird sanctuaries, as well as huge numbers of penguins and sea lions! And then there’s the island’s famous Paracas Candelabra, a mysterious geoglyph created by who-knows-who, as if to mark the place as ‘special’.
Once you’ve explored the beauties of Paracas, you can head over to the nearby town of Ica. Here, you can feast your eyes on the Huacachina Lagoon, a fairytale-like oasis in the middle of the desert. Seriously, if you’re looking to make pictures you’ll brag about later, this is the place to be.
And if you’re up for tasting one of Peru’s world famous vintages, pay a visit to one of the many local Pisco vineyards – you won’t regret it!
How to Get from Lima to Paracas
Taking a bus
If you’re looking for an easy and affordable way to get from Lima to Paracas, look no further than getting a bus. There are 3 operators to choose from: Peru Bus, Cruz del Sur, and Oltursa. Between them, they offer 19 departure time options, which makes planning your trip a real breeze.
Each offers a different set of amenities spread across the Economy, 130 Reclining Seats, 160 Reclining Seats, and Tourist options. A ride on the $17 entry-level Economy bus from Peru Bus offers A/C, toilets, reclining seats, a TV, as well as snacks.
The mid-range Tourist and 160 Reclining Seats Oltursa buses offer A/C, toilets, reclining seats, and snacks, plus WiFi, and have English speaking staff, which is very convenient. Tickets for the Oltursa buses are $21 for the Tourist option and $27 for the 160 Reclining Seats one.
And then there’s the top of the range Cruz del Sur with its 130 and 160 Reclining Seats options. These buses boast all the amenities the other two operators offer, plus blankets to keep you warm and chargers for your phone. The prices for the two Cruz del Sur buses are $23 and $28, respectively.
Taking a car
Going from Lima to Paracas by car is undoubtedly a more flexible way of traveling between the two cities. You get to do things at your own pace, and explore (or not) exactly the attractions you want. But things aren’t as simple as just that.
Car rentals in Lima typically range between $20 and $40 for a small car. If you’d prefer to get an SUV, expect to pay double the price. And that doesn’t cover insurance, which some companies require.
Gasoline prices in Peru hover around $3.80 per gallon, which is not a deal-breaker, but still something you should consider.
