Ballestas Islands

Often called “the Peruvian Galapagos,” the Ballestas Islands are where savvy travelers can experience wildlife on a budget. Here, on these rocky islets about 90 minutes off the coast of Paracas, hundreds of sea lions lounge on rocks that are covered in thousands of birds, and the cost of visiting is a fraction of the cost of visiting the Galapagos in Ecuador. When approaching the eroded islands by sea, there are so many boobies, cormorants, and penguins resting on the rocky cliffs, the entire island seems to vibrate with the collective fidgeting of feathers. Humboldt penguins are another draw for visiting the Ballestas Islands, and these tuxedo-clad birds can only be found off the coast of Chile and Peru. While motoring out to the guano covered islands, keep an eye out for the Candelabra Geoglyph that’s etched into the hillside. At 595 feet in height, the mysterious, ancient, unexplained symbol can be seen 12 miles out to sea. In addition to the squawking, wriggling wildlife, the Ballestas Islands are known for their sea caves and ruggedly eroded coastline, and offer a day of adventure on the water when visiting southern Peru.

Practical Info

The port of Paracas is 3.5 hours south of Lima and an hour west of Ica. Some travelers will combine the Ballestas Islands with a tour of the famous Nazca Lines, or simply grab some ceviche in Paracas or the neighboring town of Pisco. When visiting the islands, be sure to bring sunscreen and warm clothing to combat the cool ocean breeze.