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Paracas Peru Cruise Port Guide
Location:
As cruise ships are not able to dock here you will be tendered ashore.
Printable map to take along.
Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers
Monthly Climate Averages for Paracas Peru
Sightseeing:
Paracas is spa, a peninsula, a bay, a pre-Inca Culture and a National Reserve. Its amazing for bird watchers and hikers.
The desert and the sea come together in spectacular landscapes in
Paracas, in the department of Ica, just a few hours south from Lima.
The cliffs that fringe the beaches are teeming with life, millions
of birds that live here year-round, and thousands of others that
fly from the northern hemisphere and from further south, ranging
from guano birds to Humboldt penguins.
Boats departure from the port to Islas Ballestas (Ballesta Islands),
giving visitors a chance to gaze at the sea lion colonies, millions
of birds and you'll see the famous three-pronged Candelabro (Candelabrum),
carved into the sand with a similar technique to the Nazca Lines, although
possibly of a different origin: theories range from pirates marking
a treasure hiding place to soldiers fighting for Latin-American independence
from Spain.
By car, or buggies, you can visit the terrestrial area of Paracas National Reserve and enjoy the desert dunes. Back on the traditional circuit, the road leads to the on-site museum and the ruins of the burial grounds of the Paracas culture (700 BC), whose weaving skills have been admired the world over. A trail leads down to a protected bay, the natural habitat of flamingoes, the scarlet-and-white birds that inspired the colors of the Peruvian flag. They are not to be disturbed. Further south lie the striking natural rock formations of the Catedral (Cathedral) and Mendieta.
Tours Excursions Transportation:
Taxis are divided between "formal" taxis, painted and marked as such, and informal ones, that are just cars with a windshield sticker that says "Taxi". The last ones are better left to the locals, especially if you don't speak Spanish. Apart from the more upscale radio taxi (also the more expensive ones), the fare is not fixed or metered, but it is negotiated with the driver before getting into the vehicle.
It pays to compare your cruise line excursions:
Tours etc. offered by GetYourGuide and by Viator.
Nearby Places:
Paracas Peninsula On this peninsula, on a sandy hillside, the enigmatic figure of the chandelier is found. This chandelier, with its trident form, belongs to pre-Inca cultures. It is yet to be determined its meaning. The best way to appreciate this figure is from a boat in a tour to Islas Ballestas. These boats normally offer rides to visit the Paracas Natural Reserve as well as the Islas Ballestas, which allow an excellent view of the Candelabro (Chandelier).
Shopping and Food
Currency:
The currency of Peru is the nuevo sol. Travelers checks or credit cards are usual. ATMs are available in big cities, up-market hotels and touristic areas.
Communication:
In tourist centers like Cusco and Machu Picchu or in high class hotels, English is spoken. If you intend to visit other sites, especially in the countryside, you'll need Spanish.
Emergency numbers in Peru are 011 / 5114. In Lima ring 105.
Cafes which offer free WiFi for customers, called in Peru cabinas públicas, grow like mushrooms in Peru.
Opening Hours and Holidays:
But most of companies are open from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm. Shopping centers and stores are open from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm; however some companies now stay open 24 hours a day.
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