Spending weekends in Lima usually means just exploring neighborhoods, visiting museums, and practicing my Spanish at language exchanges. But on one weekend trip outside the capital, I went to Huacachina, and Paracas and had such a memorable time!
In one day, we drove 4 hours away from the city, went on a boat, saw geoglyphs, saw penguins and sea lions, slid down a sand mountain, went sand buggying, and MORE.
Leaving Lima: A Scenic Bus Ride to Paracas
The tour began with a 5 AM bus ride from Lima to Paracas, a drive of about 4 hours along the coast.
About halfway through the drive, we stopped at Panes Don Robert, a roadside bakery known for its artisanal bread baked in a wood-fired oven. There are many roadside restaurants along this route, and most of them are probably excellent. Ours was very good.
Paracas: Sea Lions, Penguins, and Coastal Views
Paracas is a small resort town on Peru’s southern coast, best known for windsurfing. From Paracas, we took a boat ride to the Ballestas Islands, which offers close-up views of sea lions and penguins perched along the cliffs.
Having visited 72 countries, this was my first time seeing penguins in the wild, which made the experience especially exciting!!
The Paracas Candelabra: Peru’s Coastal Mystery
During the boat ride, you’ll also pass the Paracas Candelabra, a massive geoglyph carved into the desert hillside. The symbol is hundreds of years old, but its origin and purpose remain unknown.
Some think it served as a navigational marker for sailors, while others link it to ceremonial or symbolic meanings. Overall, it’s a mystery.
Supporting Local Shops in Paracas
After the boat tour, we stopped at a small gift shop selling souvenirs, locally made chocolates and cookies, and they offered a chocolate tasting. These shops run on tourism – honestly, just buy the thing, especially if its good. I bought some cookies and chocolates for $5 USD and ate them that night. 10/10
I have major regrets about not buying this doll…I want to collect black dolls from around the world but I don’t because of luggage space… woe is me.
Lunch, Tequila, and the Road to Huacachina
From Paracas, we continued south for lunch and a tequila tasting at Restaurant Tres Nietto, which was good and is a main hub for tourists on this route. Next, we headed toward Huacachina, one of Peru’s most famous desert destinations.
Huacachina is a small oasis town surrounded by massive sand dunes, built almost entirely around tourism and sand activities.
Sand Dune Buggying and Desert Adventures
One of the highlights of Huacachina is dune buggying. You climb into a buggy, strap in, and race up and down dunes at surprising speeds.
If your driver is anything like ours, expect sharp turns, steep drops, and plenty of adrenaline. It’s slightly terrifying, and so fun!
At some point you’ll stop at the top of a hill for everyone to slide down. 10/10.
Staying Overnight in Huacachina
While our bus group returned to Lima that evening, we chose to stay overnight in Huacachina. During golden hour, I flew my drone over the oasis to see views of the lagoon, and desert dunes.
The entire area is designed for visitors, but the landscape still feels surreal, especially as the sun sets.
Dinner at Hotel Yan Pallek: History and Hospitality
That evening, we had dinner at Hotel Yan Pallek, a space that functions as both a hotel and a small museum. The food was good, the atmosphere and service was great. Plus there’s dogs and cats on property. The property displays artifacts tied to ancient Incan history, including references to the quipu system.
Returning to Lima: Comfortable and Easy Travel
The next day, we had lunch at Salkantay Café Restaurante before boarding the bus back to Lima. A local ceviche spot that delivered. The bus system was extremely easy to navigate, with comfortable seating, privacy curtains, and a smooth ride.
We arrived at the main bus terminal in Ica for our Cruz Del Sur bus, then continued back to Miraflores bus station in Lima. A very comfortable bus that made me want to ride the bus across the country – which it does!
Final Thoughts on a Weekend Trip from Lima
This weekend trip from Lima showed just how much variety Peru offers in a short amount of time. From penguins and sea lions to desert dunes and ancient history, Paracas and Huacachina make for an unforgettable weekend.
Sometimes the best travel experiences come from short trips.