Paracas is a coastal town in Peru's Ica region, where the Pacific Ocean meets a stark coastal desert. It is a nature and adventure destination centred on the Paracas National Reserve, a vast protected area of desert landscapes, dramatic cliffs, beaches and rich marine ecosystems. Travellers can take boat trips around the Ballestas Islands to see sea lions, Humboldt penguins and abundant seabirds, while the reserve offers spectacular viewpoints, the red-sand shores of Playa Roja, and opportunities for hiking, cycling, wildlife watching, kitesurfing and windsurfing. The mysterious Candelabra geoglyph adds a cultural dimension and is visible from the sea en route to the islands. Paracas' striking combination of desert scenery, marine wildlife, watersports and rugged coastline gives it a distinctive character on Peru's southern coast.