Last weekend, I made an escape to Paracas and the Islas Ballestas (Ballestas Islands), south of Lima. I decided to treat myself and stay at the spectacular Hotel Paracas, part of the Starwood Luxury Collection. I didn't regret it. The place was amazing, with two heated pools, activities such as surfboarding and kayaking, and tours of the Ballestas Islands.
Most people travel to Paracas specifically for the islands. In Peru they are referred to as the 'poor man's' Galapagos because there is a ton of wildlife but at a fraction of the cost to visit the world famous Galapagos. To get to the Islas Ballestas, you take a 30-45 minute fast-speed boat out into the ocean, passing the "El Calendabro," a huge drawing in the desert facing the ocean very similar to the Nazca lines.
Once arriving, the amount of wildlife you observe is stunning. Everywhere you look, you see penguins, sea lions, dolphins, pelicans, exotic fish and much more. The area is protected by the Peruvian government so you are not allowed to leave the boat, but upon arriving back on shore, there are a bunch of restaurants all serving up the local fish, crabs, and other tasty creatures from the sea.
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