Ballestas Islands, Red Beach & Lagunillas: A Relaxed Full-Day Tour
Not everyone wants dune buggies and an 11-hour marathon. The ballestas islands red beach lagunillas tour is the calmer way to see the best of Paracas — a morning boat trip to the wildlife of the islands, then an unhurried afternoon among the desert cliffs, the red sand of Playa Roja and the sheltered cove of Lagunillas, with hotel pickup and reserve tickets already included. At around $37 it is excellent value for a full day, and the included extras make it one of the most hassle-free options here. Weigh it against every Ballestas Islands tour from Paracas, then read the full breakdown below.
About This Activity
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Comfortable pickup and drop-off in Paracas
Paracas Reserve entry and maritime taxes covered
Candelabra, sea lions, penguins and boobies
The famous red sand and a sheltered fishing cove
Bilingual guide in English and Spanish
Check Live Availability & Prices
With hotel pickup and reserve tickets bundled into a sub-$40 full day, this is one of the easiest, best-value combos in Paracas. Check the calendar for open morning starts.
Why Book This Relaxed Combo Tour
The full Paracas experience, stress-free
Run by Sierra Travel, this tour is built for travelers who want to see everything without the rush or the extras. The morning boat trip covers the Ballestas Islands wildlife and the Candelabra; the afternoon takes you into the Paracas National Reserve for the cliffs, Red Beach and Lagunillas.
What sets it apart is what is already included: hotel pickup and drop-off, the Paracas Reserve entrance tickets and the maritime taxes. There is very little to organise or pay on the day, which is exactly what many first-time visitors want.
Red Beach and Lagunillas, the scenic highlights
The reserve portion ends with two of its most photogenic spots. Playa Roja, or Red Beach, gets its colour from reddish rock eroding into the sand — a genuinely rare sight. Lagunillas is a sheltered cove dotted with simple seafood restaurants, a peaceful place to pause before the drive back.
Together they are the reason this tour is named for them.
What You'll See on This Tour
Wildlife and desert, in one relaxed day
This combo balances the marine life of the islands with the scenery of the reserve:
- The Candelabro geoglyph carved into the Paracas Peninsula
- South American sea lions basking on the rocks
- Humboldt penguins diving for fish along the cliffs
- Pelicans and blue-footed boobies over the islands
- The desert landscapes and cliffs of the Paracas National Reserve
- Playa Roja — the famous red-sand beach
- Lagunillas — a sheltered cove with seaside restaurants
What Is Included — and What You Should Still Bring
Included in the tour price
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Paracas - Speedboat tour of the Ballestas Islands - Guided visit to the Paracas National Reserve - Paracas Reserve entrance tickets - Maritime taxes - Stops at Red Beach and Lagunillas Beach - Bilingual guide and life vest for the boat - Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
Not included — plan for these
- Lunch — there are restaurants at Lagunillas, but meals are at your own cost - The small dock tax at the pier (a few soles) - A windproof jacket for the breezy boat ride - Snacks and water for the desert portion - Gratuity for your guide and driver
What Happens on This Tour — Step by Step
Important Things to Know Before You Go
What to bring
- A windproof jacket for the breezy morning boat ride - Comfortable shoes for the reserve viewpoints - Sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen for the exposed desert - A camera — the wildlife and Red Beach are highlights - Snacks and water for the afternoon - Cash for lunch at Lagunillas and the dock tax
Not allowed, and who should skip it
Feeding the animals is not permitted, there are no landings on the islands, and fossils and shells must stay in the reserve.
The morning boat ride means the tour is not ideal for travelers who are prone to seasickness, and the speedboat bounces over the swell, so it is best avoided by heavily pregnant travelers or anyone with serious back problems. The reserve stops involve short walks on uneven ground.
Where You'll Explore — Playa Roja & Lagunillas
Who Is This Tour For?
Ideal for
- Travelers who want the full Paracas experience without the rush - First-timers who value hotel pickup and tickets already included - Couples and families who prefer a relaxed pace over adrenaline - Photographers drawn to the red beach and the wildlife - Anyone who wants a full day for excellent value (around $37)
Not ideal for
- Travelers chasing adrenaline — the Huacachina adventure tour adds dune buggies - Anyone who suffers badly from seasickness without medication - Heavily pregnant travelers or those with serious back problems - Visitors with only a couple of hours — the boat-only tour fits that better
What is included in the Ballestas, Red Beach and Lagunillas tour?
Hotel pickup and drop-off, the Ballestas Islands boat tour, the guided reserve visit, the Paracas Reserve entrance tickets and the maritime taxes are all included — only lunch and the small dock tax are extra. Compare it with the other combos.
How much does this full-day tour cost?
It starts at around $37 per person, which is strong value for a full day with pickup and reserve tickets included. See how the other Paracas tours are priced.
What makes Red Beach red?
Playa Roja gets its colour from reddish granodiorite rock eroding from the surrounding cliffs and mixing into the sand — a rare phenomenon and one of the highlights of the reserve. Browse all the reserve tours here.
Is there time to eat on the tour?
Yes — there is a stop at Lagunillas, a cove with simple seafood restaurants, where you can buy lunch (not included). Bring some cash. Check live availability.
Is this tour suitable if I get seasick?
The morning boat ride bounces over the swell, so it is not ideal if you are very prone to seasickness — take a tablet before boarding if needed, or consider that mornings are the calmest. See all the tour options.
What Travelers Say
A really easy, relaxed day. We were picked up from our hotel, saw the sea lions and penguins on the boat, then spent the afternoon at the red beach and Lagunillas. Having the tickets already included made it completely stress-free. Great value.
Loved that everything was sorted in advance — pickup, boat, reserve tickets. The Candelabra and the wildlife in the morning were brilliant, and Playa Roja is even more striking in person. A perfect full day in Paracas.
We did this instead of the long Huacachina day and were glad of the slower pace. The penguins were a highlight on the boat, and lunch by the water at Lagunillas was lovely. Excellent value for a full day.