The National Reserve of Paracas, located at one of the most deserted points of the Peruvian coast; in the department of Ica, in Pisco, possesses such a huge quantity of diversity at species at flora and fauna that it easily turns into a proposal very tentative to any person willing to be creditor of know and verify personally how wonderful it truly is.
The reserve takes part of the ‘Sistema Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado Peruano’ – SINANPE and the rector organism is the ‘Instituto Nacional de Recursos Naturales’ also known as INRENA
This place, is the only maritime area protected of Peru, recognized as itself on September 25th of 1975.
There, live some sea wolves, Humboldt penguins, dolphins, flamencos or parihuanas and more other birds. Its protection is necessary for the conservation of ecosystems and unique marine communities. Finding in this natural space, 216 species of birds, over 180 species of fish and 20 of cetaceans. Besides, some studies demonstrate that it also exists an awesome variety of 200 water plants like the ‘yuyos’, sea lettuce, etc.
It’s important to mention that the reserve also has cultural and historical values that are evidenced in the different 114 archeological sites registered. Receiving this way, the impressive amount of more than 100 thousand visits each year.
One of the principal tourist destinies of this place, is ‘Islas Ballestas’, the same that are located just outside the reserve (due to the activity of extraction of guano)
This archipelago is integrated for a joint of guaneras islands: ‘Ballestas Norte’, ‘Ballestas Centro’ and ‘Ballestas Sur’; counting with 2 surrounding marines milles and 17197 ha.
At the reserve, some ecological processes are presented, like the nutrients’ flourishing and the reproduction of the diverse marine species and guaneras that keep the biodiversity of the place, as well as its wealth.
In Paracas, which its name means ‘lluvia de arena’, one of the main economical extractive activities is the fishing; the same that is divided in two types: the industrial and artisanal. This last one is seasonal and realized according the seasons. Other activity realized at the National Reserve of Paracas is the tourism,
At the guided tour by the Reserve of Paracas, some beautiful beaches can be observed and also the archeological attraction of the ‘Candelabro’; impressive hieroglyph made by the nature, located at the northern of the bay, with an extension of 120 meters, also known as ‘Tres Cruces’ or ‘Trident’.
To just a few kilometers of the bay, we can find the heart of the visited city, Pisco. The same in which are located all the kinds of institutions governmentalists and that on august 15th of 2007 at 18:40 hrs., got devastated by a terrible earthquake in an scale of 7.9 degrees. It was one of the most violent earth movements happened in Peru in the last years; leaving thousands of mortal lost as well as many material disasters that aren’t completely repaired yet.
A clear example the damages made to the infrastructure is the destruction of the Church of ‘El Señor de Luren’ that succumbed at the moment of the seismic movement just like the sportive coliseum of that city and the Church of ‘San Clemente’, which got completely destructed while a Mass was celebrated.
Another thing that collapsed as well were the telephonic and mobile nets, blocking to many citizens to be able to get to inform the news to their relatives.
Almost an 80% of the city of Pisco was destroyed by this huge natural catastrophe.
The reserve takes part of the ‘Sistema Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado Peruano’ – SINANPE and the rector organism is the ‘Instituto Nacional de Recursos Naturales’ also known as INRENA
This place, is the only maritime area protected of Peru, recognized as itself on September 25th of 1975.
There, live some sea wolves, Humboldt penguins, dolphins, flamencos or parihuanas and more other birds. Its protection is necessary for the conservation of ecosystems and unique marine communities. Finding in this natural space, 216 species of birds, over 180 species of fish and 20 of cetaceans. Besides, some studies demonstrate that it also exists an awesome variety of 200 water plants like the ‘yuyos’, sea lettuce, etc.
It’s important to mention that the reserve also has cultural and historical values that are evidenced in the different 114 archeological sites registered. Receiving this way, the impressive amount of more than 100 thousand visits each year.
One of the principal tourist destinies of this place, is ‘Islas Ballestas’, the same that are located just outside the reserve (due to the activity of extraction of guano)
This archipelago is integrated for a joint of guaneras islands: ‘Ballestas Norte’, ‘Ballestas Centro’ and ‘Ballestas Sur’; counting with 2 surrounding marines milles and 17197 ha.
At the reserve, some ecological processes are presented, like the nutrients’ flourishing and the reproduction of the diverse marine species and guaneras that keep the biodiversity of the place, as well as its wealth.
In Paracas, which its name means ‘lluvia de arena’, one of the main economical extractive activities is the fishing; the same that is divided in two types: the industrial and artisanal. This last one is seasonal and realized according the seasons. Other activity realized at the National Reserve of Paracas is the tourism,
At the guided tour by the Reserve of Paracas, some beautiful beaches can be observed and also the archeological attraction of the ‘Candelabro’; impressive hieroglyph made by the nature, located at the northern of the bay, with an extension of 120 meters, also known as ‘Tres Cruces’ or ‘Trident’.
To just a few kilometers of the bay, we can find the heart of the visited city, Pisco. The same in which are located all the kinds of institutions governmentalists and that on august 15th of 2007 at 18:40 hrs., got devastated by a terrible earthquake in an scale of 7.9 degrees. It was one of the most violent earth movements happened in Peru in the last years; leaving thousands of mortal lost as well as many material disasters that aren’t completely repaired yet.
A clear example the damages made to the infrastructure is the destruction of the Church of ‘El Señor de Luren’ that succumbed at the moment of the seismic movement just like the sportive coliseum of that city and the Church of ‘San Clemente’, which got completely destructed while a Mass was celebrated.
Another thing that collapsed as well were the telephonic and mobile nets, blocking to many citizens to be able to get to inform the news to their relatives.
Almost an 80% of the city of Pisco was destroyed by this huge natural catastrophe.
Fortunately, help didn’t take so much time to arrive, being the village ‘pisqueña’ receptors of the humanitarian help valued in almost 40 million dollars from countries like Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Spain, United States, France, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Taiwan, Turkey, the European Union, Uruguay and Venezuela. Also from the Organization of United Nations (ONU)
Unfortunately until the day of today nota ll the afected have been able to receive this help, delaying the opportunities of self-improvement and harming considerably, the tourist aspect.
However, it is one of the zones more visited all over Peru, the National Reserve of Paracas and the ‘Islas Ballestas’. Due to its amazing maritime diversity and its landscapes, every year tourists of different places of countries go to visit it.
That is how all the settlers of the Paracas Bay depend in a certain way of tourism, referring to the economical aspect; from the hotel business to the fishers.
That is the reason why people native from there give a good welcome to every tourist that visits the Bay.
The Islands already mentioned, are property of the Enviornment Ministery, created by the president García in the year 2009.
In this place, we can see a natural shelter for each variety of animals, being some of them found in endanger, like the Humboldt penguin, which has that name because of the place he lives; where there are many maritime species which served as food for the animals that live there. There are too many guano birds, in these places are a lot of guano so people who live in Paracas sell it to another cities or countries; creating enough economical incomes.
Other animals that live in these kinds of places are sea wolves and dolphins. According the different stations and certain we could find then.
Other animals that live in these kinds of places are sea wolves and dolphins. According the different stations and certain we could find then.
On ‘Islas Ballestas’, we find the wonderful ‘Candelabro’, that has eight hundred years of existence and forty-nine cm of depth. According to the most accepted theory, it is said that it was made by astronomers because it points to the south start. This hieroglyph is made of stone, that’s why it will never disappear.
Other of the dances typical of this area is “festejo”, that is all about arm and hip movements; “Alcatraz”, a famous dance in Chincha and Cañete and also the ‘baile de los negritos’, which has been influenced by the African culture.
Another important aspect is the religion, being the celebration of “El Señor de Luren” one of the most important in this place; especially because he is the ‘patrón’ of this city.
His church suffered a lot of damages because of the earthquake. Some people think that it should be destroyed but other think it must be rebuilt, generating lots of controversy. During his day, celebrated in October, many people come from all over the world just to see him.
His church suffered a lot of damages because of the earthquake. Some people think that it should be destroyed but other think it must be rebuilt, generating lots of controversy. During his day, celebrated in October, many people come from all over the world just to see him.
Also, in Chincha, there are many devotes of another religious character: “Melchorita”, who isn’t recognized by the Catholic Church, but considered by people who live in Chincha as a saint because of the miracles she has given. There is like a temple in Chincha where you can see all her things. Many people go and visit this place.
Finally, the gastronomy; in Ica, there are a big variety of food and drinks. The most important drink in Ica is wine because the best vineyards of Peru are located there.
It is this way how Gastronomy provides many economical incomes in Paracas. It is important to mention that all the restaurants in front of the National Reserve that got completely distracted by the last earthquake occurred on August of 2007, have been already repaired and rebuilt.
As our seaboard is so varied and rich in marine species, a great diversity of them use fish as primary ingredient. Giving the guests the opportunity to taste much seafood made with caballa, chita, bonito, caballa, lenguado. Another representative dishes are the ‘Carapulcra’, the ‘Sopa seca’, ‘Picante de pallares” and “manchapecho”.
Finally, the gastronomy; in Ica, there are a big variety of food and drinks. The most important drink in Ica is wine because the best vineyards of Peru are located there.
It is this way how Gastronomy provides many economical incomes in Paracas. It is important to mention that all the restaurants in front of the National Reserve that got completely distracted by the last earthquake occurred on August of 2007, have been already repaired and rebuilt.
As our seaboard is so varied and rich in marine species, a great diversity of them use fish as primary ingredient. Giving the guests the opportunity to taste much seafood made with caballa, chita, bonito, caballa, lenguado. Another representative dishes are the ‘Carapulcra’, the ‘Sopa seca’, ‘Picante de pallares” and “manchapecho”.
We also have many desserts, which are a delight, leaving to anyone that goes to this place with the intention of tourism and learn more about the traditions and culture of Paracas, with the desire to try some good "tejas" principally made by pecans, blancmange, figs or lemon comfit. They can also try the "dulce de pallar", typical local dish that has as main ingredients parboiled ‘pallares’, cinnamon, vanilla and sesame seeds.
This place has a big variety of natural products; vegetables and animals, such as avocados, tomatoes, “pallares”, pecans, watermelons, mango, bananas, guarangos (carob), plums, dates and figs.
This place has a big variety of natural products; vegetables and animals, such as avocados, tomatoes, “pallares”, pecans, watermelons, mango, bananas, guarangos (carob), plums, dates and figs.
Regarding to drinks, this coastal ground has much to offer, such as carob, a sweet and creamy drink made with pisco, a sauce made from the fruit of ‘guarangos’, eggs and milk. It also offers the ‘cachina’ made of fermented grape juice, very sweet and pleasant.
And of course, the delicious Peruvian pisco and Peruvian wine that are well known flag beverages of our country.
We had the great joy of being able to go to Aldo Navarro Vineyard, which jealously guards the secret of his best wines and piscos, since 1897. Here we see the great trade they have because they are naturally made, without chemicals or substances.
And of course, the delicious Peruvian pisco and Peruvian wine that are well known flag beverages of our country.
We had the great joy of being able to go to Aldo Navarro Vineyard, which jealously guards the secret of his best wines and piscos, since 1897. Here we see the great trade they have because they are naturally made, without chemicals or substances.
We recommend you to visit the restaurant "El Chorito" and "Brisa Marina", located on the Malecon del Chaco Paracas, if your intention is not only to taste local foods, but also assorted international menu.
In conclusion, there are some points we would like emphasize is the fact that some people do not take a lot of importance in the care of the Paracas National Reserve, because they simply are not aware how much they must appreciate the wonderful diversity of marine species and birds that place has to offer. Also do not realize that the main causes of ecological disequilibrium is because human being, which is evidenced and confirmed by our surveys; showing that only about 33% is conscious of it.
Also neither the government itself is a great help to preserve the Paracas National Reserve. Still very few institutions / companies really show an interest for preserve this ecological reserve. For that, we believe fervently that the authorities must take responsibility to make action about it.
Having so much to offer, in various aspects; handmade, tourism, culture, gastronomy and others, Paracas is becoming in a tourist destination known around the world as well as visited, and it is our duty like humans and Peruvians, to take care of this paradise, in the service and care of men.
Otherwise, we will make it appear like if people wish to be credited with what Antonio Raimondi once wisely said: "Peru is a beggar sitting on a bench of gold"
