Daily costs per person in USD. Paracas is excellent value — the boat tour ($15-20) is the main expense, and everything else is inexpensive by Peruvian coastal standards.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: PEN (Sol) (1 USD ≈ 3.7 PEN; USD accepted by tour boats)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $8–15 | $30–60 | — | Dorm → private room on malecón |
| Food | $8–15 | $20–40 | — | Market → malecón ceviche restaurants |
| Ballestas Boat Tour | $15–18 | $20–25 | — | Dock booking → hotel booking |
| Reserve Entry | $3 | $3 | — | 11 soles; required for peninsula |
| Reserve Transport | $4–6 | $12–18 | — | Bike rental → remis tour |
| Transport In/Out | $5–10 | $10–20 | — | Bus from Lima/Nazca |
| Daily Total | $35–55 | $80–150 | — | Budget with boat tour included |
Money-saving tips
Book boat tours at the dock
The Ballestas Islands boat tour costs $15-20 from dock kiosks. Hotels charge $25-30 for the same boats. Walk to the port and book direct the evening before for the 8am departure.
Eat ceviche for lunch not dinner
Ceviche is always freshest at lunch when the day's catch arrives. A full lunch ceviche set at a malecón restaurant costs 25-40 soles ($7-11) — significantly cheaper than dinner at the same quality.
Combine with Nazca on one trip
Paracas and Nazca are both on the Panamericana, 2.5 hours apart. Combining both stops on a Lima–Cusco journey avoids extra bus costs and makes the most of southern Peru's coastal desert attractions.
Rent a bike for the reserve
Bike rental for reserve exploring costs 15-20 soles for a half-day versus 40-60 soles for a taxi tour. The main reserve road is flat and paved. Carry 2 litres of water — the desert sun and wind dehydrate quickly.
