The Paracas National Reserve, located near the city of Ica, is a sanctuary that brings together two cornerstones of Peru: it is home to the only red sand beach in South America and one of just five in the world. It is also the site of Mendieta, where liberator José de San Martín, a hero of the country’s independence, first set foot.
In addition to its historical significance, the reserve is a natural haven where visitors can enjoy adventure sports, birdwatching, and swimming in turquoise waters. Covering 335,000 hectares, Paracas National Reserve is home to up to 200 bird species as well as numerous marine species. Its scenic beauty is breathtaking, particularly at Red Beach, a must-see stop on any visit. Here, the sand and sea appear darker due to the presence of a magmatic rock known as “pink granodiorite.” There are only five such beaches in the world—located in Morocco, Hawaii, two in Greece, and this one in Peru.
The reserve was designated a site of regional importance in 1991 because of its role as a gathering place for a wide variety of Nearctic coastal birds, some with declining populations. It marks the southernmost Pacific range of the Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri). The landscape features a desert coastline bordering a highly productive ocean, with sandy beaches and rocky tidal zones.
Dominant bird species include the Sanderling (Calidris alba), Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri), Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla), and Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola). Paracas National Reserve is the most important coastal site in Peru for many mammals, including two species of seals, 160 species of birds, and countless fish and mollusks. It is also home to large colonies of guano birds.
The nutrient-rich waters of the reserve sustain an impressive variety of both land and marine life, including whales, orcas, dolphins, Humboldt penguins, and leatherback turtles.
