Boarding at El Chaco
Registration, safety briefing and life-jacket fitting before the cruise.
30 min
Ballestas Islands + Costa Rica Oasis Buggy & Sandboarding
Ocean and desert ★★★★★5.0
Experience two contrasting landscapes in one trip. Cruise from El Chaco past the Candelabro to the Ballestas Islands and observe rock formations, seabirds and sea lions from a responsible distance.
After a break, exchange the ocean for the desert. A professional driver takes you across the California Desert dunes in a tubular buggy toward Costa Rica Oasis, with scenic stops and recreational sandboarding adapted to your comfort.
General information
Start: central hotel or confirmed point in Paracas
End: Paracas
Duration: approximately 5 hours
Activity level: moderate
Experiences: boat, buggy and sandboarding
Service: shared
Wildlife: sightings not guaranteed
Languages: Spanish and English, depending on departure
What to expect
Candelabro and Ballestas Islands
Panoramic stop at the Candelabro followed by a cruise around the islands for wildlife watching. There is no landing.
1 h 40 min
Break in Paracas
Free time to rest and purchase a snack before the desert activity.
30 min
Tubular buggy and sandboarding
Ride with a professional driver across the dunes, stop for views and try recreational sandboarding seated or lying down.
1 h 30 min
Costa Rica Oasis
Time to enjoy the oasis landscape and take photographs. Water activities depend on local conditions and operator availability.
30 min
Return to Paracas
Buggy ride back and transfer to the confirmed finishing point.
20 min
What you should know
Recommended items
- Passport or identity document
- Windbreaker and comfortable clothing
- Closed-toe shoes
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Bandana for sand and dust
- Water in a reusable bottle
- Protection for camera or phone
Safety and conservation
Follow all crew and driver instructions. Never feed wildlife, leave no waste and sandboard only in designated areas. This activity is not recommended for travelers with recent back, neck or joint injuries without medical clearance.
Experience conditions
Order and timing may change with sea conditions, group availability and desert conditions. Maritime authorities may suspend the cruise for safety.
Fees: confirm whether protected-area and port fees are included in your selected rate.
Ballestas: wildlife watching takes place without landing.
Buggy: the tubular vehicle is driven by a professional.
Sandboarding: participate according to your fitness and instructor guidance.
Included
- Ballestas Islands boat trip.
- Guide during the cruise.
- Life jacket.
- Tubular buggy ride with driver.
- Board for recreational sandboarding.
- Local transfers stated in the itinerary.
Not included
- SERNANP and port fees unless confirmed in writing.
- Food and drinks.
- Kayaking or optional oasis activities.
- Transfers from Pisco, Ica or Lima.
- Tips and personal expenses.
Location
Paracas, Peru
Ballestas and Costa Rica Oasis FAQs
How long is the tour?
Approximately five hours, although transition times may vary.
Do guests drive the buggy?
No. A professional driver operates the tubular buggy.
Do I need sandboarding experience?
No. It is recreational and basic instructions are provided.
Are penguin sightings guaranteed?
No. Wildlife is free-ranging and sightings vary daily.
Are fees included?
This depends on the confirmed commercial option; check your voucher before payment.
Reviews
5.0
70 reviews
Distribution of displayed reviews
5 stars
5
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Google selects these reviews by relevance. You can sort or filter them here.
Rene is very passionate about the history of the places. He knows many histories of the places and the local culture.
View on Google Maps
Hi! I'm Maribel from Argentina. What can I say about our amazing experience in Cusco! It was incredible! I traveled there in October to celebrate my birthday. Words can't describe the wonderful experience we had! Thank you, Lost in Peru, for providing everything we agreed upon, and much more! A company to hire without hesitation! We paid for our tour, including accommodation, all covered by the company. Congratulations and may you continue to grow! I will definitely contact you again to plan my return trip to Peru! See you soon! Greetings from Argentina! Sending you kisses! Maria, Melissa, Ana, and Maribel
View on Google Maps
I feel incredibly fortunate and grateful to have connected with such a wonderful company as Lost in Peru, with its amazing people. From the very first contact, over 3,000 km away, they arranged our entire stay, accommodations, transfers, guided tours, and much more, with remarkable kindness. And as if that weren't enough, they welcomed us and said goodbye with beautiful gifts. THANK YOU!! Highly recommended, without a doubt. Tupananchiskama
View on Google Maps
Voy a recomendarlos siempre! Fue una experiencia maravillosa viajar a Perú con Lost in Perú. Estuvieron atentos todo momento, puntuales, en cada detalle y respondiendo todas las consultas...gracias por hacer de nuestro viaje, un viaje inolvidable...
View on Google Maps
I highly recommend Lost in Peru!!! I want to thank everyone, especially Bertha and Alonso, for their attention during those 10 days of the tour!!! Also, thank you for the gift!!! I'm so happy to have visited Peru!!! Lost in Peru...thank you so much for everything!!! 🥰❤️🇦🇷
View on Google Maps
