Islas Ballestas – “Peru’s Mini-Galápagos by the Sea”

#holidayitinerary 📌 Location: Paracas, Peru Known as the "Poor Man’s Galápagos," the Islas Ballestas deliver big on wildlife and coastal drama. I joined a boat tour from Paracas, cruising past rocky arches, sea caves, and colonies of barking sea lions. Hundreds of seabirds—pelicans, boobies, and cormorants—circled overhead. We even spotted Humboldt penguins waddling along the rocks! En route, we passed the mysterious Candelabra geoglyph etched into a sand dune. The trip is short (around 2 hours) but incredibly packed with natural sights. It’s a must-do if you’re traveling the Peruvian coast and want a taste of wild island life without going all the way to the Galápagos.