Windsurfing in the Paracas National Preserve

Post by Vicky

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In addition to its beauty and biodiversity, the Peruvian sea affords travelers the opportunity to engage in the most exciting adventure sports, such as windsurfing. And one of the spots that offer optimum conditions to do so is the Paracas National Preserve.

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The Wind and Waves of Paracas

Also known as sail boarding or boardsailing, windsurfing involves balancing yourself in the ocean on a board similar to that used by surfboarders, with the distinction being that the board includes a sail on which windsurfers support themselves and with which they manipulate the craft in the direction of the wind.

Precisely because of the strength of its wind currents, the Paracas National Preserve – from the Quechuan words “para” and “acco,” which mean sandstorm – is ideal for lovers of windsurfing. The winds in the area, which are called Paracan Winds, can blow at a speed of up to 12 kilometers an hour, reaching their maximum velocity in the month of August. Travelers in quest of a windsurfing adventure should bear this fact in mind.

The Paracas National Preserve is located between the provinces of Pisco and Ica in the southern region of the same name. Between desert and sea is an expanse of 335,000 hectares. In the maritime section you can see diverse species of fauna, such as migratory birds, sea lions and Humboldt penguins.

To get from Lima to this unique locale you can take a bus that runs south along the Pan American Highway to where it branches off onto the Pisco-Punta Pejerrey Highway heading for the pier of El Chaco. This is where windsurfers meet up to begin the tour to the preserve. (The journey takes about six hours.)

It’s advisable to arrange the trip through a tourist agency such as Inkas Cusco, which organizes outings that last four hours. The price includes tickets, transfers, lodging, food and windsurfing instructors’ fees. Usually, these instructors arrive from Lima with their own equipment, which comprises a sail, mast, mast attachment, board, boom to grasp the sail and footstraps.

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Where to Stay

A few blocks from Lima’s Plaza de Armas is the Real Hotel Ica (Los Maestros Avenue s/n), which boasts, in addition to private parking and Internet access, a bar; disco; karaoke; pools; and game rooms with foosball, pool and ping pong.

Another option near the city center is the Hotel Sol de Ica, on Lima Street 265. Hotel amenities include fax machines, wireless Internet access, safes, a business center and conference rooms.

To sample typical dishes of the region – among which carapulcra, sopa seca, picante de pallares, and such desserts as tejas and chapanas stand out – you must visit the El Portón Café Olé restaurant (two blocks down Loreto Street, 200 meters from the Plaza de Armas). The style of the restaurant resembles that of the Ican countryside, but you don’t have to leave the city to enjoy the cuisine.

A Few Suggestions

With Ica’s sunny climate and strong winds, sunscreen is a must, as are damp towels to wash your face and a windbreaker for nighttime outings.

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