Your stay — Antares Paracas
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The Property — Antares Paracas
A functional three-star with a swimming pool and sea views, Antares Paracas sits a few blocks from the waterfront. The lobby is tiled, cool, and modest — front desk staff are professional but not fawning. It works best for budget-conscious travellers who want a clean bed and a pool after a day of sandboarding or boat trips to the Ballestas Islands. You are not here for the room; you are here for the desert coast.
Chronicles of Ica
Paracas was little more than a fishing village until the 1960s, when the Pan-American Highway and domestic tourism reached this stretch of coast. The town grew around the Paracas National Reserve, established in 1975 to protect the Humboldt Current's rich marine ecosystem. Architecturally, it remains low-rise and utilitarian — stucco buildings, a few beachfront hotels, dusty streets. Today Paracas is Peru's short-break beach destination, known for the Ballestas Islands (a cheaper alternative to the Galápagos) and the Paracas Candelabra geoglyph carved into the hillside. Its identity leans heavily on wildlife viewing, wind sports, and seafood ceviche.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ica guide →Best months
December to March — warmest sea temperatures and reliably sunny days, though crowds spike around New Year and Easter.
Peak / festival surge
January and February are the busiest months, driven by Peruvian summer school holidays and foreign tourists avoiding Lima's grey winter. Hotel prices at Antares Paracas typically rise 20–30% above shoulder-season rates.
Budget shoulder season
April and November offer cooler but pleasant weather, cheaper rooms, and far fewer tourists. The sea breeze is strong but the sun still shines most afternoons.
Weather & packing
Paracas is a coastal desert — cold Humboldt Current means a sudden fog or wind chill even on a sunny day. Pack a windproof jacket and a sun hat, and always bring a warm layer for boat trips.
Live City Briefing — Ica
- Dune buggy and sandboarding tours at the nearby Huacachina oasis remain popular; book ahead in July as it is a busy month for domestic tourism.
- Paracas National Reserve entrance fees are now 11 soles (about £2.30) for foreigners — cash only at the gate, no card machines.
- Sea conditions vary; July can bring the garúa (coastal fog) in the mornings, clearing by midday. Boat tours to the Ballestas Islands still run but check wind forecasts.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Antares Paracas, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request upper floors on the side facing away from Avenida Paracas (the main road). These rooms get less street rumble and catch the coastal breeze.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of ground-floor rooms near the lobby or restaurant — thin walls and early breakfast prep noise. Also skip rooms facing the main street directly; trucks and mototaxis start at 5am.
Best views
Sea-view rooms on the upper floors looking west over the bay. The address on Ica's coastal strip means side angles get partial ocean views; main street rooms see only asphalt.
Quietest floors
Third and fourth floors. The hotel is low-rise (3-4 storeys typical for Paracas), so top floor avoids footstep noise from above, and being off the ground reduces street-level clatter.
🔊 Noise notes
Avenida Paracas carries tourist buses, colectivos, and delivery trucks from 6am. The hotel's central location puts a bar across the street that plays music until midnight on weekends. Also: wind can rattle loose windows on exposed sides.
Insider tips
Parking is on-street or in a small lot behind the hotel — arrive before 4pm to grab a spot. Ask for a room on the restaurant-opposite side when booking; they often accommodate if you mention noise concerns.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Antares Paracas
Free for all guests; speed around 15 Mbps down; no login or password fanfare – just a network key from reception.
One lift serves all three guest floors; stairwell also available.
No digital newsstand; a few physical Spanish-language papers in the lobby. No heritage quirks.
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop allowed from 09:00. Late checkout until 14:00 costs 50 PEN; after 14:00 charged a full night.
Free for all guests at reception during your stay; no charge for day-use.
Step-free entrance and lift; wheelchair-accessible room available on ground floor. No grab bars in standard bathrooms.
Free on-site parking for guests; about 50 spaces, first-come first-served. No EV charging. Nearest public car park is 300 m away (Estacionamiento Municipal Paracas), 5 PEN per hour or 30 PEN overnight.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; incidental hold of 200 PEN per night at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia Cristiana Pentecostés del Perú - Movimiento Misionero Mundial (184 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Evangélica Peruana (309 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Salón del Reino de los Testigos de Jehová (330 m · ~4 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Museo de Historia Paracas — 409 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 477 m · ~6 min walk
Willy — 462 m · ~6 min walk
Pacifico Minimarket — 365 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Exchange at banks or official exchange houses in Ica city centre; rates at Lima airport are poor. Avoid tourist bureaux.
Credit cards accepted in most hotels and mid-range restaurants in Ica; cash needed for market stalls, colectivos, and small eateries.
Not expected but appreciated: 5-10% in restaurants for good service, round up taxi fares, small change for hotel staff who help with bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Basic café con leche or instant coffee at a local bakery: about 2-3 soles.
Menu del día (set lunch) at a small restaurant: one course, drink, and dessert for 8-12 soles.
Arroz con pollo or lomo saltado at a local eatery: 10-15 soles for a main.
Ceviche stalls or anticuchos (grilled skewers) near Plaza de Armas or the central market, especially evenings.
Supermercados like Metro or Plaza Vea are common in Ica city; smaller bodegas everywhere.
The central market (Mercado de Abastos) has basic clothing and textiles at low prices; no high-street chains of note.
Colectivos (shared minibuses) within city cost about 1 sol per ride; taxis start around 4-5 soles. Airport transfers: taxi into Ica ~15-20 soles from the small local airport (wait for a fixed-price taxi or use a ride app if available).
Eat at market stalls or menu del día places instead of tourist-oriented restaurants. Use colectivos instead of taxis for short hops. Haggle firmly but fairly at markets and with street vendors.
Good to know — Ica
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.41 · PEN
Emergency Contacts
IcaFor general assistance in Ica, call the tourism police at (056) 222-831. The local hospital is Hospital Regional de Ica, Av. Abelardo Quiñones s/n, phone (056) 231-145.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Ica, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Antares Paracas
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 477 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Willy — 462 m · ~6 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) → Ica bus terminal
💡 Book the 'VIP' seat for extra legroom. The bus drops you at Ica terminal, then take a colectivo (10 soles) to Hotel Hacienda Cantayo.
Ica bus terminal → Hotel Hacienda Cantayo Spa & Resort
💡 Bolt is cheaper than Uber in Ica—typically 18–22 soles. Catch one from the terminal exit, not the main road where drivers overcharge. Cash works best.
Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) → Hotel Hacienda Cantayo Spa & Resort, Ica
💡 Agencies at arrivals quote 300–350 soles. Haggle hard and confirm the price includes tolls and waiting time. Official green taxis are safer than unmarked cars.
Ica city centre (Av. Grau) → Hotel Hacienda Cantayo Spa & Resort
💡 Colectivos run along Av. Grau towards Huacachina. Hail one with 'Cantayo' written on the windscreen. They fill fast—expect to stand if it's busy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Antares Paracas?
Request upper floors on the side facing away from Avenida Paracas (the main road). These rooms get less street rumble and catch the coastal breeze.
Which rooms should I avoid at Antares Paracas?
Steer clear of ground-floor rooms near the lobby or restaurant — thin walls and early breakfast prep noise. Also skip rooms facing the main street directly; trucks and mototaxis start at 5am.
Is Antares Paracas noisy?
Avenida Paracas carries tourist buses, colectivos, and delivery trucks from 6am. The hotel's central location puts a bar across the street that plays music until midnight on weekends. Also: wind can rattle loose windows on exposed sides.
Which rooms have the best views at Antares Paracas?
Sea-view rooms on the upper floors looking west over the bay. The address on Ica's coastal strip means side angles get partial ocean views; main street rooms see only asphalt.
What are insider tips for staying at Antares Paracas?
Parking is on-street or in a small lot behind the hotel — arrive before 4pm to grab a spot. Ask for a room on the restaurant-opposite side when booking; they often accommodate if you mention noise concerns.
What time is check-in at Antares Paracas?
Check-in at Antares Paracas is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Antares Paracas have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; speed around 15 Mbps down; no login or password fanfare – just a network key from reception.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Antares Paracas?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Antares Paracas?
Menu del día (set lunch) at a small restaurant: one course, drink, and dessert for 8-12 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Antares Paracas?
Colectivos (shared minibuses) within city cost about 1 sol per ride; taxis start around 4-5 soles. Airport transfers: taxi into Ica ~15-20 soles from the small local airport (wait for a fixed-price taxi or use a ride app if available).
When is the best time to visit Ica?
December to March — warmest sea temperatures and reliably sunny days, though crowds spike around New Year and Easter.
Top Attractions in Ica
💡 Grab a ceviche from one of the stalls on the side streets for about 10 soles. Avoid the overpriced churros from touts near the cathedral. Best visited late afternoon when the heat drops and people start gathering.
💡 Bring swimwear if you want to paddle; the water is murky but locals swim. Avoid the boat rental—overpriced and the pond is tiny. Best at dawn when the tour groups haven't arrived yet.
💡 Skip the overpriced cafes near the car park. Walk around to the far side for quieter spots and better photo angles. Go early in the morning or just before sunset for cooler sand and fewer people.
💡 Entrance costs about 8 soles (roughly £1.60). Bring a phrasebook or a translation app as there are no English labels. Allow 45 minutes to an hour; it's not huge. Closed on Mondays.
💡 The basic tour costs 15 soles and includes three samples. Go for the 'Premium' tour (25 soles) if you want to taste their older piscos—it's worth it, but book ahead. They sell good-value bottles at the shop, much cheaper than in restaurants.