Paracas National Reserve ATV Riding: 2-Hour Buggy Adventure

You operate the buggy through desert, red cliffs and two beaches in a single afternoon

A 2-hour guided Mini Buggy ride through Paracas National Reserve where you drive your own vehicle across desert terrain, red-sand beaches and coastal viewpoints. The guide speaks Spanish. Helmets and protective lenses are provided. Minimum age is 18 years. The activity is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy or cardiovascular concerns.

Step-by-step itinerary

Mini Buggy tour in Paracas Reserve

• Drive Mini Buggy in reserve
• Visit Playa Roja red sands
• Explore Playa Yumaque beach
• See viewpoint of Itsmo

The experience

You arrive with a free afternoon and want to move through the reserve under your own control instead of watching from a passenger seat. The Mini Buggy puts you behind the wheel for two hours, navigating the Paracas landscape at your own pace with a guide leading the route. The terrain shifts between open desert and coastal sand, so the driving itself (steering through soft ground, reading the landscape, feeling the sea breeze) is the core of what you do here, not a backdrop to sightseeing stops.

The route covers three named sites. Playa Yumaque stretches roughly two kilometers along the coast, a beach historically used for hand-harvesting seaweed. You drive its length and stop to walk it. The viewpoint of Itsmo sits at the reserve's highest point, where you can see across most of the protected area and spot white salt deposits dotting the terrain. Playa Roja closes the loop: a striking expanse of red and gray sand carved by deep chasms, the color coming from iron oxide in the stone. Each stop is brief enough that the driving time dominates the day, not the standing-still time.

Helmets and cross lenses (protective eyewear) come with the rental. The guide communicates in Spanish throughout. You'll need a valid driver's license and must be at least 18 years old to operate the buggy.

What’s included

• Mini Buggy rental for two hours.
• helmets and protective cross lenses.
• Spanish-speaking guide leading the route.
• stops at Playa Yumaque, the Itsmo viewpoint and Playa Roja.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00

Book up to5h before

GroupUp to 30 · max 2 per booking

Live guideSpanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 3.16

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Infinity Routes Travel Peru

Is this one for you?Small groups or solo drivers work equally well here since you're operating your own vehicle. The two-hour window suits a free afternoon between other plans, and the Spanish-language guide means you'll need basic comfort with that language or travel with someone who speaks it.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What is Playa Roja and why does the sand look red?

Playa Roja is a beach within Paracas National Reserve known for its striking red and gray sand, colored by iron oxide in the stone and carved by deep chasms running through it. It's one of three stops on the route.

Can I drive the Mini Buggy if I've never done this before?

Yes. The activity suits all physical fitness levels, and the guide leads the route so you follow a set path. You do need a valid driver's license and must be at least 18 years old.

What's included in the two hours?

Driving time, the guide's route through the reserve, stops at Playa Yumaque, the Itsmo viewpoint and Playa Roja, helmets and cross lenses. The guide speaks Spanish.

How long is the drive at Playa Yumaque?

Playa Yumaque stretches roughly two kilometers along the coast. You drive its length as part of the route and have time to stop and walk the beach.

Is this activity safe if I have a medical condition?

The activity is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy or poor cardiovascular health due to the terrain and physical demands of operating the buggy. Consult your doctor if you have concerns about your fitness for this activity.