Paracas

After the 2007 quake, Paracas quickly leapfrogged Pisco as the most important tourist hub on the Southern Coast. Several major coastal resorts from big-name chains like Doubletree and Libertador (now part of Starwood) have since opened, and others quickly followed. The small-town feel and cluster of petite inns and restaurants around a central fishing pier are still there, though for the passing tourist the exploring options have quadrupled. Apart from being the launching point for trips in the Paracas National Reserve and Islas Ballestas, this is a good base for pisco-tasting adventures, dune-buggy riding near Ica, and trips to the Nazca Lines.