Paracas - What Would Fodorites Do?
 

We have two options for the start of our Peru trip.

Option 1:
Day 1 - Arrive Lima 10:20PM. Stay overnight in Miraflores.
Day 2 - Explore Lima in the morning, take 2:00PM Cruz del Sur bus to Paracas. Stay overnight in Paracas.
Day 3 - Boat tour of Islas Ballestas. Take afternoon bus to Nazca.

Option 2:
Day 1 - Arrive Lima 10:20PM. Stay overnight in Miraflores.
Day 2 - Explore Lima all day. Stay overnight in Miraflores.
Day 3 - Take 4:15AM Cruz del Sur bus to Paracas. Boat tour of Islas Ballestas. Take afternoon bus to Nazca.

Important to note: We will have an extra day and a half in Lima at the end of our trip.

Not getting up at 3:00AM after a day-long series of flights is very appealing. But from what I'm reading, there's nothing in Paracas except the park and islands.

WWFD? Stay in Paracas or stay in Lima?

If we stay in Paracas, any suggestions on cheaper ($40 range) hotels, restaurants and things to do?

I'd do #1 especially since you have a day in Lima at the end.

Check museum hours/days in Lima. Many are closed Monday, some don't open until 10 am.

Rafael Larco or MALI would be good choices. Save the Plaza de Armas for when you have more time. If your free day in Lima on the return is during the week, I recommend asking your hotel to reserve you for Museo Amano, amazing textiles from the south coast.

Good website for Lima
http://www.limaeasy.com/culture/museums_lima.php

Since you have time on your way back head on down the Gringo
Trail.4 hoursto Paracas/Ballestas 1 hour to Ica 1 hour to Nasca.Best to fly the lines in AM whern very still. Balestas worth the tour Galapagos of Peru penguins seals very nice.
Paracas is a small beach town not a lot of there there.
Hostal Santa Maria is an ocean front hostel that is nice
but very basic.Doubletree my fav there a bit of a budget buster.In Ica www.peru-explorer.com/las_dunas.htm so,ple rooms $70 very nice or Nasca Hotel Alegria right by bus station nice moderate. When there last flew the Lines $55 with Brabant Tours a nice Dutch Peruvian Couple stayed at Brabant Hostal there private double nice basic shared bath paid $6 you may stillfind my review onTripadvertizer. Be sure and fly the high wing Cessnas they have the best view. Beware the touts at the bus station who do a bait and swicth you might get a low wing with a middle seat and no view more $.

Caveat Emptor!

hostalalegria.com Hotel Alegria, Nazca.
Description: The most popular hotel in Nasca is Hotel Alegria. Rooms are comfortable and include private bath, TV and a fan. A few of the newer rooms even have air ...
http://www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/...a/alegria.html

Thanks, guys! You confirmed what I was thinking.