5 Best Hotels in The Southern Coast, Peru

Hands down Huacachina's best budget hotel, this is a prime lodging for nonbackpackers in Huacachina—clean, safe, and with its own little bar featuring a mural of Ica's now-disappeared camel herd. Thoughtful design touches are everywhere, from the Peruvian art and handicrafts adorning the walls to the rustic bamboo fittings and wooden balconies and walkways. If you want to relax, the pool area with its hammocks for lounging is super inviting. The collection of raucous parrots will ensure that you're up in time for breakfast.

It may not be the most jumping joint in town, but this laid-back guesthouse is a good spot for enjoying the beauty of the desert landscape without having to deal with the constant party that you'll find in some other hotels. The gorgeous manicured garden with pool and outdoor parrilla (barbecue) looks right onto the dunes, and some rooms have balconies overlooking the lake.

Guests waking up at this intimate bed-and-breakfast will find themselves dazzled by the light off the ocean and by a pebbled beach that's empty on all sides. That's because Inti-Mar is situated all the way across Paracas Bay, on a remote stretch of the Paracas Peninsula just steps from the sprawling national reserve. The owners run an organic scallop farm and are happy to regale visitors with the day's catch in the superb restaurant. You can also go kayaking or take boat excursions from the dock. If you're craving silence and solitude, this is the place. Just note that the inn has a lengthy list of restrictions, so it's essential to read the website thoroughly before making reservations.

Friendly and in a terrific location for those heading out on early-morning boat excursions, this ramshackle guesthouse is popular with backpackers and tour groups alike. The slightly worn-looking rooms may be nothing to write home about, but there's good Wi-Fi, and the breakfast terrace with views over the port is the best spot in town to catch up on postcard writing or to enjoy a pisco sour. Try to get a room with sea views; those that face the internal corridor are small and dark.

Perched in a breathtaking setting high in the Andean foothills, this cozy lodge affords access to more than 80 km (50 miles) of hiking trails, offering a glimpse of Andean life few tourists will ever see. It's operated by Mountain Lodges of Peru, the same company that runs the luxury lodge-to-lodge trek on the Salkantay trail in the Cusco area. Earth-toned stone and wood buildings are set on a ridge with sweeping views of green valleys below. The vistas are especially impressive from the restaurant, which serves a mix of Novo Andino and international plates utilizing local produce. Rooms have a comfortable, alpine-cabin feel, with stone walls and wood-beam ceilings.