13 Best Hotels in The Southern Coast, Peru

Part of the respected Casa Andina chain, this hotel offers the best value for the money of any of Nazca's top-end lodgings. Catering to business travelers and tourists, the smartly yet simply furnished rooms come fully equipped with safes and Wi-Fi, and a small business center offers computer access and endless coffee and tea. Those interested strictly in pleasure can spend their time relaxing by the hotel's small pool.

Mixing colonial elegance with all the modern conveniences, this historic hacienda is a Nazca landmark. Formerly home to Maria Reiche (she lived in room 130 for 25 years), the hotel has long drawn international tourists and adventurers seeking to solve the mysteries of the lines. Stylish colonial rooms with private terraces deliver a touch of the good life, and the enormous central courtyard with its inviting pool makes it hard to drag yourself away. With nightly planetarium shows (S/20) and lectures about the lines, you can attempt to unravel the lines' enigmas without leaving the grounds.

This country-style hotel is set amid lush green lawns that accentuate the distant desert hills. Strolling the grounds, you'll discover a lovely pool fed by a fountain cascading from the rocks, as well as shaded gazebos surrounded by azaleas and slender tinajas. The dining room and common areas, with their Cusco-school paintings of archangels, channel a bygone colonial elegance; however, the rooms themselves feel a tad stiff. Those looking to escape the hurly-burly that is Nazca will find much to like here.

In a town short on accommodations, this little hotel is consistently reliable and fills up quickly on weekends and holidays. The Four Seasons it's not, but what it lacks in amenities it makes up for by being a step away from the beach. Single travelers and couples may find the standard rooms a bit on the lugubrious side, but groups are more fortunate: spacious apartments sleeping up to eight are a good deal and come with their private terraces for lounging and taking in the marine vistas. Between December and February, the small cafeteria on the premises functions as a restaurant, serving up seafood and criollo fare.

Guests at this hotel can imagine life as it was in Huacachina's heyday, thanks to a picture-postcard location fronting the lagoon and gorgeous Spanish colonial--style architecture. Though a tad rough around the edges, the cloistered 1920s property has regained some of its luster now that a Peruvian chain has taken it over, renovating the rooms and retaining most of the original features. The internal courtyard is lined with ficus trees, and rooms look out onto gardens overflowing with flowers. Bonus: the elegant English-style bar and respectable restaurant have fabulous lakeside views.

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.

Set amid 70 acres of fragrant gardens and surrounded by cotton fields, this quiet, 115-year-old hacienda and former Augustine convent, situated 3 km (2 miles) from the airport, offers a taste of life on a farm. Alpacas and vicuñas wander the grounds, and though rooms are simple, they are charming, with nice Nazca-themed decorative touches and courtyards adorned with colorful blossoms. The excellent restaurant serves local specialties, and the English-speaking staff can organize horseback rides, mountain-bike trips, or four-wheel-drive excursions.

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.

Set on a curve of the Río Cañete, this whitewashed, contemporary hotel is a rambling property surrounded by manicured lawns and bougainvillea. Intimate and romantic, it has a mix of stylish rooms and suites, some of which—especially the newer units with private terraces—convey a sleek, beachy vibe.

This straightforward Paracas resort, one of the more affordable options on the strip, is also one of the most grown-up, with fewer kids running around and, overall, fewer bells and whistles. There's a good range of room types and sizes, all with marble floors and sea views, and those on the second floor have a terrace and balcony. Life is simple here: you can lounge by the pool and have a frosty tropical drink brought to your chair; then, when you're hungry, head to the on-site La Reserva restaurant.

This intimate inn garners rave reviews, and the charming dune setting and small but inviting pool make it a good place to chill for a few days while exploring the area. It's on the small side, but the personable owner welcomes you with a pisco sour. The clean, modern rooms feature bright, cheery color schemes that help make up for the lack of natural light.

This large hotel squeezes every drop of benefit from its glorious riverside location: just ask the kids racing down to the currents in their beach towels or the weekenders on their balconies drowsing to the rush of the Río Cañete. The pool area, with its terraced lawns, access to the riverbank, and two saunas, is a winner, as is the cavernous on-site restaurant. Rooms are comfortably furnished, though somewhat marred by terrible plastic floor tiles. Don't hesitate to spring for the cost of a river-view unit: it's worth it.

A prior incarnation of this resort-style condo hotel was the first major international property to open on Asia's beaches, and to this day, it’s the most complete option for out-of-towners. The sprawling property includes an oversize swimming pool, a full gym, a restaurant and pool bar, and a wide expanse of beachfront. All the rooms have balconies, not to mention living areas and free Wi-Fi. You can also rent bicycles or Jet Skis and arrange fishing trips. Various meeting and event rooms cater to conferences and weddings.