29 Best Hotels in The Southern Coast, Peru

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.

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.

Now part of Marriott's Luxury Collection, this ultrachic resort was created out of the rubble of the once-famous Hotel Paracas, destroyed in the 2007 earthquake. World-renowned designer Bernardo Fort-Brescia used more than US$2 million in bamboo in the two trendy restaurants and lounge, and the world-class spa ups the resort's swank factor significantly. The two sparkling pools are lined with daybeds, and the hotel has its own pier for trips to the Islas Ballestas, as well as kayaks, catamarans, and sand bikes for rent. The spacious rooms are done in earthy tones and have every amenity imaginable. All feature a private terrace.

There's no better property in Peru for getting an up-close view of the wine and pisco industry than this charming bodega-hacienda surrounded by 400 hectares (988 acres) of leafy vineyards. Santiago Quierolo is a household name in Peru, with two legendary taverns in Lima and a sizeable presence in the national liquor market, and this stylish property gives the brand's imprimatur to a modern, classy lodging with top-shelf amenities. Spend your days learning about pisco and admiring the vines and your afternoons lounging poolside. At night, indulge your taste buds at the superb restaurant.

Rustic bungalows with thatched-bamboo roofs, a fire pit, and a stellar terrace restaurant make this eco-lodging something special; granted, the hotel's technology-free ethos (no TV, no Wi-Fi) isn't for everyone, but couples seeking a romantic getaway as well as frazzled urbanites in need of rejuvenation will welcome the chance to unplug, especially amid such beauteous surroundings. The staff is amiability personified, including the resident dog and cat. The lodging is a 15-minute cab ride from Lunahuaná's Plaza de Armas.

Part of the growing Peruvian Aranwa chain, this sprawling upscale resort has a lot going on, making it good for families, active types, spa seekers, and conference delegates alike. Amenities include a spa, a convention center, a 180-meter (590-foot) wharf, two pools, a restaurant, and a pisco bar, plus tennis courts and play areas for children. You’ll never lack for something to do here. The relaxed yet contemporary rooms have marine-inspired accents, and each has a balcony or patio with ocean views.

This party-vibe hotel has the virtue of being in the midst of the action on Asia's boulevard, making it popular with younger travelers and couples. Rooms overlook a central pool area with palm trees and South Beach–style daybeds, and there are a bar and restaurant where you can snack on cebiche and pisco sours while a DJ blasts house music on summer weekends. That said, older travelers might find the accommodations rather spartan for the price—tile floors and cement-block decor are standard–and the staff is curiously negligent, given the hotel's elite clientele.

Backpackers may flock to this super-chill hostel on Huacachina's north side for its buzzing social scene, but the rooms and amenities here are sufficiently ample to attract budget travelers of all ages. Rooftop terraces, movies under the stars, an outdoor tiki bar alongside the palm-fringed pool: the place packs a lot into a compact space. Rooms range from bare-bones dormitories with bunk beds to spacious doubles with en suite baths and air-conditioning. The on-site restaurant is surprisingly good, and the staff offers sandboarding, buggy tours, and excursions to area attractions.

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.

This is one of Ica's hidden gems, with amenities you'd expect to find only in a much larger hotel. The intimate property, surrounded by brick walls, includes a great restaurant serving local specialties and a sleek bar area, plus a swimming pool, a gym, and hammocks. The cozy rooms, with tile floors and contemporary macro photography on the walls, are simple but stylish.

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.

The first major resort hotel to hit the Paracas coast, this all-suites, family-friendly retreat sits just a few steps down the beach from the more luxurious Hotel Paracas. Here, lazy palms surround more than 8,000 square feet of pool space that shimmer against the white façades of the guest rooms, which feature smallish living rooms and kitchenettes. The hotel abounds with activities: beyond the great pool, there's also access to the beach, as well as a spa and two restaurants.

With rooms built around a central courtyard complete with an ancient grape press and a working pisco distillery, it's hard to tell whether this quirky property on the road between Ica and Huacachina is a hotel or a bodega-style theme park. It's strange, but all the knickknacks work, giving the place a unique and charming air. There's something for everyone: an adventure playground for the kids, a nice swimming pool, a small zoo, and of course, the bodega. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with pastel furnishings and wood fittings. In March, you're invited to use your feet in the annual grape pressing.

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.

Long a favorite with travelers, this classic Nazca hotel is set around a sunny courtyard with swimming pool—a perfect spot to relax after a dusty morning flight over the Nazca Lines. The hotel's decor is on par with that of other midrange options in town, with clean, comfortable rooms. The reception is extremely welcoming, and knowledgeable staffers can help book flights and tours. Due to its location across from the bus station, the hotel is often full.

For a taste of the good life, Peruvian style, head to this top-end resort between Ica and Huacachina, a favorite getaway for Peruvian families. A cluster of whitewashed colonial-style buildings at the foot of the dunes is interspersed with ponds and canals full of fish, and llamas roam freely on the grounds. Spacious rooms have balconies overlooking lush lawns, and suites boast sunny courtyards and whirlpools. You can dine poolside or in a breezy gazebo at the restaurant, as well as rent sandboards, play golf on the dunes, ride horseback, or spend the day in the spa.

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.

A relaxing oasis away from the dust of the Pisco streets, this friendly, family-run guesthouse is a top place to drop your bags and rest your weary bones. The cozy rooms have bright Peruvian motifs, and there are a sunny patio and swimming pool to hang out in. For night owls, a lively bar and billiard room afford opportunities for socializing. The hotel is near the cemetery; take a taxi if arriving at night.

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.

This hotel may not be as flashy as the nearby Doubletree or Hotel Paracas, but it's just as nice, and the daily supervised activities for kids are a hit with families. Part of the massive pool area butts right up against several of the rooms, so you can swim right off your porch. The rooms feature clay-tile floors and textiles modeled after Paracas culture designs, many of the same gadgets as the better-known chain hotels, and a private patio. The hotel also has a small museum of pre-Columbian artifacts and a private launch that takes guests to the Ballestas Islands.

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.

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.

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.