Paracas is 250 km south of Lima on the Panamericana Sur. By bus from Lima, Cruz del Sur and other companies serve Pisco (the nearest large town, 20 km north); from Pisco, take a taxi or mototaxi to Paracas. The bus trip from Lima takes 3–4 hours. Some buses go directly to Paracas; check at Lima's bus terminals.
By private car or taxi from Lima, allow 3–3.5 hours depending on traffic. The Panamericana is paved and in good condition for this stretch.
Most travellers combine Paracas with Ica and the Nazca Lines to the south, making it part of a southward loop along the coast. The distance from Paracas to Ica is about 70 km (1 hour); from Ica to Nazca is another 145 km.