Paracas Bay, Peru Cruise Port

• Before beginning your adventure through the park, check out the obelisk at the entrance of Paracas village. It commemorates the landing of General Jose de San Martin, who led South America in its struggle from independence from Spain.
   
• With artefacts as well as animals, one of the most fascinating attractions here is the Paracas Necropolis, containing ancient burial sites. Near the Museo JC Tello, the items unearthed with the graves along with the mummified remain give a good indication of past life and culture in this part of Peru.
   
• Here you’ll find at least 36 different species of marine animals. Keep an eye out for whales, sea lions, sea otters, crab, abalone, and octopus. Turtles are also present, and you can see green, leatherback, and hawksbill turtles hanging around. Try to identify several types of fish, including hake, smooth dogfish, and spotted dogfish.
   
• Birdwatchers will delight in more than 215 species of migratory birds that spend at least part of their lives here. Some have protected status, declared endangered or vulnerable by the Peruvian government. Get out your binoculars and watch for the Humboldt penguin, American flamingo, and Peruvian diving petrel, along with blue-footed, Peruvian, and masked boobies (among many others).