Paracas is a city on the west coast of Peru. It is known for its beaches, such as El Chaco, located in the sheltered bay of Paracas. The city is a departure point to the uninhabited Ballestas Islands, home to sea lions, pelicans and Humboldt penguins. The rugged Paracas National Reserve has abundant wildlife and spans desert, ocean, islands and the Paracas Peninsula. The huge prehistoric geoglyph of the Candelabro de Paracas on the peninsula is carved into the side of a hill.