The Paracas Candelabra
A giant, unexplained trident carved into a desert hillside, visible only from the water.
- Address: Northern face of the Paracas Peninsula, visible only from the bay
- District: Paracas Peninsula
- Category: geoglyph / viewpoint from the water
The Candelabra (Candelabro de Paracas) is a massive geoglyph cut into the sandy hillside on the northern edge of the Paracas Peninsula, roughly 590-790 feet tall -- large enough that ships could once use it to navigate from more than 12 miles out at sea. It was made by cutting about two feet into the hardened soil and clearing the dark, oxidized surface layer to expose the lighter sand beneath, which is why the lines still show clearly after an estimated 2,000 years with almost no rainfall to erode them. No one knows for certain who made it or why: theories range from a Paracas-culture ceremonial marker to a colonial-era navigational beacon, and it has even picked up fringe theories about extraterrestrial signaling, none of which are established fact. There is no path or road to it -- the geoglyph sits on a protected hillside with no visitor access on foot, so the only way to see it is from a boat, as part of the outbound leg of a Ballestas Islands tour, when boats slow briefly off the coast for photos.
Highlights
- A geoglyph roughly 590-790 feet tall, cut into the hillside about 2,000 years ago
- Visible from as far as 12+ miles out at sea, historically used as a sailors' landmark
- No confirmed origin or purpose -- ceremonial marker, navigational beacon, and other theories all remain unproven
- Seen only from the water, on the way out to the Ballestas Islands
Ideal for
- anyone taking a Ballestas Islands boat tour (it's included automatically on the way out)
- travelers interested in Peru's ancient and unexplained archaeological sites
Practical information
- Hours
- Viewed only during Ballestas Islands boat tours, which typically depart El Chaco between 7:30am and 10am
- Price
- No separate admission -- included in the cost of any Ballestas Islands boat tour
- Tips
- It appears within the first 10-15 minutes of the boat ride, before the boat reaches the islands themselves -- have a camera ready early rather than waiting for the islands.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a separate ticket to see the Candelabra?
No -- there's no separate admission. It's viewed automatically as part of any Ballestas Islands boat tour, on the way out to the islands.
Can I visit the Candelabra on foot?
No, there's no path or road to it. The geoglyph sits on a protected hillside with no visitor access on land, so the only way to see it is from a boat.
When during the tour do we see it?
It appears within the first 10-15 minutes of the boat ride, before reaching the islands themselves, so have your camera ready early rather than waiting.
How big is the Candelabra and how old is it?
It's roughly 590-790 feet tall and estimated to be about 2,000 years old, cut about two feet into the hardened soil to expose the lighter sand beneath.
Is it known who made the Candelabra or why?
No -- its origin isn't confirmed. Theories range from a Paracas-culture ceremonial marker to a colonial-era navigational beacon, and none are established fact.
What time do the boats that pass it depart?
Ballestas Islands boats typically depart El Chaco between 7:30am and 10am.