South AmericaPhoto by Ben Ostrower on Unsplash
Huacachina
Sandboarding dunes, crisp pisco sours, and a palm-fringed oasis.
Why visit
01 / 10The case for going
Huacachina is Peru's only natural desert oasis, a tiny palm-fringed lagoon ringed by colossal sand dunes, creating a surreal landscape.
It serves as an unexpected adventure hub, with dune buggies roaring over the crests and sandboarders carving down, all within reach of the ancient Nazca Lines and the abundant marine wildlife of the Ballestas Islands.
What to do
02 / 10Ways to spend a day
Activities €80–150 total
- 01Sunset dune buggy ride and sandboarding down the Huacachina hills. Book on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)
- 02Tour a Pisco vineyard and distiller in the nearby Ica Valley. Book on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)
- 03Take a scenic flight over the enigmatic Nazca Lines. Book on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)
- 04Boat trip to the Ballestas Islands, home to sea lions and birds. Book on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)
- 05Paddle boat or kayak on the Huacachina oasis lagoon. Book on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)
Book activities & tickets
Sandboarding dunes, crisp pisco sours, and a palm-fringed oasis.
Where to stay
03 / 10The right base
Accommodation €15–30/night
In Huacachina
Huacachina Oasis
all action on the lagoon's edge, walkable to everything
In Ica
Centro
practical city base, near bus terminal and local markets
Find a place to stay
How to get there
04 / 10Easiest way in
Fly into:
- Jorge Chávez International LIM
Plan the journey
How to get around
05 / 10Once you land
Within Huacachina, it is all walkable. To Ica, mototaxis (tuk-tuks) cost a few soles. For longer trips, local buses and shared vans connect to Paracas and Nazca.
Get around
What to eat
06 / 10Order this
Food €10–20/day
- TasteAtlas (opens in a new tab)
Pisco sour
grape brandy cocktail
- TasteAtlas (opens in a new tab)
Tejas
caramel-nut chocolate
- TasteAtlas (opens in a new tab)
Lomo saltado
beef stir-fry with fries
- TasteAtlas (opens in a new tab)
Ceviche
marinated raw fish
By the numbers
07 / 10Cards on the table
Safety index
70/100
General guide, not advisory data
Best seasons
Fall · Winter
When it's at its best
Stay for
4 days
The sweet spot
Daily spend
$$
Mid-range
How to fit in
08 / 10Read the room
Embrace the pace of the desert, where life revolves around the oasis and sunset activities. Dune buggy and sandboarding tours are best experienced in the late afternoon, concluding with spectacular views as the sun dips below the sand hills.
How to pack
09 / 10What goes in the bag
Best in Fall
Autumn: warm and dry with clear skies around 25-30C during the day, cooling significantly at night.
- light, breathable clothes
- wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
- sturdy shoes for walking in sand
- sunscreen and lip balm
- warm layer for cool desert nights
How to prepare
10 / 10The boring bits
Three things worth sorting before you fly.
Tomorrow's detour
One place worth the trip.
Curated destinations, one a day.