9 Epic Things to Do in Huacachina (Peru)

Huacachina Oasis: All Best Things to Do + My Tips

Visiting Huacachina means stepping into a real-life oasis surrounded by the golden dunes of the Ica Desert, a unique destination where most travelers come for one thing: sandboarding, dune buggy adventures, and a vibrant atmosphere!

It’s an easy and worthwhile stop on your Peru itinerary, located just south of Lima, on the way to Nazca and Arequipa, and close to Paracas.

In this complete guide to Huacachina, you’ll find everything you need to plan your trip: from the best sandboarding and dune buggy tours to other fun activities in the area.

I’ll also explain how to get to Huacachina on your own or with a guided tour, highlight my top picks for the best tours, and share where to stay no matter your budget.

So, what’s there to do in Huacachina—and where should you stay?

1. Go on a dune buggy and sandboarding tour

Although the oasis itself is stunning—with its lagoon surrounded by palm trees and small restaurants—the main tourist attraction in Huacachina is the chance to explore the towering sand dunes by buggy and sandboard. It’s a thrill you won’t forget!

All around the lagoon, you’ll find numerous small agencies offering buggy excursions. I recommend booking a tour that departs around 4:00 PM so you can enjoy the magical sunset from the top of the dunes.

At 4 PM sharp, we hopped into our buggy with three other traveling couples, buckled up, and listened to a quick safety briefing from our driver.

From the very first climb, it was clear our driver was aiming to give us maximum thrills.

We zoomed up and down steep dunes at full speed—everyone was screaming and laughing at the same time. It was an absolute blast!

Upon reaching the top of a dune, the driver turns off the tubular because it is the ideal place for sandboarding.

He gives each of us a board and, after some advice on how not to get hurt, I jump in.

Although he told us that it was a small dune, the height is impressive and the descent is made at high speed!

When I get to the bottom, I’m covered in sand but I can only think of one thing: to do it again!

In one hour, we will do about 5 sandboard descents, from the smallest dune to the highest one.

It was definitely one of the best experiences of my life.

• The buggy + sandboard tour lasts 2 hours and costs around 50 soles per person. There are also private tours, a bit more expensive.
• If you want you can rent just the sandboard (3 soles for 1h)
• There is an entrance fee to the Desert for 3.6 soles.

2. Watching the sunset on the dunes

At sunset, our driver-guide takes us back to a point where all the buggies gather. This is probably the best place to admire the sunset.

The view is magnificent and we are very lucky to be able to enjoy this exceptional moment which, unfortunately, does not last long.

• You can also climb the dunes on your own (and for free) to enjoy the sunset. In the desert, believe me it is an incredible spectacle.

3. Take a boat trip on the lake…

If you prefer to relax, you can rent a pedal boat for 2 people (20 soles) or a small boat with oars for 5-6 people (30 soles).

You can also swim in the lagoon, but… I woud advise against it since the water is not clean at all!

4. Visiting a vineyard

Ica is the wine and pisco region of Peru!

There are several wineries that you can visit on your own or take a day tour.

On your own

If you are traveling on a budget, the best option is without question Tacama, the oldest vineyard in South America.

• A cab will cost you between 25 and 50 soles from Ica
• The tour with tasting ranges from 25 to 140 soles.
• On weekends there is a free Peruvian Paso horse show.

With a guided tour

It is a half day tour with pick up at your hotel in Ica or La Huacachina.

It takes you to two wineries, including Tacama, to discover the process of making wine and pisco, with tastings included, and lunch (optional).

You can book the tour here:

5. Party

Huacachina is the ideal place to party, with several bars and hostels, which attract many backpackers.

I recommend for example the Wild Rover, the bar Huacafuckingchina and the disco Arenas.

Around the Huacachina

6. Ica

When you return to Ica from La Huacachina, I recommend you make a few stops:

• The Regional Museum of Ica “Adolfo Bermudez Jenkings” to see its artifacts from the Paracas, Nasca, Wari and Inca cultures. There is also a mummy, a reproduction of the Nazca lines and funerary objects. Admission 10 soles, students and retirees 5 soles, children 1 sol.
• Museum of Engraved Stones to see its impressive collection of 11,000 rocks dating from the time of the dinosaurs. Admission 35 soles, 20 soles for children under 11, guided tour included.
• El Mercado Modelo if you want to eat on a budget, the menu of the day is a great call.
• Mrs. Buendia’s store in the Plaza de Armas in Ica is the place to buy tejas and chocotejas (1 for 3 soles), traditional sweets, my favorite is the pecan chocoteja!

Just 7 minutes from Ica is also Cachiche, nicknamed the “Town of witches”. There is a statue “Bruja de Cachiche” in honor of Julia Hernandez, the most famous witch of Cachiche, and the “Palmera de Siete Cabezas”, a huge tree with a very special look.

7. The Paracas Reserve

The Paracas National Reserve is one of the best destinations in Peru!

Here you will find the Ballestas Islands which are home to about 4000 sea lions as well as a multitude of birds, fish and dolphins.

They are visited with a boat ride from Paracas, which also allows us to see El Candelabro, a 490 feet long geoglyph traced on the ground.

You can book here the tour to the Ballestas Islands which includes the tourist tax:

You can also go to the beaches of Paracas like Playa Roja (a good place to take pictures!), El Raspón or La Mina, and eat seafood in one of the small restaurants of the Lagunillas Bay.

8. The Nazca Lines

The city of Nazca is famous for the giant geoglyphs etched into the desert floor by the Nazca civilization, covering approximately 290 square miles.

This vast area is best appreciated from the sky, where a 30-minute scenic flight allows you to observe the most iconic figures—such as the hummingbird, the spider, and the monkey.

If you suffer from vertigo, the flight might not be ideal—but otherwise, I highly recommend it. It’s truly the only way to grasp the scale and wonder of this emblematic Peruvian site.

Beyond the Nazca Lines, the area also offers other fascinating attractions, including the Chauchilla Cemetery, the Antonini Archaeological Museum, the Cahuachi ceremonial center, and the Cantalloc aqueducts.

For the best experience, it’s recommended to book the early morning flight—ideally at 8:00 or 10:00 a.m. You can do that here:

• I recommend you to read: Nazca: All About the Nazca Lines + My Tips

9. Oasis Morón

Last but definitely not least on this list: Oasis Morón!

When I first visited in 2009, I was amazed by how untouched it was—unlike Huacachina, there was absolutely no one else around.

Today, it’s a bit more well-known, especially among Peruvian travelers, but it remains peaceful and underdeveloped, which adds to its charm.

It’s a small oasis surrounded by lush vegetation where you can swim, rent sandboards (15 soles for 1.5 hours), or take a kayak ride (5 soles per person for 40 minutes).

There are rustic bathrooms and changing cabins, along with shaded tables—perfect if you want to bring your own lunch, as there’s no on-site restaurant.

Fortunately, Oasis Morón still offers a quiet, off-the-beaten-path alternative to the more touristic Huacachina. If you’re nearby, don’t miss it!

How to get to Oasis Morón from Lima:

• Take a bus toward Pisco (around 20 soles with Soyuz) and ask to be dropped off at San Clemente. (If you forget, you can still take a colectivo from Pisco, but it will take more time.)
• From San Clemente, take a colectivo to Bernales (4 soles per person), then another colectivo to the entrance of Oasis Morón (+4 soles per person).

How to get there from Paracas:

• Take a colectivo to Pisco (3 soles per person).
• Then take a bus from this stop to Bernales (8 soles per person).

Where to stay in La Huacachina

• Banana’s Adventure Hostel: the best budget hotel in Huacachina. Enjoy the outdoor pool, garden with hammocks, rooftop terrace, and great atmosphere. Dorms from $22 USD or private rooms from $93 USD per night, breakfast included!

• Desert Nights Ecocamp: a unique accommodation where you can sleep in a tent with a real bed. There’s a pool with a bar, hammocks and lounge chairs, great atmosphere, and reliable Wi-Fi. Double tent from $49 USD, breakfast included.

• Hotel Las Dunas: a high-end hotel set on a beautiful property with a pool, bar and restaurant, gym, spa, walking paths, and views of the dunes. Buffet breakfast included, from $154 USD per night.

How to get to La Huacachina

La Huacachina Oasis is located on the road between Lima (4h-5h) and Nazca (2h30), quite close to Paracas (1h30).

Therefore, it is easy to include it in a Peru itinerary, dedicating a day or half a day to it.

1. On your own

1.1 From Lima to Ica

• By bus: prices vary from 30 soles to 60 soles, but there are direct buses and others not, and the trip can take 3h40 or 5h30. I recommend Peru Bus (Soyuz) or Cruz del Sur.
• By bus: the ticket costs 30 soles and the trip lasts about 3h30, from the atocongo bus terminal.

1.2 Going from Ica to La Huacachina

Take a cab (10 min, 6-8 soles). Cabs waiting at the bus station charge more like 10 soles.

1.3 By car

From Lima, it takes about 4h30 by car and the route is very easy.

Follow the Panamericana (1S) south for 4h30 to Ica, then turn right onto Cutervo and follow the road to Huacachina.

Personally, I always use Booking.com Cars for a few key reasons:

• Easily compare prices from all major rental agencies in one place—finding the best deal has never been easier!
• Free cancellation on most bookings, so you can reserve with peace of mind.
• Better insurance coverage at a lower price than rental companies—saving you money with no extra effort.

Click the button below to find the best car rental deals in Peru:

2. With an organized tour

If you prefer to visit the Huacachina oasis with a guided tour and not worry about transport logistics, here are the best excursions departing from Lima, Ica, or Huacachina:

1. This tour includes buggy and sandboard activities, with pickup directly from your hotel in Ica or Huacachina:

2. This full-day tour departs from your hotel in Lima and includes a boat tour to the Ballestas Islands, followed by buggy and sandboard activities in Huacachina, with free time to enjoy the lagoon:

3. This private full-day tour includes pickup from your hotel in Lima, a boat tour to the Ballestas Islands, a visit to a vineyard with pisco tasting, and buggy and sandboarding in Huacachina:

4. This intense one-day tour is perfect if you’re short on time. Starting early from your hotel in Lima, it includes a boat tour to the Ballestas Islands, a flight over the Nazca Lines, and free time at Huacachina:

My tips for visiting Huacachina

• The sun hits hard and the wind blows up the sand, so it is necessary to use a good sunscreen and sunglasses.
• Be careful with your phone or any other personal items that may fall! Once it is in the sand, good luck finding it…
• The only ATM in Huacachina (that I know of) is at the Huacachinero hotel. There are several ATMs in Ica, but it is always a good idea to carry some cash.

Book your plane ticket at the best price

Planning a trip to Peru? To get the best deal on your flights, I recommend using this flight comparison tool, in partnership with Skyscanner.

It’s the easiest way to find the lowest prices for both international flights and domestic flights within Peru—ensuring you pay the best rate with no hassle!

Where to eat in Huacachina

• Arturo’s Restaurant: for 12 soles we had a HUGE pasta dish with pesto and a breaded chicken cutlet + bottle of water. It was delicious but we couldn’t finish it all.
• La Casa de Bambú Restaurant: simple but very hearty and good dishes. A small, good and cheap restaurant.

So, do you want to go to La Huacachina on your next trip to Peru?

Some pictures of La Huacachina

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