Looking for the very best things to do in Huacachina?
This fiery hot desert town has quickly turned into the must-visit destination of Peru – given it has famous landscapes, exciting activities on offer, as well as being just a few hours drive south of Lima. There are many things worth doing here such as sandboarding and going for a Pisco tasting session – and as such it’s worth planning your trip around some of these iconic Ica experiences.
In this guide, we’ll explore the very best things to do in Huacachina. As well as seeing how you can best enjoy them and fit them into your own itinerary when in Peru, we’ll also answer some of your most asked questions in our FAQ section.
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6 Best Things To Do In Huacachina
Below we’ll now take a look at the very best things to do in and around Huacachina.
Walk Between The Giant Sand Dunes
Easily the best thing to do in Huacachina is also the most simple too. Given that this desert town is so small, it’s easy to walk from one side to the other in as little as 5-10 minutes – which also means that the massive, largest sand dunes (that cradle Huacachina both north and south) are always visible. Even better is to walk up them just before sunset to enjoy the most unforgettable red desert sunsets.
Go Sandboarding In The Desert
This has become one of Peru’s most sought-after adventure activities – where thrill-seekers can enjoy plummeting down these massive dunes at top speeds. Equipped with your own sandboard (or skies if you’re an expert and want a bigger challenge), during a Huacachina Day Tour From Lima you’ll then be transported up to multiple giant dunes to enjoy your rapid descents. With an expert guide on-hand to show you exactly how to do it, sandboarding will easily be one of the most memorable experiences you will have in Peru.
Taste Exotic Pisco And Pisco Sour Blends
The national drink of Peru, Pisco (and the popular Pisco Sour mixes) can be found in bars all over Lima, Cusco and the rest of the country. However this strong spirit is native to this desert region of Ica, and within Huacachina we can try some of the very best mixes in local bars – as well as in workshops where we get to take part in the brewing process and try multiple, tasty Pisco blends.
Enjoy Stargazing In Huacachina
There’s nothing quite like climbing the most towering of dunes and watching the stars at night – which can easily be done any day on the two massive dunes of Huacachina. For the clearest skies you’ll want to go further into the desert (and away from the nearby city of Ica), which can either be done with a specialist stargazing tour, or when staying in a hotel or glamping site which is located in a more remote setting.
Relax By The Oasis Lagoon
The natural pool of which Huacachina was built around, the emerald-green lagoon and surrounding palm trees makes for the perfect place both for photography enthusiasts and those who want to wind down for a few hours. Along with a picturesque malecón which can be walked around the lake in just 20 minutes (which is lined with restaurants and bars), there’s also pedal boats on the lake that can easily be rented on-site.
Feast On Authentic Peruvian Cuisine
Peruvian cuisine is well-known for its incredible variety of tasty dishes, and those coming from Lima will have most likely tried popular foods like Ceviche and Lomo Saltado. Given how popular the desert town of Huacachina has become, this means that we can now find many authentic local restaurants that line the waters edge. This includes Tiki Backyard as well as the Restobar by Viajero – where we can enjoy national classics as well as regional Ica specialities.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Things To Do In Huacachina
In this section we’ll now explore the most frequent questions we get about the best things to do in Huacachina, as well as anything else you need to know.
Are There Any Good Free Things To Do In Huacachina?
Yes – there are many awesome free things to do in Huacachina without spending a dime. The very best has to be going for a wild walk through the dunes – which is best by starting on the tall one which lies directly south of Huacachina and heading further out. You can also enjoy the desert by going stargazing here too, and also have a relaxing walk along the malecón which lines the oasis lagoon in town.
How Long Should You Spend In Huacachina?
This really depends on you and your goals when you want to visit the desert oasis town of Peru. However – most tourists find that one day is usually enough to see all of the highlights (such as going sandboarding, drinking Pisco and relaxing by the edge of the lagoon). If you want to spend more time either in a hotel with a pool, or exploring more of the desert, then two days is usually enough.
What Are The Best Things To Do In Huacachina At Night?
As the sun falls over the desert town, Huacachina transforms into a more relaxing town most days of the week. The best things to do include stargazing and enjoying the dusk views from on top of the two large dunes either side of the town, eating local Peruvian food in many authentic restaurants at the waters edge, and also to enjoy the nightlife at popular hotspots like Wild Rover and Desert Nights.
Overview Of The Best Things To Do In Huacachina
And that’s all for this guide on the very best things to do in Huacachina and the surrounding Ica Desert.
Peru’s very own desert oasis town has quickly transformed into one of the most popular destinations for travelers to visit when exploring this iconic South American country. And from walking across the towering orange dunes and trying Peru’s very best Pisco blends, to heading on an adrenaline-pumping dune buggy ride and sandboarding experience – there are many incredible things to do in Huacachina.
Want to experience the very best highlights of Huacachina and Ica in the most comfortable and smoothest way possible? Here at TravelBuddiesPeru, we operate an Unforgettable Ica Day Tour From Lima, which includes private transport, an expert tour guide, time in Huacachina, a visit to the nearby Ballestas Islands as well as the overflight of the ancient Nazca Lines.
