An oasis town sandwiched between some of the tallest sand dunes in South America, Huacachina Peru really is a must-visit destination when in this diverse Andean country.
Many come here to enjoy the spectacular vistas of the surrounding Ica Desert, where we can go Sandboarding as well as visit some of the unique Pisco wineries of the area. As a result it’s a popular trip to make from Lima, and cannot be missed when exploring Peru’s southern regions.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Huacachina Peru. This includes the very best things to see and do, how to get to here, choosing a tour as well as our own personal tips to help you have the most memorable experience here.
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Quick Answer: As a whole, Peru’s south is full of unique destinations – however the town of Huacachina really is one of a kind. Located within the arid Ica Desert, there are towering dunes that surround the town from all angles – and give a perfect desert backdrop from wherever you look.
Some of these giant sand dunes measure up to a seriously impressive 500m in height too, and those looking for some true adventure can go Sandboarding down these for a real rush of adrenaline. Many of the tours that head here will also include a Dune Buggy Ride where you fly around the arid plains, before heading up to one of the tallest dunes for an epic panoramic view.
There’s more to Huacachina than just the desert, though. The national drink of Pisco hails from this region, and some of the best wineries can be found close to Huacachina. This town is also located close to the mysterious Nazca Lines as well as the Ballestas Islands, and later in this guide we’ll show you how you can visit them all when here.
It’s important to know that Huacachina is located in the center of Peru, in a region called Ica which borders Lima to the south. It’s located roughly 292 km from the capital, which makes it perfect for visiting as a day trip.
Given that it’s located in the middle of the hot desert, it’s important to remember that the weather will be more hot and arid when compared with the capital (which is especially the case during the winter season).
This means you’ll want to wear light clothing, bring lots of water as well as keep reapplying sunscreen. Later in this guide we’ll list everything you need to bring on a trip to Huacachina.
Below we’ll now explore the very best things to see and do in Huacachina, as well as what you can expect from each activity here.
One of the most epic activities you can do in Peru, Sandboarding isn’t just reserved for the pros. Here we can choose to either stand or sit down, with the latter making it much more comfortable and safe for first-timers who want the experience of riding down a giant sand dune. You’ll first practice on a few small slopes beforehand, where you’ll be given a safety briefing as well as your own board. Here at TravelBuddiesPeru we include Sandboarding in our all-inclusive day tour from Lima, where you’ll have the very best experts on-hand as well as a memorable Dune Buggy Ride around the desert. Learn more about why you should go Sandboarding in Huacachina.
One thing is to see Huacachina in photos online, however another is to actually walk around the town with the backdrop of massive orange sand dunes. The town itself is very small, and you can sit by the lake or eat at a local restaurant to really enjoy the views and let them sink in. Even though everything is within a short walking distance, it’s really important to bring water with you, as well as to keep reapplying sunscreen given how hot the sun can be here. If necessary, you can also hail a mototaxi to get around or to head to the nearby city of Ica.
Penguins in the middle of the desert? You’d be right in thinking this sounds too good to be true. Instead, however, we are talking about the Ballestas Islands within the Paracas National Reserve, which are located just a couple of hours west of Huacachina. It’s the perfect day trip to take to see marine wildlife, where we will head on a boat tour that departs from the coastal town of Paracas. As well as sighting the iconic Humboldt Penguins, we can also spot Seals, Cormorants, Pink Flamingos and even Orcas in the waters if you’re lucky.
Given how arid and hot the Ica Desert can get, you’d assume that little can really grow or flourish in this area. However, quite on the contrary, this region actually has the perfect conditions for growing Pisco where you can tour the vineyards and try some unbelievably sweet wines – which is definitely amongst the best things to do in Huacachina. There are many famous wineries in the region such as that of Tacama, and you can head to one (which is close to Huacachina) to learn about how they are made as well as try many tasty samples. On our Huacachina Day Tour From Lima we also visit a Pisco winery, which is the perfect opportunity to bring a few bottles as souvenirs for the road!
This is the most recommended option for anyone who is in Lima, given transport times will be much faster (where you will travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle to Huacachina). Heading on a tour also means you won’t need to head to a bus station early in the morning, given the public transport schedules from Lima are fixed and take longer.
Here at TravelBuddiesPeru we offer a memorable day trip to Huacachina from Lima, which includes all transport to and from the capital. Here we will go Sandboarding, visit a Pisco Vineyard for tastings and also get plenty of time to explore the town of Huacachina. As a bonus we will also visit the Ballestas Islands in the morning where we can spot Humboldt Penguins and Seals during the boat tour!
Be sure to read our Lima to Huacachina transport guide to learn more about the different methods of getting here from the Peruvian capital.
The other option is to visit Huacachina with public transport. This is best for those who are looking to save on travel costs, and also for travelers who have a more flexible schedule and want to spend more days within the Huacachina oasis town.
Within the district of La Victoria in Lima we can find several bus companies that make the trip to Ica (which is close to Huacachina). These include PerúBus and Jaksa, which have various departures throughout the day. The bus ride will take around 5 hours, where you will get-off at Ica. From here you can then take a taxi or mototaxi to the town of Huacachina which is a 15 minute drive away.
There’s also a chance you may be coming from the coastal town of Pisco, which is very close to Paracas (and where most buses connect to when traveling from further afield).
To get from Pisco to Huacachina you’ll want to head to the bus terminal and hop on the 1/2 hour bus heading to the city of Ica. Once you’ve arrived here you’ll then need to head on either a taxi or a mototaxi to the oasis town of Huacachina, which is roughly 15 minutes away.
It’s important to mention that if you want to see both the Ballestas Islands of Paracas and Huacachina within the same day then it’s certainly possible, however you’ll need to be well organized. Another option is to head on an organized day tour, where you can take your time seeing the sights and not worry about missing the last bus out or rushing your activities.
As we’ve already seen in this guide, there are many incredible things to do in Huacachina and it really is a must-visit when in Peru. However some of you may be wondering if it’s best to stay here rather than visiting for the day.
It really depends on your timeframe and what your plans are after. It might make sense to stay in Huacachina if you then head more south along the coast, however you’ll need to review the different accommodations and find one that fits your budget.Overall it’s more than possible to see all of Huacachina’s highlights in just one day from Lima, which is great since the town can otherwise be quiet with little left to do. Here at TravelBuddiesPeru we operate an incredible one day tour to Huacachina from Lima where we go Sandboarding and also visit a unique Pisco winery.
Below we’ll now cover everything you need to know about booking tours to Huacachina, the different options we offer as well as why they are better when compared with visiting independently.
Those looking to visit the desert oasis of Huacachina will love this day tour from Lima. Here we’ll leave the capital early in the morning, first arriving at Paracas for a memorable boat ride around the Ballestas Islands. Keep your eyes peeled for Penguins and Seals here!
Traveling in our private air-conditioned van, we will next head to Huacachina to enjoy a guided tour around the Pisco Vineyards where we can try some of the very best blends. Finally we will then head on a high-octane Dune Buggy Ride followed by Sandboarding down the giant Ica Dunes.
You can learn more about our Lima To Huacachina, Ballestas Islands And Vineyard Tour, as well as our available dates and everything that is included.
This is the ultimate day tour experience from Lima, and is the only one of its kind where you can see everything in just one day. Also starting early, we’ll get to relax in our private transport as we first drive to Paracas for our boat trip around the Ballestas Islands.
From here we will then board our Nazca Lines Flights from nearby Pisco, where we will see all of the incredible ancient hieroglyphs and learn about the history of this unbelievable site. Finally we will then head to Huacachina to enjoy the town, as well as go on a Sand Buggy Ride and Sandboarding Tour before returning to Lima.
Check out our Lima To Ballestas, Nazca Lines Overflight & Huacachina Oasis Tour now, and live the ultimate tour experience with us!
Perhaps you need to better compare your different options of visiting Huacachina from the capital, or are still not sure how is best to get here.
Below we have created the perfect comparison tool that highlights both options, which will help you to choose the right option from Lima.
| Public Transport From Lima | Day Tour From Lima | |
| ⏰ Travel Times | 6/10 (5 Hours one-way) | 8/10 (3 Hours one-way) |
| ✈️ Comfort | 6/10 | 10/10 |
| 🔧 Practicality | 7/10 | 9/10 |
| 🗣️ Learning With A Tour Guide | 0/10 | 10/10 |
| 💵 Cost* | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| 🎁 Extras Included** | 0/10 | 8/10 |
| Overall: | 4.6/10 | 8.6/10 |
*Whilst cheaper, using public transport will have its downsides such as cold temperatures and busy buses. Whilst you can save financially, it may end up costing more from an experience point of view.
**On our day tour from Lima, you will also have the boat ride to the Ballestas Islands, the entry to a Pisco Vineyard as well as transport between all activities all included.
Huacachina is located within the arid region of Ica, which is essentially a desert. This means that regardless of when you visit, rainfall is minimal throughout the year (so you won’t need to bring any waterproofs with you).
The overall best time to visit Huacachina is during the summer season, which runs from December until March. Temperatures here will be at their hottest and the evenings won’t be as chilly. Daily averages here hover between 71-75°F, with highs of up to 85°F and evening lows that drop down to 64°F.
It’s also great to visit Huacachina in the winter season too, which begins in May and lasts until September. Average temperatures are still warm at between 64-68°F, with highs of up to 79°F and lows of 56°F. There will be less people here during this time too, which is perfect for those who don’t like crowds.
It’s important to remember that it’s going to be hot during the day regardless of which month you visit, so you’ll need to bring lots of water and also reapply sunscreen several times throughout the day.
Given Huacachina is so popular and well-known, this means we can find all kinds of restaurants and cuisines located in this very small town.
There are many Peruvian local restaurants which are perfect for trying some of the country’s very best dishes, such as Lomo Saltado, Ceviche and Papa a la Huancaina. The very best national-style restaurants in the oasis town include Desert Nights and the Nuna Cocina Bar.
If you want international foods then you’ll be spoilt for choice. The Wild Olive Trattoria & Guesthouse is the best place for Italian delights like Pasta and Pizza, whilst Casa de Bamboo offers exotic dishes such as Falafel and Curry.
Below we’ll now cover everything you need to know about planning your own trip to Huacachina in Peru. This includes what to pack, how to book a tour, planning how you will do the different things to do in Huacachina as well as the costs here.
It’s important to make sure you have everything you need when coming to Huacachina. Whilst you can buy things here, we recommend bringing what you need beforehand to save time on your trip. Below is what we recommend wearing, as well as packing for your trip here.
Clothes:
Miscellaneous Items:
If you are looking to visit Huacachina with a day tour from Lima, then we highly recommend booking your tour at least a couple of weeks in advance. This way you’ll guarantee your ideal departure day, and can best use your other days in Lima in between the tour dates.
It’s important to read the fine print as well on what a tour includes, since there are many tour operators around Lima who offer very different experiences. Here at TravelBuddiesPeru we include all private transport and activities on our various Huacachina tours. This way you’ll have the most efficient travel experience possible in just one day whilst still seeing all of the very best highlights in this diverse region.
Similar to many of the other destinations in Southern Peru, Huacachina is quite a cheap place to visit. If you are heading here independently and want to spend a few nights, there are many great hotels and hostels which are affordable (usually between $8-13 for a hostel dorm bed and $20-40 for a private hotel room).
Once in Huacachina, you’ll also find plenty of restaurants around the oasis town. These can vary quite a lot in price, and some will naturally be more expensive as they are geared towards tourist prices (such as a meal for one person costing $10-20). There are also local restaurants in town that are much cheaper whilst still providing great tasting food.
Overall the town of Huacachina is very safe to visit, and this owes to the fact that it’s a tiny town and is very touristy. This means there’s police presence around, and also that locals discourage criminal acts given that they all highly depend on tourism here.
To be honest the biggest risk here will actually be the sun, where you’ll want to keep reapplying sunscreen and wearing a hat to avoid getting burnt. It’s also wise to avoid walking around at midday when the sun is at its strongest.
If you are planning on going Sandboarding then you’ll of course want to wear long clothing to avoid getting burns from the sand. Also make sure to listen to your instructor in order to stay safe when enjoying your ride down these giant dunes.
Below we’ll share our very best tips for visiting Huacachina, and what you need to know in order to have the most enjoyable experience possible here.
To be honest, Huacachina is great to visit year-round, however the shoulder seasons are best (such as March, April, September and October). This way you won’t have massive crowds with you, and will have less people around when going Sandboarding. The temperatures will also be more comfortable too, firstly during the day where it’s not as hot, as well as the evening lows not being too chilly.
Whilst Huacachina is undoubtedly a memorable place to visit, all of the top things to see and do here can easily be done in just one day. Otherwise you may feel you get bored quickly with the town after a couple of days here. We highly recommend heading on our Huacachina Day Tour From Lima, which includes Sandboarding, a Pisco Winery visit, a boat trip around the Ballestas Islands, all transport and more!
Whilst temperatures may not seem as hot and scolding as other parts of Peru and South America, it can be surprisingly easy to burn when in Huacachina (we are close to the Equator after all). Be sure to reapply sunscreen several times a day, and also to make sure you are drinking lots of water to stay properly hydrated.
And that’s all for our ultimate guide to visiting Huacachina in Peru.
This incredible oasis town is one of the best highlights of a trip around the southern regions of Peru, where we can go for a memorable Sandboarding trip down the massive sand dunes. We can also visit the unique Pisco wineries here where the national drink is brewed, as well as enjoy the charming atmosphere of the desert town.
In this guide we’ve covered everything you need to know about visiting Huacachina, including what you can see and do here, how to get to Huacachina as well as our own top personal recommendations.
Are you also looking to see the Nazca Lines when in Peru? We offer an all-inclusive day tour from Lima which includes an overflight over the hieroglyphs, a Sandboarding Tour in Huacachina as well as a visit to the Ballestas Islands!
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