How to Visit Huacachina in Ica, Peru – Best Time to Go, Travel Tips, Sandboarding & Epic Dune Buggy Rides

Essential Tips for Visiting Huacachina

Where We Stayed

Hosteria Suiza this hotel is located right on the oasis and next to the dunes. The rooms were spacious, and the staff were friendly. It’s a great location, less than a minute from all the attractions. They have a big large pool, good to have one in the desert. It gets little dusty with the sand from the dunes due to its location but we heard the same from all hotels in the area.

How to Get to Huacachina

There are buses running from Miraflores (a dstrict within Lima – the Peruvian Capital), to Ica. The VIP bus to Ica is comfortable and equipped with restrooms and is cost effective. The drive takes about 4.5 hours. If you leave by Morning, you can arrive by lunch time. The tours in Ica dont start until evening an hour or two before sunset, so even if you have one day it is doable and worth the visit.

Visit During the Best Months

It’s almost always hot in Ica, so plan your visit to coincide with the best time to visit the rest of Peru, which is from April to October. We went in early July, and the weather was perfect for most of the country.

Be Prepared for Sand at the Resorts

Keep in mind that the resorts in Huacachina are surrounded by sand dunes. It can be hard to keep sand out of the water, so showers often bring both water and sand. Resorts usually provide separate towels to wipe off the sand after a shower, so be prepared for it.

Bring a Sweater for Evening

Once the sun goes down in the desert, the temperature drops quickly. Bring a light sweater, especially if you plan to watch the sunset.

Secure Your Belongings on Dune Buggy Rides

Dune buggy rides are very bumpy, almost like rollercoaster rides, and everything can fly off, including your bags. Make sure to bring tags or straps to secure your sunglasses, hats, and bags, and check that nothing can hit other people during the ride.

Keep Your Camera Sand Free in the Huacachina Dunes

The sand in Huacachina is very fine, so make sure to protect your camera. Sand particles can easily get into the lens and cause damage.