Nestled amongst towering sand dunes in southern Peru sits Huacachina Oasis, a tiny desert village that feels like it belongs in a fairytale. With only a few hundred residents clustered around the naturally occurring lagoon, this miniature oasis is a mere 5km from Ica city (population ~300,000) but feels worlds away from urban life. I went to Huacachina last year and it was honestly one of the highlights from my time travelling in Peru.
The combination of the backdrop of gigantic sand dunes, near-perfect weather, and surprisingly lively nightlife makes Huacachina Oasis a standout stop on Peru’s tourist trail. The proximity to sand dunes makes Huacachina a sort of adventure capital of the Peru tourist trail, with dune buggy rides, sandboarding experiences and desert sunset hikes overlooking the Oasis.
An Intro Guide to Huacachina, Peru
Huacachina completely won me over when I stayed there. Yes, it is a bit touristy, but if you’ve been reading for a while you’ll know that that doesn’t bother me much. Huacachina is small – you can walk a full circuit of the lagoon in no time at all – and the only bad thing about this is that there are very few good restaurants to eat at. This is especially inconvenient as most hostels don’t have proper cooking facilities for self-catering.
Safety-wise, Huacachina ranks among Peru’s more secure destinations because it’s almost entirely inhabited by tourists or people who work in tourism. General precautions are advised, as always, but I still wouldn’t recommend walking alone at night time if you can help it.
Nearly every activity revolves around the magnificent sand dunes which offer a variety of adventure-packed experiences. While day-tripping to Huacachina from Ica is possible, I’d strongly recommend spending at least one night in the oasis itself for the full experience.
One slightly weird thing about Huacachina is that there was an earthquake while I was there, and the hostel manager told my friend that he was scared that a bigger earthquake would follow and cause the sand dunes to fall in on the oasis. He said that because our hostel was right on the edge of the oasis, he wouldn’t have time to evacuate everyone into the centre, especially if it happened at night – you can bet I didn’t sleep well that night!
If you’re worried about this sort of thing, I’d recommend choosing a hostel closer to the centre of the Oasis instead of right on the edge, although I did really like the hostel I stayed in.
How to Get to Huacachina Oasis Peru
From Lima, reaching Huacachina means heading roughly 4-5 hours south along Peru’s coastal highway. You can take the public bus or a private tourist transfer (the private transfers often stop at Paracas on the way, but that’s no bad thing!).
I took the Wayki Bus tourist transfer from Paracas, where I’d stayed overnight, because it takes you directly to Huacachina (most public bus routes take you to Ica, meaning you then have to take a quick taxi or a long hike into the oasis). This transfer was the same price as the public bus plus the cost of a taxi.
Getting here from Cusco presents more of a challenge – you’re looking at either a gruelling 16+ hour bus journey or the more practical option of flying to Lima first, then continuing south by bus. If you’re beginning in Cusco, I’d highly recommend making a few stops on your way to Huacachina because there are plenty of great things to see in between!
Where to Stay in Huacachina Oasis Peru
Viajero Hostel is where I stayed in Huacachina, and it absolutely delivered on all fronts. They have a swimming pool (that doubles as a water volley ball arena) which you’ll quickly realise is more of a necessity than a luxury in the desert heat! The staff organised daily excursions including sunset dune hikes, drinking games, and day trips. The social atmosphere struck a really nice balance, being social without being too “crazy party”, although I think it made a difference that I went there with friends I’d met earlier in Peru. I noticed that most other people were in groups and didn’t see that many solo travellers.
Through conversations with other backpackers and bus-friends, I learned a lot about the other hostels in Huacahina. Wild Rover Hostel apparently takes the party atmosphere to extreme levels, aka oppressively loud, with sleep nearly impossible before 2-3am. Bananas Adventure Hostel had noise issues for a different reason: it was right next to a night club.
After experiencing that minor earthquake and hearing the manager’s concerns about dune collapse, I’d personally recommend choosing accommodation closer to the lagoon’s centre rather than perched right against the sand mountains – both for peace of mind and slightly better odds of a good night’s sleep!
Of course, there are plenty of hotels in Huacachina, too. Hotel El Huacachinero is on the more premium end of the spectrum, with air-conditioned rooms and private balconies overlooking the lagoon (and an on-site restaurant serving some of the better food in the oasis).
For mid-range options, Hotel Curasi and Casa de Arena both have clean, comfortable accommodation with decent amenities but without the steep prices.
If you’re on a budget but don’t want to face a hostel (they’re not that scary, I promise, but I get you), you’ll find cheaper private rooms at Hospedaje Rosita and Carola Lodge, both starting at around S/100-120 (24-29€) per night.
Weather & Best Time to Visit Huacachina
Huacachina basks in desert sunshine practically year-round, with clear blue skies being the norm rather than the exception thanks to it being inland from the ocean.
Peru’s winter months (May through September) have the mildest temperatures hovering around 20-25°C (68-77°F) – perfect for dune adventures without excessive heat. Summer (December to March) cranks the thermostat considerably higher, regularly pushing 30-35°C (86-95°F), though temperatures drop in the evenings which makes sleeping a little easier.
Rainfall barely registers on the climate chart here, with annual precipitation measuring less than a measly 2mm!
The sun rises around 6am and sets approximately 6pm, with very minimal variation from season to season as Peru is so close to the equator. Tourist numbers peak during the Northern Hemisphere summer holidays (June-August) and again during the Christmas/New Year period. My trip in March last year hit the sweet spot – it was roasting hot, perfect weather (at least, that’s perfect weather in my opinion) with noticeably smaller crowds.
How to Get Around Huacachina
The oasis is so tiny that transportation within Huacachina isn’t really a think – you can walk anywhere within 5-10 minutes. You can complete a full circuit around the central lagoon in about 15 minutes, passing every restaurant, shop and hotel along the way. The compactness adds to the charm.
For travelling into Ica city, taxis and colourful tuk-tuks constantly circle the oasis, charging around S/15 (3€) for the 10-minute journey. I got a bit ripped off by my taxi driver and he charged me S/25, but I was in no position to argue and, at the end of the day, it’s only a couple of euros.
If you want to go into the desert, you have two options; you can do a hike, or you can book a tour. There’s simply no DIY option for the activities here unless you happen to travel with a specialised desert vehicle in your back pocket.
Do be warned that the physical effort of hiking up the dunes shouldn’t be underestimated. It is steep, and hot, and walking up sand is really difficult, especially in the heat of the day. You will also end up with sand in places you didn’t know it could get (but that’s all part of the desert experience).
Things to Do in Huacachina Oasis Peru
The undisputed highlight of any Huacachina visit is the exhilarating dune buggy and sandboarding combo tour (for which you’ll pay around S/70 or 17€). These run every day in the afternoon, always ending with an epic view of the sunset.
The buggy rides deliver genuine adrenaline rushes as drivers power up, down and across the massive dunes (you get strapped in like you would on a roller coaster for a reason) before stopping at several points for sandboarding opportunities. You don’t need any experience at all to go sand boarding, but you do need experience skiing or similar if you want to go sand skiing.
Many hostels coordinate wine and pisco tasting excursions to nearby vineyards (from about S/120 or 29€), offering a more relaxed counterpoint to the high-energy dune activities.
Ica city is worth exploring, too, mostly for its impressive collection of museums housing well-preserved pre-Incan mummies.
Back at the oasis, evenings come alive withentertainment – the water volleyball tournaments at Viajero proved surprisingly competitive (I was terrible at it but I still enjoyed myself), plus there was beer pong, kareoke, and a variety of clubs (which I cannot advise you on, because I didn’t go sorry!).
Where & What to Eat in Huacachina
The dining scene in Huacachina presents a curious paradox: a tourist destination, where tourists have no option but to eat out in a restaurant because there are almost no kitchens, with very limited food options. I quickly discovered that most restaurants around the oasis had earned their mediocre reviews, and the few half-decent places had skyrocketed their prices for their captive audience.
For a genuinely good meal, it’s definitely worth hopping into a taxi to Ica, especially if you’re in a group and can split the cost of the cab.
A lot of hotels and hostels will serve breakfast included (or for an additional cost) and serve food around the clock too, but of course it’s not exactly the Peruvian culinary experience you might want when you’re travelling.
Money and Prices in Huacachina
Peru’s currency is the Sol (S/), with an exchange rate of roughly 4 Soles to 1€. As a dedicated tourist destination, Huacachina has noticeably higher prices than you’ll find in most Peruvian towns outside the major tourist centres of Lima and Cusco.
Prices for activities are fairly reasonable with the signature dune buggy adventures ranging from S/70-90 (17-21€) depending on what you want to do whilst you’re out there. Accommodation starts at approximately S/40 (9.5€) for a basic hostel dorm bed and climbs rapidly to S/250+ (60€+) for private rooms in nicer plates. Most businesses accept credit cards, but cash is essential for smaller vendors, transport and some tours.
Important note: Huacachina lacks ATMs entirely, so you’ll need to go to Ica if you have to withdraw cash.
FAQs About Huacachina Oasis Peru
Is Huacachina oasis worth visiting?
Absolutely! Huacachina delivers a genuinely unique experience that stands apart from Peru’s more famous attractions. The contrast between the lush green oasis and the towering golden sand dunes creates an almost surreal landscape that feels more like a movie set than reality. The adventure activities and laid-back atmosphere make it a refreshing addition to any Peruvian itinerary.
How many days do you need in Huacachina Peru?
Two to three nights hits the sweet spot. This timeline allows you to experience both daytime and sunset dune tours, try your hand at sandboarding, perhaps visit a vineyard, and still have downtime to relax by the pool.
Is Huacachina a tourist trap?
Not in the negative sense. While unmistakably developed for tourism, Huacachina offers genuine value and access to spectacular natural landscapes and unique activities that would otherwise be inaccessible to a lot of travellers. The Oasis is natural, not man-made, and is a natural wonder in itself!
Can you swim in Huacachina oasis?
I wouldn’t recommend taking a dip in the lagoon itself. I don’t think the water is safe, and there are signs that say swimming isn’t advised. A lot of hotels and hostels have swimming pools, so keep an eye out for this if you want a way to cool off from the desert heat.
