The oasis of Huacachina– the first time I heard this phrase, I wasn’t sure if it was real. I didn’t even know if oases actually existed (sorry, East Coast American here) or were fictional. I had been cooped up in a room in a village in the Andes for 3 months, waiting out the rainy season when life kind of stops in that part of Peru. So when I heard the warm, sunny oasis was indeed real, I jumped at the chance to go. I was excited to try a new sport, drink some pisco, and catch up with friends.
Not just anyone could escape to Huacachina back in the day, though. Once reserved for Peruvian high society, the (very real) oasis is now a not-so-secret adventure spot just south of Lima for weekend travelers and backpackers. The oasis was made popular with its dune buggy and sandboarding excursions, but there is more to this tiny town of 100. It’s not far from Paracas and the Islas Ballestas, and the famous Nazca lines are a couple of hours away. Plus, Huacachina is located in Ica. Because of this you’ll find the best pisco and historic Peruvian vineyards.
Locals say the water of Huacachina treats asthma, rheumatism, and bronchitis. And a mermaid is said to claim the life of one man every year. I can’t confirm these since I never entered the water. It has gotten polluted from so many dune buggies and visitors, but there are efforts to reverse this using revolutionary nanotechnology. For visitors this means be conscious of your environment, and sadly, don’t swim in the oasis.
4 Thing to Do in Huacachina
Of course, sandboarding is the name of the game in Huacachina. It’s impossible to not run across a dune buggy + sandboarding tour package while walking in the tiny oasis. The buggy + sandboarding experience costs S/ 45 plus S/ 3.60 in tax. Tours are not available in the middle of the day due to the hot sun and sand.
A more eco-friendly option is to rent a sandboard for S/ 10 an hour. You can walk up the dunes (work those calves!) and sandboard on down. The best time for this is after 5pm. Bring water and put on sunblock for this :)
Huacachina is full of discotecas, bars, and pools. If you look for nightlife or a chill afternoon, you will find it. Also consider visiting Tacama (www.tacama.com) in nearby Ica to learn about one of Peru’s oldest vineyards and popular pisco makers. The 50-minute tour is S/ 20 and includes tastings.
Where to Stay in Huacachina
There are lots of places to stay in Huacachina. Here are a couple popular options:
First, I love the name. Bananas are nutritious, and adventure equals life. This popular spot for backpackers has a pool and bar area and is located right inside the oasis. They provide tour services too.
056-237-129
The Upcycled Hostel is just outside of Huacachina. This colorful, bright building has a reputation of friendly staff and service. Plus, as its name implies, much of the premises is made from recycled materials. There is also a pool and garden area. Win-win!!
The Upcycled Hostel is a 15 minute walk to the actual oasis. They have bikes for renting, too. www.facebook.com/theupcycledhostel/
982-054-725
How to Get There
You have to get to Ica in order to visit Huacachina. From there it is a quick taxi ride to the oasis. Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, Soyuz, and Peru Hop connect Ica with other destinations such as Lima, Paracas (Islas Ballestas), Nazca, Arequipa and Cusco.
| Destination | Trip Length (Hours) | Typical Cost (Soles) |
| Lima | 4-5 | 35-75 |
| Paracas | 1 | 12-37 |
| Nazca | 2.5 | 29-77 |
| Arequipa | 12-13.5 | 110-150 |
| Cusco | 17.5 | 165-177 |
Things to Know for Huacachina
- You can go year-round. So escape the routine anytime!
- It’s always dry and the average temperature is 67 F (19 C), dipping a bit to 60 F (16 C) in June-August. Be sure to bring layers and sunglasses, sunblock, a baseball cap, and swimsuit for the pools :)
- Your shoes will get full of sand if you wear them on the dunes, so use a good pair of sandals instead
Next Steps
Huacachina is a great stop if you visit Southern Peru. Check out my ultimate 10-day itinerary for Peru and this article on Tambopata to plan your trip.
Leave a comment below if you’ve been to Huacachina or are interested in going!!
Stay safe and buen viaje!!
