Huacachina is a picturesque oasis surrounded by towering sand dunes, making it a true desert paradise in Peru. After having visited twice, I share here some of the best things to do in Huacachina.
Planning your trip to Huacachina?
Don’t miss out on the best things to do around this oasis!
Best tours and activities in Huacachina:
1. Dune buggy and sandboarding (the most popular tour in Huacachina)
2. Luxury picnic on the dunes at sunset + dune buggy tour
3. Vineyard tour and pisco tasting
4. Explore Los Perdidos Canyon
5. Fly over the enigmatic Nazca lines
6. Ballestas islands and the Paracas National Reserve tour
Not enough time? Book a full day tour from Lima!
1. Ballestas Islands and Huacachina in 1 day
2. Ballestas islands, Huacachina and Nazca lines in 1 day
Best hotels in Huacachina:
1. Huacachina Desert Overnight Glamping Experience (Amazing experience. Includes meals and activities)
2. DM Mossone Ica (Mid-range)
3. Wild Rover Huacachina (Budget. Party vibe.)
4. Desert Nights Hostel (Budget)
Huacachina is a unique place: it’s the only oasis in South America. It’s the perfect destination for a couple of days’ stay, or for a day trip from Lima.
What to do in Huacachina:
Huacachina offers a variety of activities for all types of travelers. From adrenaline-pumping adventures to more relaxed and romantic experiences, there’s something for everyone. Here are some of the top things to do in Huacachina. Some of them are at Huacachina itself or very near Huacachina, while the flight over the Nazca lines and the visit to Paracas are good day trips from Huacachina.
1. Sandboarding
If you’re looking for an adrenaline-fueled activity, sandboarding is a must-try experience and one of the best things to do in Huacachina. The massive sand dunes surrounding the village offer a perfect playground for thrill-seekers. There are a few options for sandboarding, including stand-up boarding or lying down on a board like snowboarding. It’s a lot of fun, but be prepared to fall a few times.
This is the most popular activity in Huacachina. Don’t miss it, book a sandboarding tour here! The tour includes a dune buggy ride.
2. Dune buggy tours
Feel the adrenaline rush with a dune buggy tour in Huacachina! These tours offer a thrilling ride through the massive sand dunes while giving you breathtaking views of the desert landscape. Buggies can reach high speeds and can be bumpy, making it a thrilling adventure.
I definitely don’t enjoy rollercoasters, and while the buggy ride had a similar feeling I had a great time! Also, if you normally get nauseaous or dizzy like I do at rollercoasters, I would not be so worried, at least I felt perfectly fine at the dune buggy.
Geberally, tours also combine dune buggy rides with sandboarding for a whole afternoon of fun.
Book a dune buggy + sandboarding tour here.
3. Watching the sunset from a sand dune
Huacachina’s location provides for some of the most stunning sunsets you’ll ever see. The sun sets over the sand dunes, casting a warm, orange glow across the desert landscape. Walk up a dune and find a comfortable spot to watch the sun go down.
4. Have a luxury picnic at sunset:
If you’re looking for a romantic and unique experience in the Huacachina desert, a luxury sunset picnic is the perfect option.
The adventure begins with an exciting dune buggy tour, stopping along the way to enjoy sandboarding and take pictures.
After an hour, you’ll arrive at a stunning picnic area equipped with comfortable tents, lamps, flowers, cushions, and candles. Indulge in a delicious array of sweet and savory appetizers and sip on wine or champagne as you watch the sun dip below the horizon and bask in the beauty of the desert.
This magical moment will be an unforgettable experience and one of the best things you will do in Huacachina. You can book this awesome picnic here.
Tip: they also organize marriage proposals in case you are looking for a unique place to propone.
5. Take tour of the Pisco vineyards and distilleries
Pisco is a small town located just a short distance from Huacachina, and it is famous for its production of Pisco, a traditional Peruvian liquor.
For those who are looking to experience the delicious local drink of Peru, the Pisco tour is a must-do activity in Huacachina. It was actually one of my favorite activities in my last trip to Huacachina.
I recommend you take this pisco tour from Huacachina, which takes you to two of the most famous vineyards in the region – Tacama and El Catador.
At this tour, the first stop is the Tacama vineyard. This is one of the oldest vineyards in South America, dating back to the 16th century. You’ll get to explore the historic hacienda and tower for a stunning view of the acres of grapes. Then, you’ll learn about the modern wine and pisco-making process at the factory before indulging in some tastings of their delicious piscos and wines.
Next, you will head over to El Catador. There you’ll learn more about the traditional process of making pisco. This tour offers a unique opportunity to understand and taste the rich history and culture of Peru’s famous liquor.
Book a vineyard and pisco tour in Huacachina here.
6. Discover the wonders of the Los Perdidos Canyon
A visit to Los Perdidos Canyon (Canyon of the Lost Ones) is a unique and exciting tour through the desert. This breathtaking canyon is one of the largest in Peru and is surrounded by towering walls that have been formed over millions of years of evolution. I recommend taking this highly rated tour to the Canyon that departs from Huacachina and drops you off there at the end.
Once there, you will be able to get up close and personal with the history of the canyon. You will be able to appreciate the fascinating animal bones of marine species trapped on the walls of the volcano.
I recommend this tour for adventure-seekers and those who aren’t afraid of heights. The climb up and down the canyon can be steep and challenging, but the views from the top are worth it. You will be able to get some unique photos! For a lot of people, this tour is one of the best things to do in Huacachina.
At last, you will end the tour on a high note with a wine and pisco tasting. The perfect way to unwind after an unforgettable day in the desert!
Book a tour to Los Perdidos Canyon.
7. Fly over the Nazca lines
The Nazca Lines, a series of mysterious geoglyphs located in the Nazca Desert of southern Peru, have been a subject of wonder for centuries. These lines, some of which stretch for miles, depict intricate designs that can only be fully appreciated from the air. The most famous of these designs include the hummingbird, the monkey, the spider, and the tree.
Despite numerous theories, no one knows for sure who made the Nazca Lines or why. Some believe that they were used for astronomical purposes, while others think they may have had religious or spiritual significance.
I recommend you this tour to fly over the Nasca lines from Huacachina. The tour starts with a 2-hour drive to Nazca airport. During the drive, you will have desert and ocean views. Once at the airport, you will hop on a 35-minute flight to see the Nazca Lines from above. After the flight, you will visit the “Palpa” viewpoint to see additional lines.
While it’s an unforgettable and once in a lifetime experience, if you get dizzy easily like I do, you might want to think twice about going. As you can see in the picture, the plane is small and it goes sideways at times so that you can look at the lines. .
At the end of the tour, you can either choose to stay in Nazca to continue your travels or being dropped off back at Huacachina to enjoy more of the oasis and dunes.
Book a tour to fly over the Nazca lines here.
8. Visit the Ballestas Islands and the Paracas Reserve
Take an adventure to explore the beauty of the Ballestas Islands and Paracas Reserve, which great day trips from Huacachina. The easiest way would be to take a tour, and I recommend to take this tour to Ballestas and Paracas that picks you up and drops you off at Huacachina.
First, they will take you to Paracas. There you will hop on a speedboat for a journey to see the famous Candelabro, a mysterious symbol carved into sand on dune along the sea, that has yet to be fully understood.
Then, from the boat, you will admire the rich wildlife of the Ballestas Islands, where you’ll find seals basking in the sun and penguins diving into the waves to hunt. Keep an eye out for Inca Terns and Blue-Footed Boobies as you explore the rocky shores (this is a great trip if you are into birdwatching like I am! I have been many times to the islands and I would go again whenever I have the chance).
Next, you will visit the otherworldly landscapes of the Paracas National Reserve. You will be able to discover towering sandstone cliffs, sprawling deserts, and beautiful isolated beaches.
From there, you will get dropped-off at your hotel.
Book a to Ballestas and the Paracas reserve here.
Going from Huacachina to Paracas by yourself
Going by yourself from Huacachina to Paracas is also possible.
You need to take a taxi from Huacachina to Ica (a 10-minute ride). From Ica, you need to take a bus to Paracas, which takes 1 hour.
The only issue is that you have to make sure to catch an early bus not to miss the boats to Ballestas, which depart 8am and 10am, and the ride lasts for two hours.
Afterwards, if you want to visit the Paracas National Reserve, you would have to find a tour agency, to take you there, and tours depart usually around 11am. You can’t really visit the reserve by yourself unless you have a car, since it’s in the middle of the desert.
So even though it’s totally possible to do this day trip by yourself, in the end you would still end up hiring a tour agency to visit the reserve.
How to get to Huacachina from Lima:
1) By Tour
If you don’t have enough time, you can do it in a day trip from Lima. The tours include transportation and guide, and accommodation, making it a hassle-free way to explore the oasis and the surrounding area.
I recommend you this highly-rated full day tour from Lima. This tour will take you first to the Ballestas Islands in Paracas, and which will then continue to Huacachina. In Huacachina, you will dune buggy up and sandboard down the dunes.
Or if you are up for an even more unforgettable, but also more packed and longer day, consider taking this other full day tour from Lima. They will take you to the Ballestas Islands, Huacachina (including time for sandboarding) and even flying over the Nazca lines!
Book the Ballestas Islands and Huacachina in 1 day tour here.
Book the Ballestas Islands, Huacachina and Nazca lines 1 day tour here.
2) By Bus
For those who prefer to have a more independent and budget-friendly trip, taking a bus from Lima is an excellent option. You will have to take a bus to Ica, and from there take a short 10-minute taxi ride to Huacachina. The journey to Ica takes about 4 and a half hours and it’s possible to book a bus ticket in advance.
Once you arrive in Huacachina, you’ll have the freedom to explore the town and the nearby attractions at your own pace.
Where to say in Huacachina?
These are some of the best options. Whether you are looking for glamping, a party hostel or a central and more quiet hotel, you will find everything at this oasis.
1. Huacachina Desert Overnight Glamping Experience:
For a unique and luxurious experience, you can’t go wrong with glamping. Stay in a fully-equipped tent with all the amenities you need. The price includes an excursion to the Huacachina oasis, dinner, a private chef and waiter, alcoholic beverages, a dune buggy tour, sandboarding, and breakfast.
You can book you glamping experience here.
2. DM Mossone Ica:
A historic 3-star hotel located right in front of the Huacachina Oasis. This is a gem from the early 20th century and one of the oldest hotels in Peru. This hotel boasts beautiful gardens and offers a delicious breakfast buffet for guests.
3. Wild Rover Huacachina:
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that also has a social vibe, Wild Rover Huacachina is a good choice. They offer both shared dorms and private rooms, as well as a swimming pool. Just be aware that there may be loud music at night if you’re a light sleeper.
4. Desert Nights Hostel:
For a more basic and centrally located option, Desert Nights Hostel is a good choice. They have clean shared dorms and private rooms available.
How Long to Stay in Huacachina?
Well, it depends on what you want to do and see. Ultimately, the length of your stay in Huacachina will depend on your personal travel style, interests, and budget.
If you’re interested in experiencing the main activities that Huacachina has to offer, like sandboarding, dune buggy tours, watching the sunset, having a luxury picnic at sunset and visiting the Pisco vineyards, then we recommend staying for two days.
But, if you want to combine your trip to Huacachina with visits to the Paracas, the Nazca Lines and the Canyon of the Lost Ones, then you may want to consider staying for five days.
The Best Time to Visit Huacachina
Huacachina is a year-round destination, but the best time to go depends on what you’re looking for.
The summer months are December to April. During this time, temperatures reach up to 30°C (~86F). While it might be very hot for some it’s still a good temperature to enjoy sandboarding and the dune buggy tours.
If you’re looking for cooler temperatures and not so many tourists, the shoulder seasons from May to June, and from September to November, are the best. During these months, temperatures are milder, averaging around 20°C (~68F). The crowds will be fewer, providing a more peaceful and relaxed atmosphere.
In conclusion, Huacachina is a desert oasis that offers a unique blend of adrenaline, relaxation and luxury. Whether you’re looking for a thrill with sandboarding and dune buggy tours, or simply want to take in the breathtaking views of the sunset, Huacachina has something for everyone. I hope that this Huacachina travel guide will be useful for you.
