Major city · Peru
Huacachina
Visit Huacachina for a half‑day sand‑boarding or buggy tour, plus a quick walk around the lagoon; one full day is enough.
Huacachina is a tiny desert oasis centred on a lagoon surrounded by dunes. Most activities – dune buggy, sandboarding, lagoon walk – fit into a single day; extra time only adds optional winery tours in Ica.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jan–Mar (cold nights, occasional fog)
- Airport
- ICA
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Peru ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Peru's migration authority (Migraciones) or a Peruvian consulate; keep the entry record you receive, as hotels may ask for it.
- Peru ↗Machu Picchu entry is by timed ticket for a named circuit, with daily caps; in high season tickets sell out weeks or months ahead. Buy tickets only from the official Ministry of Culture seller or a licensed agency.
- Peru ↗The classic Inca Trail needs a permit booked through a licensed operator, often months ahead; the trail closes every February for maintenance.
- Peru ↗Altitude sickness is common above 2,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on day one, and ask a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Huacachina105 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Huacachina, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/).Peru-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.Peru-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Peru-wide
- TippingRestaurants: About 10% if service is not included.Peru-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Peru-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; watch for hot sand, stay hydrated, use licensed taxis.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.Peru-wide
- Emergency numbers105 police · 116 fire · 106 SAMU ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; strikes can shut roads and shops.Peru-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportICA Ica Airport (Small regional airport about 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Huacachina; limited flights, mainly domestic.).ICA Ica Airport (Small regional airport about 9.3 mi (15 km) north of Huacachina; limited flights, mainly domestic.).
- Getting aroundThe oasis is walkable in minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a caféS/4–6
- Budget bedPrivate room, a night, per roomPEN 35
- Mid-range bedPrivate room, a night, per roomPEN 55
- High-end bedPrivate room, a night, per roomPEN 80
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 35 · Mid PEN 65 · High PEN 120
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ICA Ica Airport (Small regional airport about 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Huacachina; limited flights, mainly domestic.)ICA Ica Airport (Small regional airport about 9.3 mi (15 km) north of Huacachina; limited flights, mainly domestic.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Feb
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Mar
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Jan (2 rain days), driest Apr (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Huacachina: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2 rd
Feb
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Dec
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The oasis is walkable in minutes. Taxis from Ica cost S/10 one‑way; within Ica moto‑taxis S/1.5. No public buses to the oasis.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ica bodegas
goDoor to door: 30 min total
Taxi from Huacachina, ~10 min
Free tours at Catador; other bodegas charge small fee.
Paracas
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h
Bus from Ica, about 1 h 30 min
Longer trip; consider overnight if adding Ballestas Islands.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Casa de Arena
Dorm S/20–25, private rooms S/30–35; pool, bar, buggy discounts.
Desert Nights Youth Hostel
Clean dorms, Wi‑Fi, restaurant; S/25 per night.
Las Dunas Hotel
Upscale, pool, lawns; higher price, quiet.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- S/30–45 excl. bed
- Mid
- S/50–80 excl. bed
- High
- S/100+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Dormitory bed1 × 1 night × PEN 30 | PEN 30 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × PEN 65 | PEN 65 |
| Dune buggy + sandboarding (2 h)1 × PEN 55 · check | PEN 55 |
| Taxi Ica ↔ Huacachina1 × PEN 12 · check | PEN 12 |
| eSIM data (1 week)1 × PEN 45 · check | PEN 45 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PEN 21 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 228 per person per day, bed included | PEN 228 |
2026 estimate in soles; flights and long‑distance buses excluded.
Prices of common things
| Paddle boat hire (30 min) | S/5–8 |
| Sandboard rental (hour) | S/5–7 |
| Dune buggy tour (2 h) | S/45–55 |
| Taxi Ica → Huacachina | S/10 |
| Coffee at a café | S/4–6 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Tourist fee S/3.60 per day for lagoon/dune access (Nov 2023).
- Heat and sand can cause dehydration – bring water and sunscreen.
- Nighttime taxi fares rise to S/12–14; use licensed taxis with rooftop sign.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- SAMU ambulance
- 106
Pocket card
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HuacachinaHuacachina
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- SAMU ambulance106
Embassy
US consulate in Lima; nearest embassy for most countries is in Lima.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Ica → Huacachina: about S/10, 10 min (check)
- Dune buggy + sandboarding (2 h): ≈ S/50 per person (check)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost?
- Agua, por favor — Water, please
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Huacachina. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Jan–Mar (cold nights, occasional fog) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a dune‑buggy or sand‑boarding tour (≈S/50) for full adventure.
- Combine with a winery visit in Ica for a cultural side‑trip.
Sources
Ask about Huacachina
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