Major city · Peru
Ica
Spend 1–2 days in Ica: one day for Huacachina oasis and sandboarding, plus a half‑day for the Regional Museum and a winery.
Ica is a desert‑climate city about 4–5 h by bus from Lima. Its main draws are the Huacachina oasis with sand dunes, the archaeology museum, and nearby vineyards producing Pisco and wine. A short stay covers the highlights; longer trips can add day trips to Nazca or the Palpa bridge area.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (dry, milder temperatures)
- avoid May–Sep (hotter, occasional rain)
- Airport
- ICA
- Nights
- 1–2
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 Ica105 ▾
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 Ica, 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
- SafetyDaytime visits are safe; avoid walking alone after dark, especially near the plaza.
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 Mayor General FAP Carlos Martínez de Ica Airport (Domestic flights; limited schedule).
- Getting aroundTaxis are safest at night; city centre is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealMeal at Mc Grill (set menu)S/25–35
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entryS/10
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personPEN 30
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomPEN 350
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomPEN 600
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 40 · Mid PEN 70 · 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 Mayor General FAP Carlos Martínez de Ica Airport (Domestic flights; limited schedule)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Feb
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: May–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ica: 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
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0 rd
Feb
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0 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
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0 rd
Dec
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 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
Taxis are safest at night; city centre is walkable. Buses connect to Huacachina (≈ 5 km) and Nazca (≈ 2 h).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Huacachina
goDoor to door: ≈ 30 min total
Taxi or local bus 5 km (3.1 mi), 10–15 minTaxi or local bus 3.1 mi (5 km), 10–15 min
Sandboarding and dune buggy tours available.
Nazca
cautionDoor to door: ≈ 3 h
Bus 2–3 h, S/13 (May 2023 price)
Check bus schedule; bridge works may cause delays.
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.
Hotel Ollanta
Family‑run, near city centre and Huacachina.
Mc Hotel Ica
Three‑star, pool, 24‑h reception; rooms from S/240.
Las Dunas Hotel
Resort style, 10 min from downtown; US$80–200 per night.
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/40–70 excl. bed
- Mid
- S/70–120 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel double1 × 1 night × PEN 350 | PEN 350 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × PEN 70 | PEN 140 |
| Taxi to Huacachina (round trip)2 × PEN 30 · check | PEN 60 |
| Bus Lima‑Ica (one way)2 × PEN 120 · check | PEN 240 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PEN 79 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 435 per person per day, bed included | PEN 869 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Pisco Sour | S/15–25 |
| Sandboarding session | S/30–50 |
| Museum entry | S/10 |
| Meal at Mc Grill (set menu) | S/25–35 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Nighttime streets can be unsafe; use taxis or stay in hotel.
- Palpa bridge construction may add > 1 h delay on Lima‑Nazca road (check).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- SAMU ambulance
- 106
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
IcaIca
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 Peruvian embassy in Washington, D.C.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Lima → Ica bus: about S/120, 4–5 h (check)
- Taxi Ica → Huacachina: ≈ S/30 round trip
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (disˈkulpe)
- Gracias — Thank you (graˈθjas)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwanˈto ˈkwesta)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (pweˈðo paˈɣar kon taˈxeta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the toilet? (ˈdonde esˈta el ˈβaɲo)
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 Ica. 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: Oct–Apr (dry, milder temperatures) · avoid May–Sep (hotter, occasional rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a winery tour (Pisco or wine) for an extra half‑day.
- Combine Ica with a night in Huacachina for desert experience.
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Ica
- secondaryWikivoyage: Ica, revision 5237590 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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