Huacachina: How To Visit Peru's Desert Oasis Town In Style

Known for its scorching deserts and towering sand dunes, the oasis town of Huacachina is quickly becoming one of Peru’s hottest destinations to visit.

Just a few hours south of Lima, Huacachina offers something truly unique - a shimmering desert lagoon surrounded by 500-meter dunes, boutique hotels, private pools, and unforgettable sunset views - and as a result is the perfect hot weather escape from Lima’s coastline. Given how easy it is to visit Huacachina from Lima, it’s worth diving deeper into this oasis town, and look at whether it’s worth fitting into your own Peru vacation plans.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the destination of Huacachina. This includes why it’s worth visiting, the best things to see and do nearby, as well as whether it’s worth staying here or only visiting as a day trip from Lima. We’ll also answer your most frequently asked questions in our FAQ section later on.

Why Huacachina Is Worth Visiting During Your Luxury Peru Vacation

Enjoy Striking Desert Landscapes With Minimal Effort 

Huacachina is a very small town, meaning we can easily walk everywhere within just a few minutes. Within the desert oasis we can find both boutique stays and luxury hotels, meaning we can enjoy incredible views of the giant dunes while relaxing by the pool or dining inside. You can also enjoy walks over some of the nearby dunes for impressive views of the Ica Desert, or head on a more adventurous sand buggy ride which heads deeper into the desert.

Visit Peru’s Very Best Wineries And Pisco Distilleries

Huacachina and the surrounding Ica region are famous for their unique terroir, and as a result produce some of the very best wine blends in all of Peru. It’s easy to organize a winery tour where you can visit historical estates and bodegas such as Tacama and Bodega Vista Alegre, which are famous for their concentrated productions and include on-site tastings. Don’t forget to try Pisco too while here in the Ica region - which is the national drink of Peru - which could easily count as one of the best experiences to have when in Lima, as well as when heading further south within Ica itself.

Head On A Dune Buggy Ride At Sunset

Those who are after a more action-packed adventure can also find it in spades here in Huacachina. Throughout the morning until the late afternoon, there are dune buggy ride tours that take tourists deeper into the desert, where you’ll whip around dunes while in the safe hands of expert drivers. There’s also the opportunity to go sandboarding for those who want a more adventurous experience. The best time to head on a tour is in the early afternoon, where you’ll finish off by heading up a tall dune to watch the sunset.

Explore The Nearby Destinations Within The Ica Region 

While Huacachina remains one of the most famous destinations in the deserts south of Lima, there are other notable places worth visiting. This includes Paracas, which is famous for its Ballestas Islands, and is home to over 200 species of birds, Sea Lions and the endemic Humboldt Penguin. Paracas as a town has a laidback coastal atmosphere and great seafood, while the beach of La Mina - ranked as one of Peru’s very best - is also just a stone’s throw away.

Visiting Huacachina: Staying Here Vs Coming As A Day Trip From Lima

Huacachina is located roughly 4 hours south of Lima, which means it’s possible to both visit as a day trip from the Peruvian capital, or opt to stay nearby.

Tourists who prefer relaxation can stay inside Huacachina which has various hotels and restaurants, which is ideal given everything is so close together. Another popular option is to stay in nearby Paracas which is an hour away - as there is more of a variety of luxury hotels here, such as Hotel Paracas. From here you can easily take a taxi or other private transportation to visit Huacachina, various wineries and the surrounding Ica Desert.

Alternatively you can visit Huacachina as a day trip from Lima, which is ideal for tourists who are short on time. Setting off early in the day, you’ll have plenty of time to explore Huacachina and the desert - and is sometimes coupled with visits to Paracas and an overflight of the Nazca Lines. Here 

at The Luxury Peru Travel Company we can arrange either a stay at a luxury hotel within Huacachina or nearby Paracas - or alternatively a private and comfortable day trip from Lima if you prefer - when booking your Peru vacation with us.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Huacachina 

Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about Huacachina in Peru, as well as anything else important that you need to know.

Is Huacachina Peru Worth Visiting?

If you love scenic landscapes, then visiting Huacachina is very much worth it. Surrounded by dunes as tall as 500m (1,600ft), this oasis town is perfect for relaxing by the pool with hot daytime temperatures, while enjoying arguably some of Peru’s best locally-sourced wines. The nearby Ballestas Islands can easily be visited from Huacachina, while those who want high-octane adventure can enjoy a memorable dune buggy ride here.

What Is Special About Huacachina?

Given its tiny size and central scenic blue lagoon surrounded by giant orange dunes, this town looks something straight out of a sci-fi film. A walk up one of the two large dunes either side of Huacachina allows us to fully take-in this unique town - and especially during its famous red sunsets - while tourists can also head on a memorable sandboarding and dune buggy ride through the Ica Desert.

Can You Walk Up The Dunes In Huacachina?

Yes - people are allowed to walk up the giant dunes that surround Huacachina - however it’s important to remember a couple of important considerations before taking the short hike up. Firstly we highly suggest walking up these dunes either in the morning or late afternoon, as to avoid walking during the hot daytime temperatures. Secondly, be sure to apply high SPF sunscreen, as well as to bring plenty of water with you.

Overview Of Huacachina In Peru

And that’s all for this guide on the desert oasis town of Huacachina, and why it’s worth visiting during your Peru vacation.

A perfect destination for both luxury travelers who want to relax poolside by towering desert dunes, and travel adventurists who want novel experiences, Huacachina is a great addition to any itinerary around Peru. Thankfully it’s also very close to Lima, meaning you can easily explore the town, surrounding desert and other destinations like Paracas and the Ballestas Islands with ease.

Here at The Luxury Peru Travel Company, we have decades of experience crafting fully customised Peru vacations. Get in touch with our expert tour planners today, and make your dream trip a reality with us.