Although Peru is best known for its magnificent Andes and Amazon, it also has imposing deserts and beaches. And one of the best places to appreciate and enjoy Peru’s desert is the Huacachina Oasis.
This small town has become one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country. Therefore, its visit is one of the best things to do in Peru. Exotic palm trees, mansions, hotels, and exquisite restaurants surround its lush lagoon.
Thus, together with the experts from Machu Travel Peru, we have prepared an article about this wonderful place.
All about visiting Huacachina Oasis in the best form
- Overview
- Location
- History
- Best activities
- What to bring
- How to get there
- Best time to visit
- What to eat
- Where to stay
- Enjoy safe
Overview
Huacachina is the only natural oasis in all South America. Charming mansions, restaurants, palms, and slender dunes surround it. The oasis is in the middle of a desert in southern Lima and 5 kilometers to the west of Ica city.
1. The Oasis
Huacachina is a small lagoon fed by a natural spring, making it the only natural oasis in Latin America. Moreover, it has temperatures around 25 – 30 degrees during the year.
2. The town
The Peruvian upper classes built the town surrounding the oasis as a refuge in the middle of the desert. Today, it has become a tourist destination that is available to all. Its population doesn’t exceed 150 residents.
Crossing the town on foot takes no more than 10 minutes. Going by car will take 20 minutes because of the large number of Vans and tourist transports stationed in the place.
Ancient mansions, charming restaurants, and cozy lodges form the town. Today, most buildings subsist on the tourist industry. Nowadays, the oasis has become one of the best destinations for enjoying summer in Peru.
Without mentioning that huge dunes surround it. These are also the main stages for different tourist activities.
3. What’s means Huacachina?
Its name has two possible derivations of Quechua words. Huaccac Cachi (The one who cries salt). The other meaning can be Huaccacchine (I make you cry).
Either way, these two possible meanings derive from the fantastic legend that surrounds this oasis. You will learn about it in the section “History.”
Location
The oasis is on the Peruvian southern coast in the Ica department. Exactly 307 kilometers from south of Lima, taking the Panamerican highway heading south. Of course, the car trip lasts 04:30 hrs.
If you begin your day trip from Ica, the car trip will last only 5 minutes directly to the oasis.
History
In the ’60s and ’70s, people fervently believed that its waters had healing powers. Therefore, Huacachina became a tourist center for Peruvian upper-class people.
In the 21st century, Peruvian visitors found the oasis a popular destination because of the increased purchasing power in society. Not to mention the favorite places for foreign visitors. And for all people who enjoy the sand, beauty, and adventure of the Peru desert.
A. Two legends of Huacachina
At the main entrance to the Oasis, there is a statue of a mermaid and a wishing well. This reminds us of the story in ancient times. There was a young Inca princess who was extremely beautiful. One day, while brushing her hair and wandering in the desert, she was able to discern a hunter through the reflection of her mirror.
She got scared and ran away from him. She dropped all her dresses. This created the dunes we see today around the oasis. In the same way, she dropped his mirror, which shattered instantly.
And, the pieces originated an oasis. The young woman took advantage of the oasis water to hide from man’s sight.
She waited for a long time and, once in a while, surfaced to see if the hunter was still there. On a certain day, not having feet anymore surprised her. Instead of them, she had a huge fin. Irremediably, this day, she transformed into a mermaid.
Since then, legend has it that the mermaid comes out to the bank on full moon nights to make singles fall in love and take them to her lagoon depth.
This legend is a point that makes Huacachina Oasis one of the most famous places in Peru. Others affirm that an Inca princess mourned the death of a warrior with whom she was in love. When she learned of his death, she ran away into the desert, where she began to cry.
As she cried, her tears fell on the sand and quickly became a small pool (oasis). When she noticed that a fisherman was chasing her, she plunged into the pond where her tears had formed, hiding from him.
Best activities
The oasis is much more popular with young adults seeking an escape from the routine. Moreover, they’ll have the perfect adventure in Peru. Huacachina is especially for adrenaline junkies and thrill-seekers. But, even those who are not interested in these types of activities will find something to enjoy in the same oasis.
There, they can sail over their quiet waters in charming row-boat. This means that there are numerous adventure activities around the oasis. We can mention sandboarding and dune buggying as examples.
1. Sandboarding
Sandboarding is a fun activity that is suitable for all audiences. Many consider it a variant of snowboarding. The only difference is that instead of sliding on snow, we slide down the sand. And depending on your experience on the board, you can enjoy different levels of difficulty.
Even the little ones can slide their own if they wish. The more basic form consists of sliding and lying face down over the board.
Either way, as long as you follow the safety guidelines, you don’t have to worry about hurting yourself. The travel agencies specializing in sandboarding in Paracas offer complete service.
We refer to including the sandboard with a guide to teach you how to slide down the sand. It’s a short class at the same location. In addition, they’ll pick up and transfer to your hotel in Huacachina. And they move you to the top of increasingly large dunes for you to slide over.
2. Dune Buggy
Another popular activity for adrenaline lovers is riding on a Buggy. This tour consists of a wonderful four-wheel dune buggy ride through a vast desert and its giant dunes.
Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping ride and buckle up. Buggy tours climb to the tops of the dunes and then speed down. Most of these tours last approximately two hours and are fairly accessible.
In general, shifts starting at four in the afternoon are the best. Since the heat is not that strong, there is still enough light to see. Also, many tours within Huacachina combine buggy tours and sandboarding. Making them one of the best things to do in Nazca region.
Transportation picks you up from your hotel, along with other passengers, to go to the buggy-sand station. There, you begin an awesome ride over giant dunes at full speed in several routes. Expert drivers who cover the same route 5 or 6 times a day drive these powerful machines.
Finally, you will ride the buggies to the top of the dunes and save yourself an uphill hike. Once on the dune top, you just throw yourself onto your board at full speed and enjoy the sandboarding experience.
3. Paddle Boat
In case you are not a fan of adventure activities, there are other calmer alternatives. For a more relaxed way to spend the afternoon, you can choose to enjoy the lagoon on a Paddle Boat. You will find that there are boat rental options on the shore of the lake.
It is also a great way to enjoy the oasis if you are traveling with children. However, if you were wondering, you can’t swim in the oasis. Unfortunately, the local municipality prohibits it.
4. Climb the dunes
If you are on a tight budget, a hike to the top of the dunes can give you incredible views of the place. Enjoying the beautiful and the best sunset in Peru on top of the dunes. It is one of the best things to do. Make sure to bring your camera, hat, water, and sunscreen!
5. Cerro Blanco
Cerro Blanco is just about 15 kilometers (9 miles) east of Nazca. Within the Nazca Valley, to be more specific. The experts call it the “Everest of the desert.” And they also consider it one of the highest dunes in the world.
Its height is about 2,080 meters above sea level. Professional athletes and fans of adrenaline who seek to enjoy extreme sandboarding visit it. They claim that the sensation is the same as going down a giant roller coaster!
Unfortunately, the only way to get to this dune is by walking. The ascent is constant, and although it may seem easy at first, it later becomes quite demanding. Anyway, the experience is worth every minute.
When you reach the top, you will be able to contemplate from another perspective what the Nazca Valley is. And if you are lucky, you can even see Andean condors flying over the top.
6. Pisco tour
If you are not an adventure junkie, don’t worry. Huacachina Oasis also offers other equally fun tours. Being 5 kilometers from Ica, you can sign up for one of the various tours through the Ica wineries. The Ica region is where the vast majority of Peru’s wine and Pisco comes from.
Pisco is a kind of liquor made with grapes. Thanks to its great flavor, specialists recognize its quality worldwide. Thus, pisco is Peru’s national liquor. For this reason, one of the best things you can do while visiting the Oasis is to tour a nearby vineyard.
You can learn how the Ica people make the famous Pisco through local underground aquifers. Visitors will also see the process of making Peruvian wine. You will be able to enjoy the afternoon tasting a great variety of Piscos and wines.
All while enjoying the wonderful landscapes that surround the wineries. Enjoying a great drink while visiting wineries is a fun way to spend your vacations in Peru. Ica also has some exceptional museums. One of the most interesting is the Regional Museum of Ica.
Here, you can enjoy a fascinating collection of ceramics and mummies. Without mentioning skulls with trepanning belonging to Paracas and Nazca pre-Inca cultures, among others.
What to bring
To enjoy the oasis without worrying about anything, we think it’s important to bring these items with you.
- Carry with you a credit card. The majority of Oasis Huacachina establishments accept debit and credit cards
- Cash for any emergency
- Light clothing
- Cap
- Sunscreen
- Sneakers or tennis
- Shorts
- T. Shirt
- windproof
- Flip-flops
- Sweaters for winter (In any part of the year, the nights are usually very cold)
How to get there
As we tell you, the Huacachina Oasis is about 5 hours south of Lima. It is 10 minutes from the southwest of Ica. Of course, you must follow the Panamerican highway in a southerly direction.
For this reason, getting to the beautiful natural oasis is usually pretty straightforward. Numerous companies depart from Lima to Ica, where they try to provide direct transport to the Oasis.
A. To Huacachina by bus
Tourists can take buses from various Peruvian departments to the Oasis. You can find them in the central bus stations of major cities such as Cusco, Tacna, Arequipa, and others. Buses usually depart daily for Ica, the closest modern Peruvian city to the Oasis. The trip lasts 07 – 08 hours and costs around 80 Soles per person, one way.
Bear in mind that these public services run towards Ica. From there, you will have to take a taxi to Huachachina. The cost of this taxi service can be 15 Soles or more.
In case you are in Lima, or surrounding cities like Paracas or Nazca, the best way to get there is by bus. This service costs around 30 to 40 Soles, one way. Of course, the trip lasts around 03 hours.
There are many daily transport services from the capital of Peru to Ica. Once in Ica, you can take a taxi from its main square to the oasis, which is only five kilometers away. The cost of the taxi is around 5 dollars.
B. To Huacachina by plane
Unfortunately, this Oasis is in the middle of the Peruvian desert. Thus, no plane can arrive at the same attraction. The closest airport is in the town of Pisco. It receives the name of airport Capitan FAP Renán Elías Olivera.
Flights from most Peruvian cities arrive there. The downside is that there are no daily flights to this airport, and the cost can start at $50 per person, one way. From the airport, you can take public minivans to Ica City.
The trips last 2 hours and cost around 30 Soles per person, one way. From Ica, it will be very easy to take a taxi to the Oasis.
Best time to visit
Remember that Huacachina Oasis is in the middle of the south Peruvian desert. So, the weather there is dry and warm, with clear blue skies and hard sun rays most of the year. However, between January to March, the climate reaches more than 90ª F.
Therefore, many consider it the best time to visit Huacachina. On the other hand, between May to August, the Peruvian region experiences winter, with its lowest temperature. But don’t worry, because the temperature usually never drops below 75º F.
Be that as it may, as you can see, any moment is the best time to visit the Oasis. This is its differential advantage over other attractions.
Where to eat
You can find both fancy and traditional choices in this lovely Oasis. Please note that Oasis is a town that never sleeps. In other words, its restaurant and bar open early in the evening and don’t close before 4:00 am.
So you will find a lot of life, color, and music. For this reason, if you want to rest, we recommend you stay as far as possible from the center of the Oasis village.
1. Desert Nights
An American restaurant located in the middle of the Oasis region. The restaurant offers traditional Peruvian food like Ceviche or Lomo Saltado. Without mentioning, American delights include hamburgers, pizzas, pasta, French toast, and fries. The business is the only one that accepts credit and debit cards as a method of payment.
Address: Huacachina Boulevard, Ica department, Peru.
2. Nuna Cocina Bar
This restaurant combines the best of Peruvian and international gastronomy with a vegetarian option. The dishes are delicious and inexpensive. It is right in front of the oasis.
Address: In front of the oasis, Huacachina 11000, Ica, Peru.
3. Casa de Bamboo
The Bamboo House is the cheapest among restaurants on this list. They serve interesting and delicious dishes from Peruvian and International cuisine. Even they offer exotic dishes like Curry, stir-fry, or falafel. In the same way, they have a great variety of vegetarian options.
Address: Perotti Avenue w/n, Ica Peru. Next to the Suiza Hostel and in front of the Bananas Hostel.
4. Wild Olive Trattoria & Guesthouse
This fantastic restaurant specializes in Italian cuisine. So they always guarantee the Lasagna and the Pizzas! Also, it has a great offer of vegetarian options and is open almost all day, in this sense, they serve breakfast, lunches, and dinner.
Address: Malecón José Picasso Peratta 154, Huacachina resort, Ica Peru.
Where to stay
Being a destination so frequented by tourists, the accommodation options are varied.
- The Pension Wile Olive is a popular alternative for backpackers.
- However, the Huacachinero Hotel is a great option for more luxurious hotels because of its outdoor pool.
- We also recommend checking out Hotel Curasi, a 3-star with comfortable facilities.
- Our last recommendation is the Wild Rover Hostel for those who are searching for cheap, good, and nice lodges.
And being so close to the city of Ica, you can also choose to stay in this city. Both sites are only a 10-minute drive away. Keep in mind that Huacachina is in the middle of a popular tourist route that connects Lima.
On the way, you will see vineyards, Nazca lines, Paracas National Reserve, Ballestas Islands, and Arequipa. From there, you can take advantage of these destinations.
Enjoy safe
Huacachina is a safe town. Many restaurants, discos, and bars work until late at night. Most of them work even until 5:00 am. So, the town in the evenings is usually boisterous.
If you want peace and tranquility, we recommend you stay far from the downtown. The agencies develop adventure tours in the same sand dunes in Huacachina. Thus, the tour operators in the oasis town offer these kinds of services.
Of course, these include guides-instructors for your security. Besides, every tour includes necessary secure equipment like safety belts and helmets, among others. For this reason, you can rest assured about the services and locals in Oasis.
The majority of establishments around the Oasis accept debit or credit cards. However, carrying some cash (we recommend Soles) will always be helpful in case of an emergency.
“FAITH IS AN OASIS IN THE HEART WHICH WILL NEVER BE REACHED BY THE CARAVAN OF THINKING”
As you can see, any tourist must not overlook this wonderful place. Especially if you plan to go through places like Nazca, Paracas, Ballestas, or Ica. We hope to have explained the Oasis guide manual 2024 in detail with the help of experts from Machu Travel Peru.
We think the best way to explore this fascinating place is with a knowledgeable travel guide by your side. If you want to start organizing your trip to this beautiful oasis, consult our qualified advisors. They will be happy to help you make the trip of your dreams come true.
Peru has so much to offer, it can be hard to know where to start. With many years of experience in the tourism sector, Machu Travel Peru is happy to help with anything regarding your trip to Machu Picchu and any tours around it. Make your Machu Picchu experience an unforgettable one!
