Is Huacachina Worth Visiting?
Huacachina is well worth the trip, especially if you haven’t seen a desert oasis before. And the best part is, you only need a day or two to see everything it has to offer.
Here are 4 reasons why Huacachina is well worth visiting:
1. It Has One Of The Best Sunsets In Peru
Huacachina is set in the middle of the desert and is surrounded by sand dunes the size of small mountains.
There is one huge dune behind the Wild Rover backpacker hostel which is where you will get the best view of the desert. Each evening you can see backpackers trekking to the top to watch the sunset.
The view from up here is incredible and you can see the rolling dunes for miles. Once the sun starts to set you will be treated to a rare sunset of constantly changing colours as the dunes turn from yellow to orange to red and then finally purple in the twilight.
2. It Has Some Of Peru's Best Adventure Activities
Huacachina is the perfect town for backpackers who love adventure activities.
If you are looking catch some serious air in a dune buggy and sandboard down some of the tallest dunes in South America then Huacachina is a must.
The dune buggy and sandboarding are usually paired together in the same tour. The driver will speed across the dunes and catch some serious air flying over the top of them. Your heart will be in your mouth before landing safely back on the ground – don’t worry, the suspension on these things is incredible.
After a while you will stop at the top of a tall dune and start sandboarding. This is a fun activity, and you can also pick up some serious speed. You can go down on your belly or standing so no need to worry about skill.
These two activities are some of the best you will find in Peru.
If you still need further inspiration as to why you should visit this incredible country, the post below has lots of other reasons why:
3. It's Full Of Great Party Hostels
After all the adrenaline fuelled activities, the only thing left to do in Huacachina is party the night away at some of the craziest party hostels in Peru.
The Wild Rover chain is renowned across South America as one of the best party hostels and the one in Huacachina is no exception. Start the night off here with beer pong and loads of other party games before heading to one of the clubs.
This will be one of the best nights out whilst backpacking through Peru.
For the full list of my favourite party hostels across South America, be sure to check out the post below:
4. Pisco Tours
If you’re looking for something beyond the sand dunes, a Pisco tour is a must.
Just a short drive away, the Ica region is the heart of Peru’s Pisco production, where you can visit traditional vineyards and distilleries to see how this iconic spirit is made.
Tours usually include tastings of different Pisco varieties, from smooth, aromatic blends to stronger, punchier ones.
Many also offer wine tastings, as Ica produces some of Peru’s best sweet wines. You’ll learn about the centuries-old distillation process, wander through sun-soaked vineyards, and even get a glimpse of traditional clay pot fermentation.
Pisco tours are perfect for breaking up the adrenaline of Huacachina with something more laid-back.
Here’s an example to give you an idea:
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How Many Days Do You Need In Huacachina?
I would recommend two days and two nights in Huacachina.
This gives you one day to enjoy the dune buggy tour and sandboarding, and then a second day to just relax by the pool and then climb the dunes to watch the sunset.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the two day itinerary for Huacachina:
- Day 1 – Arrival, dune buggy/sandboarding tour and a night out
- Day 2 – Afternoon by the pool and watching the sunset from the dunes
Get in, tick off all the adrenaline activities, have a night on the town and then get out. With the oppressive heat of the desert and the not-so-great state of the town itself, after two days you will have done everything, and will want to and be on your way.
I only recommend staying a day longer if you want to do a Pisco tour as well.
Travelling other countries in South America apart from Peru? See how you can cross the border into Bolivia to turn this month into an extended South America backpacking trip:
Where To Stay In Huacachina
In my opinion, there are only three options for the best backpacker hostels in Huacachina: Banana’s Adventure, Upcycled Hostel and Wild Rover Huacachina.
The main reason I’ve picked these three is that they all have pools which is essential in the desert heat. However, they are all great hostels in their own right with a social atmosphere, helpful staff and nice dorm rooms.
1. Wild Rover Huacachina
Reasons to stay here:
- The best party hostel in town
- Big pool
Wild Rover has a reputation for being one of the best party hostel chains in South America.
If you’re looking for a great social scene with an even better party – this is your place. The nights are wild, and it’s a great place to meet other travellers.
A night in the biggest dorm room (14 beds) costs around $12 but there isn’t much difference in rooms. If you want one with less people, then a 6 bed dorm costs around $13.
All the rooms have big pod style beds for privacy and large lockers. Just make sure you know what you’re getting yourself in to. The music can be loud, and if you have a dorm near the pool, then you won’t be getting a lot of sleep.
Luckily when I was there, I had a room at the front of the hostel and could hardly hear the noise.
2. Banana's Adventure Hostel
Reasons to stay here:
- The best deals on activities
- Good sized pool
- Great food
Banana’s Adventure has a more laid-back vibe and is my preferred option of the three hostels.
The rooms are small, but there’s a large social area downstairs to relax. They also have sun loungers at the top of the buildings if you’re looking to work on your tan.
The food here is fantastic with so many options, and the menu is filled with traditional Peruvian dishes as well as home comfort foods if that’s something you’re missing. A night costs around $23 but includes a free activity for each night you stay.
If you’re looking to party, then stay at Wild Rover. However, if you’re looking to choose when to party stay at Bananas.
On top of being away from the crazy, you also have a great bonus of a free activity every night you stay with them. This may include the dune buggy tour or the BBQ they have each night. You can enjoy the relaxed vibes here and then just walk over to Wild Rover when you fancy a night out.
Banana Adventures has everything you want from a hostel – great atmosphere, nice rooms and lots of activities to make it feel social.
It will always make it into my overall top list of hostels in South America. For more great hostels across South America, check out the post below:
3. Upcycled Hostel
Reasons to stay here:
- Brand new hostel with a great aesthetic
- Spacious double rooms for couples
- Pool
This is one of the newest hostels in Huacachina, so it looks fantastic! All the rooms are completed to a high standard, and everything is super clean.
An 8-bed dorm is $12 a night.
The outside area is covered in grass and it’s the perfect place to sit back and relax. There’s a small pool and lots of shaded areas with sofas and loungers if you want to escape the sun. All the reviews mentioned how helpful and friendly the staff are and it seems like they are all expert cocktail makers as well.
This is the only hostel on the list that is just outside of Huacachina – a 10-minute walk away along the main road that enters the oasis.
For some this may be ideal, but for others you may want to be in the center so just check the map first before booking.
“Joe saved us so many hours of research and planning. His expertise turned our stress into a clear, custom itinerary we could actually enjoy.”
Maeve & Martin – 6 Weeks In South America
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Struggling with any of this?
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✔ Unsure how to pick the best route
✔ Spending hours researching… and still feeling stuck
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
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You don’t have to figure it out solo.
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How To Get To Huacachina
How To Get From Ica To Huacachina
Big buses can’t enter the town of Huacachina so wherever you are coming from, you will be dropped off in Ica which is a 10-minute drive away.
From here you will need to take a taxi. The taxi should cost $2-4. Make sure you agree a price with taxi driver before hand as they have a habit of trying to rip off backpackers.
How To Get From Lima To Huacachina
Huacachina is a 5 hour bus ride from Lima.
Buses will take you to the bigger town of Ica where you’ll then need to take a 10-minute taxi to the town. The only bus that takes you straight in to Huacachina is Peru Hop.
Buses from Lima cost less than $15 and there are several public bus companies to pick from. I went with Cruz Del Sur due to them having the best reviews.
You can book your bus online or turn up on the day. I’d recommend booking online just to be safe.
Here are two online booking sites to use whilst in Peru:
For more information on transport from Lima, best hostels, activities and more – check out the backpacker guide below with everything you need to know:
How To Get From Paracas To Huacachina
The bus journey from Paracas to Lima takes 2 hours. The big buses will stop in Ica and you then need to take a taxi.
However, you can also find smaller minivans which will take you straight to Huacachina. These cost around $7.
For more information on getting transport from Paracas, check out the backpacker guide with everything you need to know:
How To Get To Arequipa From Huacachina
The journey from Huacachina to Arequipa is over 750km and takes around 20 hours via bus so your best option is to take a night bus.
Again, you will need to go into the town of Ica and book on to one of the buses. There are several different terminals so book through Busbud or Red and then take a taxi to whichever terminal you need.
For more on Arequipa, check out the backpacker guide with everything you need to know:
How To Get To Cusco From Huacachina
You will need to take an overnight bus from Huacachina to Cusco. The road distance is 785km and the bus takes 23-24 hours.
This is a long journey, and I would recommend breaking this up if you can. You could stop off in Arequipa for a few days or even stop at Puno to see Lake Titicaca.
If you need to see an itinerary, then the post below will give you some ideas on the best way to navigate Peru:
How Much Does It Cost To Visit Huacachina?
For a two-day, two-night stay in Huacachina, it should cost you $70-80.
It should cost around $30-40 for two nights’ accommodation in a hostel depending on where you stay. If you stay at Banana Adventures, for two nights that’s $46 but you get free sandboarding and dune buggy tour on one day and a free BBQ on the second so that’s a good amount saved.
This means you have $30-40 to spend on food for two days and then a night out.
For more on budgeting for Peru and South America in general, head to the post below:
“We ended up with a better itinerary than anything a travel agent suggested – and without the hefty price tag!
Jerry & Maria – 5 Weeks In South America
Planning a trip to
Struggling with any of this?
✔ Don’t know where to start planning
✔ Spending hours researching… and still feeling stuck
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo.
I help travellers like you plan custom South America trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
