Ica, Peru: travel guide
Desert oasis region of southern Peru — the palm-ringed Huacachina lagoon with dune buggies and sandboarding, plus pisco bodegas and proximity to the Paracas marine reserve.
- Country
- Peru
- Currency
- PEN
- Time zone
- America/Lima
Top places to visit in Ica
Laguna de Huacachina
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h
South America's only natural desert oasis — a palm-fringed lagoon fed by underground aquifers, ringed by towering sand dunes. The iconic centerpiece of the Ica region and base for dune-buggy and sandboarding adventures.
Huacachina Sand Dunes
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 2 h
Massive coastal sand dunes surrounding the Huacachina oasis, among the largest in South America. The playground for dune-buggy rides and sandboarding, and a spectacular spot to watch the sunset over a sea of sand.
Museo Regional de Ica Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins
Museum · 4.2 rating · about 1.3 h · entry PEN 15
Ica's regional museum, founded 1947, holding outstanding Paracas textiles, Nazca ceramics, mummies and the famous elongated/trepanned skulls of pre-Columbian Peru. A must for understanding the cultures behind the nearby Nazca Lines.
Bodega El Catador
Cultural · 4.1 rating · about 1.5 h
Traditional family-run winery and pisco distillery operating since 1856, on the Pisco Route outside Ica. Tour the colonial-era pressing yards and clay-pot stills and taste artisanal piscos and wines.
Bodega Tacama
Cultural · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h
Peru's oldest vineyard, with colonial-era hacienda buildings and belfries overlooking the vines. Tours cover wine and pisco production and end with tastings; you can climb the bell tower for valley views.
Bodega Vista Alegre
Cultural · 3.9 rating · about 1.3 h · entry PEN 5
Large industrial winery on the outskirts of Ica producing millions of litres of pisco and wine annually. Guided visits explain modern distillation and end with a tasting; an easy stop on the Pisco Route.
Cachiche (Pueblo de las Brujas)
Cultural · 4.0 rating · about 0.8 h
A village 4 km from Ica famous for its legends of healing witches who fled the Spanish Inquisition. The mystical hamlet is marked by the much-photographed seven-headed palm tree and a statue of the witch.
Plaza de Armas de Ica
Heritage · 4.0 rating · about 0.5 h
Ica's palm-lined main square, anchored by an obelisk and bronze fountains, surrounded by the cathedral and municipal buildings. The social heart of the city, lively in the evenings.
Catedral de Ica
Church · 4.0 rating · about 0.5 h
Ica's 18th-century cathedral on the main square, known for its neoclassical interior and ornate wooden pulpit. Damaged in the 2007 earthquake and since restored.
Santuario del Señor de Luren
Church · 4.1 rating · about 0.5 h
Ica's most venerated sanctuary, home to the image of the Señor de Luren, focus of major October processions. The original church collapsed in the 2007 quake and was rebuilt.
Mirador de Huacachina
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 1 h
The high dune ridges above the oasis offer sweeping viewpoints over the lagoon and palms set against an endless desert. The premier sunset-watching spot in Huacachina.
Huacachina Lagoon Boardwalk
Heritage · 4.2 rating · about 0.7 h
The palm-shaded promenade encircling the Huacachina lagoon, lined with cafés, bars and craft stalls. A relaxed stroll with reflections of the dunes on the water.
Things to do
- Dune Buggy & Sandboarding Tour Adventure · 2.5 h · from PEN 70 per person
- Pisco & Wine Bodega Tour Cultural · 4 h · from PEN 90 per person
- Sunset Dune Hike Hiking · 1.5 h
- Huacachina Lagoon Paddleboat Boat · 0.7 h · from PEN 30 per person
- Museo Regional de Ica Visit Cultural · 1.3 h · from PEN 15 per person
- Cachiche Witches Village Tour Cultural · 1.5 h · from PEN 40 per person
- Buggy Sunrise & Stargazing Tour Adventure · 3 h · from PEN 110 per person
Day trips and tours
- Paracas Reserve & Ballestas Islands Day Trip 9 h · from PEN 180
- Ica Pisco Route Half-Day Tour 4 h · from PEN 90
- Nazca Lines Scenic Flight 8 h · from PEN 750
Where to stay in Ica
- Huacachina about PEN 55 per night
The palm-fringed desert oasis village — dune-buggy and sandboard hub ringed by giant dunes, 5 min from Ica.
Hotels
- Hotel Curasi 3-star · PEN 160 to PEN 300 per night
- Hotel Mossone 4-star · PEN 280 to PEN 520 per night
- Carola del Sur Hotel 2-star · PEN 90 to PEN 180 per night
- Banana's Adventure Hostel 3-star · PEN 40 to PEN 170 per night
- Wild Rover Huacachina 2-star · PEN 45 to PEN 160 per night
- Desert Nights Hostel 2-star · PEN 35 to PEN 130 per night
Where to eat
- Wild Olive Trattoria Italian, Peruvian, Pizza · about PEN 45 per person
- Restaurant Oasis de América Peruvian, Seafood · about PEN 40 per person
- La Casa de Bamboo International, Asian, Vegetarian · about PEN 30 per person
- Desert Nights Restaurant International, Peruvian, Cafe · about PEN 28 per person
- Casa de Arena Restaurant Peruvian, Barbecue, Grill · about PEN 50 per person
- El Buen Paladar Peruvian, Criollo · about PEN 25 per person
- Mayo Ica Peruvian · about PEN 18 per person
- Arturos Tavern Peruvian, International, Bar · about PEN 42 per person
Getting around
- Car With Driver main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Unlicensed dune-buggy operators
Huacachina dune buggy stands
Cheap, unregistered buggy operators run rides in poorly maintained vehicles without proper roll cages, seatbelts or insurance. There have been serious accidents on the dunes.
How to avoid it: Book through reputable hostels/operators, check for roll cage and working seatbelts, and avoid the cheapest street touts.
Overpriced sandboard rental
Huacachina lagoon area
Vendors rent sandboards separately at inflated prices to travellers who do not realise boards are normally included in the buggy tour.
How to avoid it: Confirm sandboard rental is included in your buggy tour before paying; do not pay twice.
Taxi overcharging from the bus terminal
Ica bus terminals (Soyuz, Cruz del Sur)
Taxi drivers at the terminal quote tourists several times the normal fare to Huacachina, especially at night.
How to avoid it: Agree the fare first (Ica-Huacachina is ~10-15 soles), or use a ride-hail app from just outside the terminal.
Fake or watered-down pisco
Souvenir stalls and informal vendors
Cheap bottles sold as artisanal pisco on the street can be diluted or adulterated, sometimes in refilled brand bottles.
How to avoid it: Buy pisco at the bodegas themselves or established shops, and be wary of unusually cheap "artisanal" bottles.