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Huacachina Oasis [sandboarding]

  • Huacachina, Ica Region, Peru

Last updated: 09 July, 2024

Huddled under palm trees around a little lake set in a sand-sea of rippling dunes, Huacachina village looks like a film set for Dune.

Beauty alone makes it worth a special visit, but there’s plenty to do – from desert hiking and buggy rides to sandboard-surfing the wave-like dunes – which are the tallest in South America. There are plenty of operators in town offering classes and boards to rent, but choose carefully, the sport can be as dangerous for novices as snowboarding.

Over the last decade, Huacachina has become a backpacker hangout – with bars along the lakeshore pumping out music and serving cheap cocktails, and hostels lining the streets behind. But while accommodation in the village is backpacker-simple, Ica city, a ten-minute drive away has comfortable rooms and is connected with Lima by plane and bus.

Logistics

Price: Free
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Huacachina is less than 5km from Ica City – which has flights to Lima and Arequipa and better-than-backpacker accommodation. Taxis from Ica to the village cost pennies.

Sandboarding is easy to organise – with dozens of operators in Huacachina. Choose an operator who emphasises safety. Trips should take around two hours, include classes from a competent sandboarder and begin with lying down. Sandboarding can be dangerous for the uninitiated.

When to do it

Tours run all year round. February and March can be hot with daytime highs around 30°C and you will need sunscreen on the dunes. Nighttime temperatures in July can drop to around 10°C, so take warm clothing.

Who to go with: organised tours

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

  • Lima

This 1-day tour from Lima to Paracas & Huacachina Oasis is #1 ranked and a MUST-DO for all travelers to Peru! The ONLY company with huge private luxury buses, this tour is ideal for travelers wanting to see and do a lot in a short space of time. The most reviewed tour company in Peru, with fun and friendly local Peruvian guides, will ensure you have a once-in-a-lifetime experience away from the crowds. Paracas-you’ll embark on an incredible speedboat out to the Ballestas Islands, to see colonies of sea lions, penguins, and much more! Huacachina - After a delicious lunch, explore Huacachina Oasis Desert in a Dune Buggy and go SandBoarding on the highest dunes in South America. Bonus - watch the sunset over the stunning Oasis in a secluded area away from the crowds. Pickup and Dropoff in Lima included (more info below) Luxury Safe Buses with Aircon, USB charging ports, Onboard toilets, and classic movies on board (note: other companies use small cramped minivans - ask them!)

Price $139

Min age 7

Rating 4.80 / 5 [2826 ratings]

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  • Lima

We will leave the traditional way of visiting sculptures, old houses, city, to live an experience in nature. We will have a day full of landscapes, ecosystem, marine fauna and adrenaline that are not lived in other places of the capital. It will be very important to relax and forget about the classic to enter a panorama of full fun. The best thing is that your camera will be filled with funny photos and videos and we will interact with all the people who go with us, we will make new friends. You cannot miss the opportunity to know the south of Lima and visit the great Oasis of America and the great Ballestas Islands. This tour has it all!! - Enjoy the great marine view that Paracas offers - Forget everything by sliding on the sandboard boards - Try more than 15 types of Peruvian liquors - Dare to live this beautiful adventure

Price $130

Min age 4

Rating 4.53 / 5 [524 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Lima

Embark on an unforgettable adventure through the southern coast of Peru with our tour that combines three unique experiences. Discover the natural wonders of the Ballestas Islands, a paradise of marine life and exotic birds in their natural habitat. Sail between impressive cliffs and see sea lions, penguins and cormorants in their wild surroundings. Then, immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of the Huacachina Oasis, an oasis in the middle of the desert that will leave you breathless. Discover the golden sand dunes and feel the thrill of an exciting buggy ride through the sand hills. If you are an adventure lover, you can even try sandboarding in the dunes and admire the stunning sunset! A day full of natural beauty, adventure and culinary exquisiteness awaits you on this exciting tour that combines the Ballestas Islands, the Huacachina Oasis and the Nietto Winery. Don't miss it!

Price $120

Min age 0

Rating 4.78 / 5 [282 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Lima

Many adventures lie just outside of Lima waiting to be discovered but are missed by many due to time or difficulty getting there. With this stress-free 3 day tour, travel in comfort to the must-visit destinations of Paracas, Huacachina and the Pisco Vineyard. Enjoy the best of all, like the Ballestas Islands, the thrilling sandboarding and more. The perfect round-trip escape from the city of Lima!

Price $159

Min age 0

Rating 4.88 / 5 [218 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >
  • Lima

Embark on an unforgettable adventure through the southern coast of Peru with our tour that combines three unique experiences. Discover the natural wonders of the Ballestas Islands, a paradise of marine life and exotic birds in their natural habitat. Sail between impressive cliffs and see sea lions, penguins and cormorants in their wild surroundings. Then, immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of the Huacachina Oasis , an oasis in the middle of the desert that will leave you breathless. Discover the golden sand dunes and feel the thrill of an exciting buggy ride through the sand hills. If you are an adventure lover, you can even try sandboarding in the dunes and admire the stunning sunset! A day full of natural beauty, adventure and culinary exquisiteness awaits you on this exciting tour that combines the Ballestas Islands, the Huacachina Oasis and the Nietto Winery. Do not miss it!

Price $118

Min age 0

Rating 4.94 / 5 [211 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >