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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

The Number 1 Thing to do in Lima with the Most Highly Reviewed Tour Operator in Peru! This MUST-DO tour with Peru Hop includes the following: 1.⁠ ⁠A once-in-a-lifetime visit to Huacachina Desert Oasis with free time to explore the Oasis 2.⁠ ⁠Dune Buggy up & Sandboard with a spectacular Sunset in the middle of the Desert. 3.⁠ ⁠A trip to the Mini-Galapago’s in Paracas! Boat out to The Ballestas Islands to see Sealions, Penguins and more in their natural habitat. 4.⁠ ⁠Try Ceviche with a view of the Pacific Ocean or maybe Pisco Sour at the Oasis 5.⁠ ⁠LUXURY Bus with reclining leather seats & onboard Restrooms (no other company offers this), free popcorn and movies back to Lima! 6.⁠ ⁠Onboard local Peruvian team, fluent in English, to give you insider tips and advice This is a long day so ensure you travel with the most comfortable buses. Peru Hop is owned by 2 Irish guys who moved to Peru for love, and with their Peruvian partners, created an amazing way to discover Peru!

Price $129

Min age 7

Rating 4.84 / 5 [5675 ratings]

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  • Lima

Unforgettable full-day trip from Lima to Paracas and Ica. Cruise around the Ballestas Islands and spot sea lions, penguins, and exotic birds in their natural habitat. Then, enjoy a wine and pisco tasting at the Culturpisco vineyard, followed by an adrenaline-filled adventure in the Huacachina desert with a thrilling dune buggy ride and sandboarding across towering sand dunes.

Price $75

Min age 0

Rating 4.93 / 5 [938 ratings]

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  • Lima

We will carry out all our tourist tour with our tourist mobilities with reclining seats, music and with a bilingual guide who will accompany you throughout the trip, providing a special service until your return from the starting point or the hotel. You and your companions will live an unforgettable adventure with all our Peruvian tradition.

Price $75

Min age 0

Rating 4.84 / 5 [689 ratings]

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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

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Rating 4.89 / 5 [418 ratings]

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  • Lima

Enjoy the full experience of what’s just outside of Lima with this 2-day tour and get the best out of Paracas, Huacachina, and Nazca. Spot marine life in their natural habitat at the Ballestas Islands, speed through the biggest sand dunes in South America, and fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines etched on the desert floor.

Price $279

Min age 0

Rating 4.71 / 5 [340 ratings]

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