Last Updated on August 4, 2023

If you are a fan of sandboarding, then Huacachina is the one place in the world that you cannot miss in your travel bucket list: this spectacular natural oasis in Peru is surrounded by dunes as high as mountains, located just 5 km from the town of Ica and about 300km south of the capital Lima.

Sandboarding in Huacachina: Huacachina Oasis - Ica, Peru
Huacachina Oasis. Photo courtesy of Diego Delso.

There are plenty of sandboarding opportunies all over Peru, but none quite as popular as those in the Ica and Huacachina region. Here, you can sledge down on some of the tallest sandhills in south america!

And if you are a fan of desert off-roading, you can get your hands on a special local vehicle called carro tubular” (“tubular car”), a local type of dune buggy that allows you to run on these huge sand dunes at full speed.

Ica and Huacachina have become must-go destinations for lovers of adventure sports and particularly for anyone who is passionate about sandboarding, sand skiing and sand duning, and the oasis is considered one of the best sandboarding destinations in the world.

Sandboarding in Huacachina Oasis (Ica, Peru)
Sandboarding in Huacachina – Ica, Peru.

Sandboarding in Huacachina Oasis, Ica

Huacachina is home to some of the largest dunes in South America, making it one of the world’s top destinations for sandboarding and sand sledding.

The Huacachina sand dunes reach heights up to 500 metres (1640 feet), as big as mountains (but not nearly as huge as the nearby Cerro Blanco, one of the tallest sand dunes in the world). The entire oasis is surrounded by these giant, steep golden hills and you can spend hours – or days – hiking up and then surfing or skiing downhill.

Best sandboarding tours and rentals

If you are visiting Huacachina with a tour from Lima, Ica or Paracas, they will provide you with the equipment necessary and an instructor will guide you through you first steps on sand. Alternatively, there are a few facilities in Huacachina itself which offer sandboarding and sand skiing equipment and tours:

  • Tony SandRider – offers both sandboards and sand skis for rental as well as guided tours and excursions.
  • SandSnow School – a bit pricier but higher quality equipment and professional instructors. Includes GoPro aerial footage of your session, which makes for a memorable tour. Ideal for more experienced surfers / snowboarders.

If you are looking for guided tours that will take you from Huacachina from Ica or Lima and come with sandboarding combined with other activities, then we recommend having a look at what Viator and Civitatis have to offer.

What to wear

While the climate of Huacachina is generally pleasant, temperatures in the desert can fluctuate sharply during the day. If leaving early in the morning for sandboarding it is best to bring a long-sleeved shirt as it will likely be a bit chilly, same applies in the evening. In the late morning and afternoon, switch to a lightweight t-shirt and don’t forget your sunscreen!

When hiking up the dunes, it is a good idea to wear closed-toes tennis shoes to protect your feet from getting scorched by the hot sand. When sliding down, you may need to wear sandboarding goggles (or cheap sunglasses) and a mouth scarf to protect you from sand (highly recommended if the weather is windy).

In other words: get your hands on some standard sandboarding gear and clothes for the desert, nothing less, nothing more.

Here’s a complete Huacachina packing list:

  • Short sleeved shirt (for the afternoon)
  • Long sleeved shirt (for the morning and evening)
  • Lightweight long trousers
  • Strong unscreen
  • Closed-toe tennis shoes with socks
  • Mouth scarf or foulard
  • Eye goggles

Weather this week

Huacachina Peru

When is the best time to go sandboarding in Huacachina?

You can go sand surfing in Huacachina year round, with February and March being the hottest month, and July being the coldest. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times of the day to hit the dunes. This is when temperatures are milder and the sand not too hot.

For a truly memorable experience, we recommend going sandboarding at sunset to enjoy a spectacular view of the Huacachina village as the sky darkens.

Sandboarding in Huacachina.
Sandboarding in Huacachina. Photo courtesy of Anthony Letmon.

Carro Tubulares – The Huacachina Sand Buggy experience

Huacachina takes the experience of sand duning to a whole new level. Just at the entrance to the village you can already spots dozens of these popular tube-shaped vehicles called “carro tubulares” or “carros areneros.

The spanish word for dune buggy, “areneros“, could literally be translated to “for sand”, while “carro tubular” simply means “tubular car“. These vehicles accommodate between 6 and 9 people, so you can ride them as a small group.

They are mainly a tourist attraction and you should always bargain on the price to get the best deal. It is not necessary to leave a tip to the driver.

When is the best time to go sand buggy in Huacachina?

As with sand boarding, the early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to go on a sand buggy tour in Huacachina. This is in order to avoid the scorching afternoon sun and desert heat. Always remember to bring plenty of fluids and sun protection with you.


Huacachina Travel Guide

Sunset view from the dunes of Huacachina Oasis, Peru
Sunset in Huacachina, Peru. Photo courtesy of Alex Azabache

Huacachina is a tourist attraction in the middle of the coastal desert, an oasis with a lagoon of greenish colors whose origin is thought to be due to groundwater outcroppings that gave life to the lush vegetation that surrounds it.

You get a sense of peace and tranquility driving around this village, because there are hardly any vehicles but you can still find plenty of hotels and pubs. Not only that, but this beautiful place is somewhat of a paradise in the middle of a desert, with a mild climate year round and natural water springs that were once believed to have healing powers.

History – The legend of Huacca China

The Huacachina lagoon, like many other rivers and lakes in Peru, has a legend that contributes to its allure. Many years ago, a princess of the Inca stock lived in that location; it is said that her name was Huacca China, and that she was a woman of immense beauty, with a voice so beautiful that her only song softened the hearts of men to the point where they all ended up crying at her melody.

Huacachina’s popularity as a favourite tourist destination for those visiting Ica and enamoured with the allure of water in the middle of the desert dates back to the 1940s. It is in this year that the Huacachina’s surroundings are set in such a way that there is no tourist service that is missing in the area today.

Initially, the main tourist attraction was limited to the spa, but today, the desert that surrounds the lagoon serves as an attraction in itself, attracting extreme sports enthusiasts who come to sandboard or off-road on the dunes.

Sandboarding in Huacachina: View of the Oasis
Sandboarding in Huacachina, Peru. Photo courtesy of Maxim Schönmeier

How to reach Huacachina

from Ica:

Reaching the oasis from Ica is very simple – wherever you are in town, just hail a taxi (not a tuktuk). The average return fare is 12.0 PEN, but you should be able to negotiate on the price.

from Paracas:

A public bus ride from Paracas to Ica is inexpensive and will lasts about 1.5 hours, from there you can grab a taxi and quickly reach Huacachina.

If it is your first time in Peru, we recommend arranging your transportation through a guided tour or on one of the “hop on, hop off” buses that will instead take you directly to Huacachina and allow you to stop in other locations as well.

from Lima:

The best way to reach Huacachina for a day trip is to sign up for a local tour, which commonly include both sandboarding and dune buggy as activities. If you plan to stay more than a day, you can look into either public buses (e.g. Oltursa, Cruz del Sur) or private bus services (e.g. Peru Hop).

Public buses are cheaper, but will drop you off at Ica (from which you’ll then need to call a cab), whereas private bus services may be more convenient for tourists as they will pick you up from your hotel, drop you off directly in Huacachina, and also come with a handy English-speaking guide. You should expect your bus ride to last around 5 hours.

Tours that will take you to Huacachina:


Travel to Huacachina, Peru - The n°1 sandboarding destination in the world
Huacachina Oasis at night. Photo courtesy of Carlo Franco 45.

Where to stay in Huacachina

If you are planning to spend the night (or several nights) in Huacachina, excellent choice! It is worth it to spend at least a few days in this mystical place in order to enjoy everything it has to offer to the fullest.

Hotel El Huacachinero – simple yet good quality accommodation in the oasis. There are no luxury hotels in Huacachina, but El Huacachinero is clean and adequate with all the facilities you need: air conditioning, wi-fi, basic breakfast and even a swimming pool. 60$ per night for a double room.

Hostel Banana’s Adventure – a very nice and comfy hostel with plenty of amenities, including breakfast, a friendly staff, music events, a bar and swimming pool. A bed in a shared 6-persons dorm costs around 25$, whereas a private room around 60$.

Desert Nights Ecocamp – if you dream of camping in a desert oasis, this is the place for you. You can get a comfy tent for as little as 50$ per night which includes breakfast and access to the pool. Tents are spatious and come with electricity and wifi.


Where to eat and drink in Ica & Huacachina

Despite its small size, Huacachina offers plenty of restaurants and bars which both locals and tourists like to hit after a long, tiring day in the dunes. Not to miss in the area:

  • 8 Cepas – For a truly authentic Peruvian experience, with cuisine typical of the Ica region. Plenty of affordable food options including barbecued meat and seafood dishes.
  • La Quimba Huacachina – Authentic Peruvian food with both fish and seafood as well as vegetarian / vegan options.
  • La Casa de Bamboo – doubling as both a hostel and a diner, the restaurant specializes in international food with plenty of vegetarian and vegan friendly options.

Climate and best time to visit

Like most of Peru, the warmest period to visit Huacachina is between December and March, with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C and a daily average of 23°C.

From April to November, temperatures are slightly cooler, ranging from 9°C at night to 19°C during the day. This colder period is ideal for hiking through the desert without having to deal with the scorching sun.

March is the hottest month of the year, while July is the coldest, but be wary that temperature fluctuates quite heavily during the day – even if it’s hot in the afternoon, you may need a jacket in the evening. Rain is generally not an issue, with only 2-3mm of rain per month between January and March.

Sandboarding in Huacachina Oasis - Desert Travel Guide
Dunes of Huacachina Oasis. Photo courtesy of Diego Delso.

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Peru Sandboarding Map



Huacachina FAQs

What is sandboarding in Huacachina?

Sandboarding in Huacachina is an exciting and unique adventure activity that allows you to slide down the massive dunes surrounding the oasis town of Huacachina. This exhilarating experience is similar to snowboarding or surfing, but instead of snow or water, you’ll be gliding down the soft, sandy slopes of the desert.

What equipment do I need for sandboarding in Huacachina?

To participate in sandboarding in Huacachina, you’ll need a sandboard, which is a specialized board designed specifically for sliding down sand dunes.

These boards are typically made of wood or composite materials and have a hard, slick bottom to help you glide down the dunes. Additionally, you may want to consider wearing protective gear such as gloves, knee pads, and elbow pads to help prevent injuries.

How difficult is sandboarding in Huacachina?

The difficulty level of sandboarding in Huacachina can vary depending on the size and steepness of the dunes you’re sliding down. For beginners, the dunes closest to the town tend to be smaller and less steep, making them a good starting point.

As you become more experienced, you can move on to larger, steeper dunes for a greater adrenaline rush. It’s also worth noting that sandboarding can be physically demanding, so a moderate level of fitness is recommended.

What should I wear for sandboarding in Huacachina?

For sandboarding in Huacachina, it is recommended to carry a long sleeved shirt (for the morning and evening), short sleeved shirt (for the afternoon), light weight long trousers, sunscreen, closed-toe tennis shoes with socks, mouth scarf or foulard, and eye goggles.

When is the best time to go sandboarding in Huacachina?

You can go sandboarding in Huacachina year-round, with February and March being the hottest months and July being the coldest. The best times of the day to hit the dunes are early morning and late afternoon when temperatures are milder and the sand is not too hot.

Are there any other activities available in Huacachina?

Huacachina offers a variety of activities such as dune buggy rides, ATV tours, and hiking in the surrounding dunes. Visitors can also take a dip in the natural oasis, go paragliding or take a sunset tour on a catamaran.

For those looking for a more relaxed experience, there are also several bars and restaurants in the area where you can enjoy a drink or a meal while taking in the beautiful scenery.

What are carro tubulares?

Carro tubulares, also known as “carros areneros”, are a type of dune buggy that are specifically designed to run on sand dunes and are commonly used for off-roading and sand duning activities. They are often used to traverse the sand dunes that surround Huacachina, and are a popular activity for tourists visiting the area.

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