Known for its massive sand dunes that are amongst the largest in the Americas, Huacachina has become a must-visit place in Peru in recent times.
Not only can we enjoy this oasis town and visit the nearby Pisco wineries, those after a true adrenaline rush can also head on a memorable Sandboarding experience too – which is what makes it such a unique day trip to take from Lima.
In this guide we’ll explore why you should visit Huacachina, including the most important things to know. This also includes the best time to visit this desert town, as well as the different ways to get here.
Things you should know about Huacachina
Why visit Huacachina?
Just doing a search on Google will tell you exactly why Huacachina has become a growing backpacking hotspot and the hottest destination to visit in Peru right now. The orange sand dunes here rise as high as 500m, which are perfect for going sandboarding down for a real adrenaline rush. You’ll also usually have a dune buggy ride thrown in too for extra pleasure!
Climbing the dunes alone either in the early morning or late afternoon is also a very memorable experience, where we can see a beautiful crimson sunrise and sunset hanging over the desert. Even better is to bring a bottle of Pisco up with you, which is Peru’s national drink and has the overall best varieties grown in this arid region.
Huacachina is also strategically located close to many other incredible sites within this region of Peru. This includes the ancient hieroglyphs of the Nazca Lines, as well as the Ballestas Islands which can both be visited on day trips from Huacachina (or Lima).
The best time to head to Huacachina
As with any destination in Peru, we first need to remember that the seasons are reversed here since we are in the Southern Hemisphere.
This means that the summer (and warmest time) to visit Huacachina is between December until March, which is the overall best time to visit. Here average temperatures hover between 64-68°F, with highs of 82°F and evening lows of down to 63°F. Whilst it would appear that heading into the desert in the summer may not be the most appealing, it’s actually ideal given the evenings can get quite chilly in other months.
The winter season (which runs from June until September) is also a great time to visit Huacachina. Temperatures will overall be lower, and we can expect averages of around 57-58°F, highs of 70°F and lows of down to 55°F. You’ll definitely want to bring a coat for the evenings here if heading during this time.
It’s also important to remember that there is virtually no rain in Huacachina throughout the entire year, given it is in the desert after all!
How to get to Huacachina
Below we’ll now take a look at your best options for getting to Huacachina, which is located 300 km south of Lima.
Catching the bus from Lima
Travellers who are looking to save the most money will want to head on the bus. They depart several times a day from the different bus terminals in La Victoria, and take around 4-5 hours to arrive.
You can buy bus tickets online, and if heading on a day trip then it’s worth leaving on the buses that depart around 6:00 a.m. (in order to make the very most of your time). Otherwise, if you are planning to travel around other regions of Peru like Arequipa or Cusco, you can then head on another bus onwards from here.
It’s important to know that the buses from Lima don’t drop you directly in Huacachina, and instead go to the larger nearby city of Ica. Once you arrive you’ll then need to hail a taxi or mototaxi to the desert town, which is roughly 15 minutes away.
Heading on an organised tour from Lima
For those with a larger budget, one option is to head on an organised day tour from Lima to Huacachina, which is especially great for those who are short on time or want more comfort.
Here you won’t have to worry about heading to bus terminals early in the morning (since pick-up from your accommodation is included), nor have to leave Huacachina so early to get back to Lima the same day. You’ll also benefit from having a knowledgeable private guide who will show you all of the best secrets of Huacachina town and the nearby desert.
There are several tours that you can choose from, however TravelBuddiesPeru in particular operates a really great day tour from Lima to Huacachina, which includes all transport and a private guide. As well as visiting the oasis town and going sandboarding, you’ll also fly over the Nazca Lines, visit a Pisco winery and even have a boat ride to the nearby Ballestas Islands all included!
Overview
And that’s all for this guide on why you should visit Huacachina and the most important things to know.
Whilst Peru is full of impressive Andean mountains and the enticing Amazon Jungle, the desert town of Huacachina is also a truly incredible sight to visit. Not only can you try local Pisco and head on a adrenaline-pumping sand dunes tour, you can also visit many incredible sites nearby too.
Be sure to learn more about why you should visit Huacachina, which includes tips for heading there as well as the best things to do in and around the surrounding Ica region.