In the Peruvian desert, right next to the city of Ica, lies Huacachina. Huacachina is a stunning oasis surrounded by a small village. It's the perfect spot to experience the desert, from sandboarding to buggy rides and watching the sunset over the dunes. Here are the best tips for Huacachina!

Huacachina is a fantastic place to relax and unwind. The area offers plenty of activities to enjoy. We've listed the best tips for you!

The most popular activity in Huacachina is sandboarding. Tours are offered everywhere in Huacachina and at all accommodations, and they’re nearly all the same. Around 4:00 PM, you hop into one of the brightly colored buggies, ready to head into the desert. It’s an exhilarating experience, racing at high speeds across the dunes. Along the way, there are several stops for sandboarding.

You'll be given a sandboard to lie on your stomach. Sliding down the dunes at high speed, you can use your feet to brake and steer slightly. Alternatively, you can rent skis or snowboards for an extra fee. Someone in our group tried skiing, but it wasn’t very exciting—building up speed is difficult, so sandboarding is the more fun option. If you’re feeling brave, you can also try standing on the sandboard. However, steering is tricky, and even a small bump in the sand can send you tumbling hard.

Right next to the Huacachina oasis lies one of the taller sand dunes in the area. It’s a fun challenge to climb this dune yourself from Huacachina. The hike to the top takes about 20 minutes and is a popular spot to watch the sunset. If you prefer a quieter experience, it’s better to go early in the morning. Avoid climbing during the midday heat, as the sun can be intense.

Tip: Wear closed shoes when climbing the dunes. The sand gets extremely hot during the day, making it uncomfortable to walk in sandals or flip-flops.

Just off the coast of Peru, near the village of Paracas, lie the Ballestas Islands. Often called the "Poor Man's Galápagos," this nickname reflects the fact that the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador are quite expensive due to their remote location and high costs. In contrast, the Ballestas Islands are much more accessible and affordable, making them an excellent option for budget travelers.

During a two-hour boat tour, you’ll cruise around the islands and encounter fascinating wildlife such as sea lions, pelicans, cormorants, and penguins.

From Huacachina, it’s just over an hour’s drive to Paracas. Many tours, including transportation, are available. Alternatively, you can easily travel independently by bus from Ica to Paracas and purchase a boat tour ticket upon arrival.

Peru is not typically known as a wine country, but there are many vineyards in the Ica region where delicious wines are made. A large portion of the grapes is also used to make pisco, Peru’s national spirit. Visiting a winery around Ica is a great experience. You can take a tour and learn about the winemaking process, and of course, finish with a tasting of some fine wines.

A popular winery to visit is Tacama, known as the oldest winemaker in South America. They offer tours where you can explore the vineyards and cellars. Additionally, you can enjoy a wine and pisco tasting and have a meal at the restaurant.

About 2 hours from Huacachina, you'll find the famous Nazca Lines. To this day, it remains unclear how these lines were created and for what purpose. The Nazca Lines are geoglyphs in various shapes, with the most famous being the dozens of figures shaped like animals. Due to the region's extremely dry climate, minimal rainfall, and low winds, the geoglyphs have been well-preserved over time.

The best way to admire the lines is from the air. For around $100 per person, you can take a small plane tour. If you’d rather not fly but still want to see the lines, there’s an observation tower you can climb, offering a good view of several of the figures.