Best things to do in Huacachina: discover the magic of this rare South American oasis framed by a shimmering lagoon, swaying palms & towering sand dunes with this travel guide.

Peru feels like a storybook stitched from many landscapes. One minute, you’re tracing the stonework of an ancient Inca citadel at Machu Picchu; the next, you’re sampling bright ceviche and savory lomo saltado in a bustling market. The country’s palette runs wide: the emerald tangle of the Amazon, the serrated silhouette of the Andes and the mysterious Nazca Lines etched into desert plains. History and craftsmanship are everywhere — handwoven textiles bright as sunsets — and the drinks don’t disappoint, from smooth brandy to the tangy kick of pisco.

Huacachina is a tiny, dreamlike escape on the edge of southwestern Peru. Tucked just west of Ica, this desert oasis circles a jewel-green lagoon said to have healing powers, fringed by stately palm trees. Cafés and bars perch on the water’s edge, perfect for slow afternoons, while outside the village massive dunes pulse with energy as dune buggies roar and launch across the sands.

My two-week Peru adventure began in Lima, where I spent 24 hours exploring the city with my Peruvian friend, Esau. Lima is a fascinating collage — pre-Inca ruins sit alongside modern neighborhoods and the coastline bristles with life. From there, we sailed out to Paracas, a stretch of rocky islands and desert beaches that feel both rugged and tropical. Then came Huacachina: adrenaline-fueled dune buggy rides by day and relaxed wine tastings by night.

Next up was Arequipa, the “White City,” whose buildings glow from volcanic sillar stone and whose historic center is quietly grand. A day trip to Colca Canyon followed, a chance to stand at the rim of one of the world’s deepest canyons and watch condors ride the thermals.

Finally, the highlands. Cusco, once the heart of the Inca Empire, became our base for the Sacred Valley. We explored Pisac and Ollantaytambo, felt the altitude in the cool mountain air and I even had a harrowing near-miss on Rainbow Mountain that I’ll never forget. The trip culminated with the pilgrimage every traveler dreams of: hiking into Machu Picchu and walking among those timeless stones as the morning light unfolded over the Andes.

What’s Inside | Roadmap

Land | Arrive in magical Huacachina

Admire | Marvel at Huacachina’s real‑life desert oasis

Ride | Hold on tight for a sunset dune adventure

Wine Taste | Enjoy a charming visit to Tambo de Tacama — South America’s oldest winery

Explore | Wander the streets of San Jose & Ica

Enchanting Adventures in Huacachina

Nestled around a shimmering oasis in the Peruvian desert, Huacachina feels unreal, where vibrant palms and sunset-drenched sand dunes frame every moment. Glide across glassy water by paddleboat, then race down towering dunes by sandboard or buggy for an unforgettable mix of serene relaxation and heart-racing adventure.

Arrive in Magical Huacachina

After a few dreamy days in Paracas, make your way to the enchanting oasis of Huacachina. Esau and I rose with the sun to pack and check out. With warm chicken tamales tucked under our arms and steaming coffee from a cozy café, we felt fit for the road ahead.

The bus from Paracas to Huacachina takes about an hour — often crowded but cozy enough to nap. Be careful with your belongings; later, I discovered a sad surprise: my favorite sneakers had vanished from my overhead bag.

Tip | Keep a close eye on your things and tuck a tiny lock onto your bag when you can — better safe than sorry.

The first stop is Ica, a quick pause in a nearby town, and minutes later the bus rolls into Huacachina. Stepping off the bus, find a stay in town. Our stay, The Upcycled Hostel, is located just outside town, so we hopped into a motor taxi for five soles and were on our way.

The Upcycled Hostel feels delightfully charming and snug, set against a stunning backdrop of endless sand dunes. Everywhere you look are sweeping, golden hills beneath a brilliant blue sky. The place has a warm, family-run vibe — everyone is friendly and genuinely helpful, which makes the stay feel even more special.

Inside, the place feels spotless and our private room is delightfully spacious, with everything you could possibly need. The showers run hot — just don’t linger too long or the water fades. A light breakfast greets you each morning and the WiFi is reliable. The hostel offers plenty of outdoor nooks to unwind, plus a refreshing swimming pool.

If you’re lucky, you’ll make some fury friends during your stay. A dog and a few cats wander the grounds; a sweet black cat snuck into our room to cuddle, unwilling to leave.

Marvel at Huacachina’s Real‑Life Desert Oasis

During check in, our hostel informed us about needing to book the dunes tours fairly early to secure a spot. Options were to either book with the hostel for a small fee or head back into town for a slightly cheaper price. Esau and I decided we’d head back for lunch anyhow and book the tour in town. The best price we found for a two-hour sunset tour was 30 soles ($8 USD); we booked for the same evening.

Tip | Book your dunes tour in advance, either in town or at your stay.

With some time to waste, we discovered an incredible oasis at the center of town. Giant palm trees surrounded the small lagoon with enormous dunes as the backdrop. People were busy paddle boating around the lake as kids swam and played near the shore. Honestly, I've never seen anything like it; it looked like something out of a storybook. Aladdin, perhaps?

As one of the few natural oases in South America, Huacachina Lagoon, as its known, is deep green in color and thought to have therapeutic properties that lure travelers to its waters for cures to ailments like arthritis and rheumatism.

As the “Weeping Woman” legend has it, a princess, mourning her deceased lover, fled from a hunter. Her tears formed the lagoon and her flowing mantle became the sand dunes.

Historically, during the mid-20th century, the area was a resort town for wealthy Peruvians. Today, the architecture reflects this past. The surrounding area is filled with loads of bars and restaurants, making it a perfect little destination in the middle of nowhere.

Our dunes tour began at 4 p.m. so we had enough time to grab a bite eat. Esau and I left the oasis looking for a less touristy spot up near the entrance of the town, the only area with local prices.

A set menu offered seco de pollo with rice, a salad and chicha morada for ten soles. Esau recommended seco de pollo because he loves the sauce and its a tough dish to find. The sauce is made with onion, chili pepper, garlic and cilantro and was quite delicious.

He also mentioned that the low prices for “el menu” might not always apply for tourists, so keep that in mind. Chicha morada, a sweet purple corn drink, was one of my favorites throughout my time in Peru.

Tip | Ask around for “el menu” which means local prices and authentic food.

Hold on Tight for a Sunset Dune Adventure

When we bought tickets, Esau and I begged the man to give us front row seats in the buggy so we'd have the best view, similar to a roller coaster. And with that in mind, we were the first ones to hop into our buggy.

Tip | Wear lightweight, breathable clothing like long sleeves and pants for sun and sand protection, closed-toe shoes for grip and layers to handle temperature changes. Items like sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen are also essential for sun protection. Expect sand in all the places.

Tip | Protect your camera if you have something nice. Wind throws sand everywhere and can damage one very easily.

The anticipation was killing us but we were kept busy by a sweet little girl selling soda and water as we were waiting.

After waiting for what seemed like forever and tons of commotion, our dune buggy was finally packed with riders and ready to go. Luckily, I brought sunglasses in anticipation of sand flying everywhere and wore comfortable clothes just in case we wanted to sand board. You don’t want sand in all the wrong places so swimsuits or similar aren’t the best option.

As the sun began to set, the buggies lined up one by one, all heading straight into the desert. Our driver started off slowly and then began to pick up speed. The hills were so big that we had to get a “running start” or we wouldn't make it up and over.

The best was when the hills would drop off right at the tippy top and your stomach would fly up into your throat. Our driver even played tricks on us. Just as we were at the top of a hill about to drop off, he'd point in the opposite direction so we wouldn't expect what was coming next.

A few times, he'd stop the buggy and we'd all get out to rest our nerves.

Most of the riders tried sand boarding but Esau and I wandered around the hills taking photos and enjoying the views instead.

Tip / Try sandboarding if you get the chance.

Looking back, I should've tried it at least once as it looked like so much fun and a super rare opportunity.

Each time we drove over a hill we'd fly out of our seats. The only thing keeping us inside the buggy were our loose seat belts. The ride was incredible and I had so much fun but I think Esau got a little frightened as he was holding on for dear life.

It was so magical being plopped right into the middle of a desert. For as far as you could see in all directions, there were hills of creamy sand.

Once in a while you’d see another buggy cruising along in the distance or tip over the edge of an enormous mound and disappear.

On the tops of the sand dunes it was quite windy and bits of sand were flying in all directions, covering you from head to toe. Sand found its way into each and every crevasse.

After some time the sun began to set and the tour wound down. We had the option to stay up in the hills or catch a ride back into town so we chose to stay in the desert, relaxing in the sand and enjoying the sun as it set behind the dunes. The sky was incredible shades of orange, pink and purple mixed with big fluffy clouds.

After the sun set, Esau and I walked back into town for dinner finding a local spot serving beef with rice and potatoes for eight soles. To finish the night, we visited a rooftop bar called Moskito. Moskito offered two for one cocktails, a classic Pisco sour with a twist, maracuya sour, for 15 soles. The drinks were great and so was the view, right over the lagoon.

The next day, we’d spend the morning exploring the surrounding areas and then head to Arequipa. Our best option for transportation turned out to be an overnight bus out of Ica at 9 p.m. so we were left with the day to explore.

Enjoy a Charming Visit to Tambo de Tacama — South America’s Oldest Winery

First thing in the morning, Esau and I ate a small breakfast of eggs, bread, juice and tea at the hostel. After checkout we drove into Ica in search of an ATM, storing our luggage at the hostel. Note, Huacachina is extremely tiny and does not have any ATM’s in town.

After passing though Ica I was thankful we had decided to stay in Haucachina. Ica was busy, packed full of cars and people; I could hardly believe how crowded it felt. From Ica, we hopped into a taxi to Tacama, the oldest winery in South America. The ride was less than 10 miles but took forever to reach, weaving through traffic and over bumpy dusty roads. Make sure to bargain on pricing because we were taken advantage of on the way.

Tacama offers a few different tours for its guests. At noon was the traditional tour and the only one given in English. It's 50 minutes long and costs 10 soles. Alternatively, if you'd like to learn more about the history and architecture there's a 40 minute tour for 25 soles. Since Tacama is one of the few surviving haciendas in the area, I'd imagine it's pretty interesting. Additionally, if you’d like to combine both these options, you may.

Esau and I chose the traditional tour covering the entire wine-making process, as well as a tasting. An introductory video explained much about wine and the historical vineyard of Tacama. The vineyard grows 23 grape varieties and uses 18 of them for wines. They make both red and white wine. Tacama also uses grapes to produce a fermented alcohol called pisco. Pisco contains 42-44% alcohol and is a staple in Peru.

After the video, the group entered the processing area where workers were sorting grapes. We learned about the fermentation process and saw huge barrels used to store the wine.

During the wine tasting, we were offered three varieties ranging from dry and bitter to super sweet. We also tried Pisco in a small shot glass. Everything was wonderful.

Wander the Streets of San Jose & Ica

After the tour finished, Esau and I caught a ride with a few other travelers into San Jose, a tiny town nearby. We explored the sleepy little town and stopped off for something to eat, soup and beef with sauce and beans.

The area felt a little deserted but it was nice to have a few quiet hours to ourselves.

Esau asked around and learned that just around the corner a "collectivo" would arrive.

Tip | Grab a collectivo to get around. A collectivo is a shared ride in either a taxi or small bus. They're great because the price is super cheap but it is shared with others.

Back in Ica we wandered the main plaza and then caught another taxi back to our hostel for six soles.

For the next few hours we relaxed at our hostel before beginning our overnight bus at 9 p.m. From the hostel, Esau and I took a taxi to the bus station in Ica; we had reserved seats on an overnight bus to Arequipa with Cruz del Sur for 100 soles. The bus wasn't bad, a double decker, but felt cramped. They served a late dinner and breakfast too, just so so. Throughout the night, I woke up often because of stormy weather. Our bus was whipping around sharp corners high up in the mountains and I was so happy I couldn't see out the windows. Twelve hours later, the bus safely arrived in Arequipa.