Top places to visit in Ica

• Laguna de Huacachina

  oasis · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  South America's only natural desert oasis — a palm-fringed lagoon fed by underground aquifers, ringed by towering sand dunes. The iconic centerpiece of the Ica region and base for dune-buggy and sandboarding adventures.

• Huacachina Sand Dunes

  sand dunes · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Massive coastal sand dunes surrounding the Huacachina oasis, among the largest in South America. The playground for dune-buggy rides and sandboarding, and a spectacular spot to watch the sunset over a sea of sand.

• Museo Regional de Ica Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins

  archaeology museum · 4.2 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Ica's regional museum, founded 1947, holding outstanding Paracas textiles, Nazca ceramics, mummies and the famous elongated/trepanned skulls of pre-Columbian Peru. A must for understanding the cultures behind the nearby Nazca Lines.

• Bodega El Catador

  winery · 4.1 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Traditional family-run winery and pisco distillery operating since 1856, on the Pisco Route outside Ica. Tour the colonial-era pressing yards and clay-pot stills and taste artisanal piscos and wines.

• Bodega Tacama

  winery · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Peru's oldest vineyard, with colonial-era hacienda buildings and belfries overlooking the vines. Tours cover wine and pisco production and end with tastings; you can climb the bell tower for valley views.

• Bodega Vista Alegre

  winery · 3.9 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Large industrial winery on the outskirts of Ica producing millions of litres of pisco and wine annually. Guided visits explain modern distillation and end with a tasting; an easy stop on the Pisco Route.

• Cachiche (Pueblo de las Brujas)

  historic village · 4.0 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A village 4 km from Ica famous for its legends of healing witches who fled the Spanish Inquisition. The mystical hamlet is marked by the much-photographed seven-headed palm tree and a statue of the witch.

• Plaza de Armas de Ica

  plaza · 4.0 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Ica's palm-lined main square, anchored by an obelisk and bronze fountains, surrounded by the cathedral and municipal buildings. The social heart of the city, lively in the evenings.

• Catedral de Ica

  cathedral · 4.0 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Ica's 18th-century cathedral on the main square, known for its neoclassical interior and ornate wooden pulpit. Damaged in the 2007 earthquake and since restored.

• Santuario del Señor de Luren

  sanctuary · 4.1 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Ica's most venerated sanctuary, home to the image of the Señor de Luren, focus of major October processions. The original church collapsed in the 2007 quake and was rebuilt.

• Mirador de Huacachina

  viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The high dune ridges above the oasis offer sweeping viewpoints over the lagoon and palms set against an endless desert. The premier sunset-watching spot in Huacachina.

• Huacachina Lagoon Boardwalk

  promenade · 4.2 rating · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate

  The palm-shaded promenade encircling the Huacachina lagoon, lined with cafés, bars and craft stalls. A relaxed stroll with reflections of the dunes on the water.

Things to do

• Dune Buggy & Sandboarding Tour Adventure · 2.5 h · from PEN 70 per person
• Pisco & Wine Bodega Tour Cultural · 4 h · from PEN 90 per person
• Sunset Dune Hike Hiking · 1.5 h
• Huacachina Lagoon Paddleboat Boat · 0.7 h · from PEN 30 per person
• Museo Regional de Ica Visit Cultural · 1.3 h · from PEN 15 per person
• Cachiche Witches Village Tour Cultural · 1.5 h · from PEN 40 per person
• Buggy Sunrise & Stargazing Tour Adventure · 3 h · from PEN 110 per person

Day trips and tours

• Paracas Reserve & Ballestas Islands Day Trip 9 h · from PEN 180
• Ica Pisco Route Half-Day Tour 4 h · from PEN 90
• Nazca Lines Scenic Flight 8 h · from PEN 750

Where to stay in Ica

• Huacachina about PEN 55 per night

  The palm-fringed desert oasis village — dune-buggy and sandboard hub ringed by giant dunes, 5 min from Ica.

Hotels

• Hotel Curasi 3-star · PEN 160 to PEN 300 per night
• Hotel Mossone 4-star · PEN 280 to PEN 520 per night
• Carola del Sur Hotel 2-star · PEN 90 to PEN 180 per night
• Banana's Adventure Hostel 3-star · PEN 40 to PEN 170 per night
• Wild Rover Huacachina 2-star · PEN 45 to PEN 160 per night
• Desert Nights Hostel 2-star · PEN 35 to PEN 130 per night

Where to eat

• Wild Olive Trattoria Italian, Peruvian, Pizza · about PEN 45 per person
• Restaurant Oasis de América Peruvian, Seafood · about PEN 40 per person
• La Casa de Bamboo International, Asian, Vegetarian · about PEN 30 per person
• Desert Nights Restaurant International, Peruvian, Cafe · about PEN 28 per person
• Casa de Arena Restaurant Peruvian, Barbecue, Grill · about PEN 50 per person
• El Buen Paladar Peruvian, Criollo · about PEN 25 per person
• Mayo Ica Peruvian · about PEN 18 per person
• Arturos Tavern Peruvian, International, Bar · about PEN 42 per person

Getting to Ica

Nearest airport: Ayacucho (AYP), about 193 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.

How visitors arrive in Ica

• Long-distance coach from Lima, e.g. Cruz del Sur By road from Lima · common · unconfirmed

  Cruz del Sur runs a terminal in Ica and direct services from Lima. Source: proactivo.com.pe

• Cruz del Sur coach, Lima to Ica By road from Lima · common

  Cruz del Sur lists Ica among its main routes from Lima and has its own Ica terminal. Source: cruzdelsur.com.pe

• Overland from Lima By road from Lima · common

  The national tourism site presents Lima to Ica as the overland route, about four hours by road. Source: peru.travel

From the bus terminal to the centre

• Taxi from the coach terminal unconfirmed

  Taxis are plentiful in Ica, and Huacachina oasis lies a few kilometres southwest of town. Agree the fare before riding. Source: roughguides.com

Getting around

• Car With Driver
• Taxi useful for some trips

  Huacachina oasis lies a few kilometres from Ica town, so a taxi is a practical way to reach it.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Unlicensed dune-buggy operators

  Huacachina dune buggy stands

  Cheap, unregistered buggy operators run rides in poorly maintained vehicles without proper roll cages, seatbelts or insurance. There have been serious accidents on the dunes.

  How to avoid it: Book through reputable hostels/operators, check for roll cage and working seatbelts, and avoid the cheapest street touts.

• Overpriced sandboard rental

  Huacachina lagoon area

  Vendors rent sandboards separately at inflated prices to travellers who do not realise boards are normally included in the buggy tour.

  How to avoid it: Confirm sandboard rental is included in your buggy tour before paying; do not pay twice.

• Taxi overcharging from the bus terminal

  Ica bus terminals (Soyuz, Cruz del Sur)

  Taxi drivers at the terminal quote tourists several times the normal fare to Huacachina, especially at night.

  How to avoid it: Agree the fare first (Ica-Huacachina is ~10-15 soles), or use a ride-hail app from just outside the terminal.

• Fake or watered-down pisco

  Souvenir stalls and informal vendors

  Cheap bottles sold as artisanal pisco on the street can be diluted or adulterated, sometimes in refilled brand bottles.

  How to avoid it: Buy pisco at the bodegas themselves or established shops, and be wary of unusually cheap "artisanal" bottles.

Best time to visit Ica

• Jan 32°C
• Feb 33°C
• Mar 33°C
• Apr 32°C
• May 29°C
• Jun 26°C
• Jul 25°C
• Aug 26°C
• Sep 28°C
• Oct 29°C
• Nov 30°C
• Dec 31°C

More in Peru

• Cusco
• Lima
• Aguas Calientes
• Arequipa
• Puno
• Iquitos

Frequently asked questions about Ica

What are the top-rated places to visit in Ica?

The highest-rated places in our Ica guide are Huacachina Sand Dunes, Mirador de Huacachina, Laguna de Huacachina, Bodega Tacama, Museo Regional de Ica Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins.

Where should I stay in Ica?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Ica: Huacachina.

How do I get around Ica?

Ways to get around Ica covered in our guide: Car with driver, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Ica?

Scams reported to us for Ica include Unlicensed dune-buggy operators; Overpriced sandboard rental; Taxi overcharging from the bus terminal. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Ica?

Average daytime highs in Ica run from 25°C in Jul to 33°C in Mar.