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The Top 11 Things To Do In The Huacachina Desert Oasis 2020

11 Top Things To Do In The Huacachina Desert Oasis

The Complete Guide


The Huacachina Desert Oasis is one of the most underrated destinations in all of Peru.

As the only natural desert Oasis in South America as well as one of the most beautiful sights of Peru, this is one place you would be absolutely foolish to miss.


The glistening lagoon of Huacachina, further embellished with the lush foliage of the looming palm trees is truly unique. All this set against a backdrop of majestic towering sand dunes surrounding the oasis, certainly puts Huacachina in a class of its own.


Surprisingly enough, for a desert town seemingly isolated from the outside world, there are plenty of adventures to be had.

From sand boarding down monstrous sand dunes to a flurry of reckless nights partying at one of the wildest hostels in Peru, this desert oasis will not disappoint.

Keep reading to discover all the best things to do in the Huacachina Desert Oasis.


DISCLOSURE:
Please be aware that some of the links in this blog contain affiliate links and at NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU, Wild & Away earns a small commission if you decide to make a purchase/reservation.  The commission made from each affiliate link helps to support this website. Please understand that I have experience with all of these booking companies, and I only recommend certain accommodation if I find they will be useful to you. Thank You!


 




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Sand Boarding

Sand boarding in Huacachina is one of the most exciting things to do in Peru. Laying claim to the title of the biggest sand dunes in South America, few things compare to the adrenaline rush of rocketing down 1640-foot Huacachina Sand Dunes at speeds so fast you begin to wonder if you’ll even be able to stop.

Most sand boarding tours are paired along with a dune buggy tour for around 100 soles (approximately $30 USD).

However, another option is to rent a sand board yourself for around 10-15 soles and you can just sand board along the hills within walking distance from the Oasis.

However, continuously climbing back up after boarding down is extremely exhausting.

Must Read | Sandboarding In Peru At The Huacachina Sand Dunes

Go on the insane Dune Buggy Tour

Did you even visit Huacachina if you didn’t go on a dune buggy tour?

Among the most popular things to do in the Huacachina Desert Oasis is a Dune Buggy trip around the freakishly huge Huacachina Sand Dunes; one of the most adrenaline filled things you can do in Peru.

It's full speed ahead as you literally put your life in the Dune Buggy drivers’ hands as he takes you on a high speed rollercoaster ride along the biggest sand dunes in all of South America.

Must Read | Sandboarding In Peru At The Huacachina Sand Dunes

Party At Wild Rover

Wild Rover is the undisputed king of nightlife in Huacachina and there is truly no better place to start the party in this town.

No matter what night of the week it is (and chances are you will absolutely have no clue), Wild Rover hosts a massive party that manages to exploit everyone’s inner party animal.

From dancing on the bar, body shots, and a few other unmentionables, Wild Rover always knows how to throw a proper party that brings the wild side out of everyone there.

Check Prices For Wild Rover Huachachina Here

Watch the Huacachina Sunset

It’s actually extremely difficult to put into words how beautiful the Huacachina sunset is, but it’s safe to say it’s an experience you will never forget.

Climb up to peak of the Huacachina sand dunes and sit mesmerized as you watch the sky slowly transform into a canvas of all different shades of orange and red, creating one of the most beautiful golden sunsets in the world.

Be sure not to leave your camera behind for this because the photos will be truly remarkable.

Paracas

Spend a day away from the Huacachina sand dunes to explore the beautiful beaches of Paracas.

Sitting along Peru’s western coast, the beach town of Paracas is only located around 1.5 hours away from Huacachina making it the perfect day trip from the desert.

Delicious seafood and stunning beaches aside, Paracas is home to the Ballestas Islands which is considered a must visit while in Peru.

Nicknamed “The Poor Mans Galapagos”, these islands are famous for housing a diverse range of endangered wildlife including seals, sea lions, and an abundance of penguins and even Humpback Whales!

Cañon de Los Perdidos (The Lost Canyon)

Cañon de Los Perdidos (also known as 'The Lost Canyon') was discovered only recently, therefore it is one of the lesser known attractions in Peru.

The name translates to Canyon of the Lost and is said to be protected by the vicious ravens that fly overhead.


The landscape of Cañon de Los Perdidos is truly unique and an awesome day trip from the city.


Lost Canyon is located around 3.5 hours from Huacachina, and most tours depart at 6 am.

The trip costs about $30 USD per person, however cheaper prices can be found through bartering.

 
 
 
 
 
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Sample The Picarones

For those who are not aware, Picarones are an extremely popular Peruvian dessert that originated in Lima.

These syrup covered doughnut-like pastries are an absolute delight, and although they may have originated in Lima, the Picarones sold by the street vendors in Huacachina are some of the best I had in all of Peru.

The best part is a plate of 4 should only cost you about 4 soles, which is the equivalent of roughly $1.33 USD.

Nazca Lines

Just under 2 hours from Huacachina, the Nazca Lines are the perfect day trip from Huacachina. The Nazca Lines are ancient hieroglyphics that were created sometime between 500 BCE and 500 CE by the Nazca people.

Though the purpose of the lines is not yet completely understood (and probably never will be), they are unsurprisingly one of the top things to do in Peru.

The best way to experience the lines is by plane, however beware that the prices are certainly not cheap.


For just a 40-minute fly over, expect to spend approximately $90 to $100 USD, which in my personal opinion is super expensive just to see some lines.


However, if you happen to be a huge history fanatic, then I could completely understand paying this price, but for me this just didn’t fit in the budget.

Visit The Vineyard

Althouh most people leave Ica out of their Peru bucket list, this is something you may want to reconsider.

Especially if you are a fan of red wine and the Peruvian national drink of “Pisco”.

Ica is in fact the largest producer of red wine and Pisco in Peru, so why not take the day to explore some of the finest Peruvian wineries?

Not to mention Banana’s Adventure even incorporates a wine tasting tour into their list of free included daily activities for any guest of their hostel.

Relax Poolside At The Hostel

With hostels so nice you sometimes feel like you're staying at a 5 star resort, why not take some time to relax pool side and enjoy the beautiful ambiance?!

The two biggest hostels in Huacachina (Wild Rover and Banana's Adventure) are both decked out with beautiful outdoor pool areas perfect for a day of relaxation.

To top things off, both locations have a delicious restaurant located just steps away, allowing you to remain in leisure mode for the entire day.

Quad Riding

To my disappointment, I did not realize that tourists were not allowed to drive the dune buggies themselves.


Although this was quite the letdown, in hindsight I can imagine how incredibly dangerous that would be to let thousands of tourists go racing around 1,640 ft sand dunes at blindingly fast speeds.


However, thankfully there is the option to take out the 4x4 ATV for all the adrenaline junkies out there.

The price for this can be a bit pricey depending on where you look with some tour companies charging as much as $75 USD.

However, if you shop around and haggle a bit like we did, you should be able to find it for around $10 - $15 USD, which is approximately 30 to 45 Soles.

Where To Stay In Huacachina?

 

The two best hostels in Huacachina are Wild Rover and Banana’s Adventure.

Although either of the two hostels are excellent options, keep in mind they are as different as chalk and cheese so be sure to book the one that is more appropriate for you.

Wild Rover

The legitimate party hostel of Huacachina hosting nightly parties and events. If you are a party animal who doesn’t mind missing a few nights of sleep then be sure to stay here!

Check Prices For Wild Rover Here

Banana’s Adventure

Arguably one of the best hostels in Peru, and is the perfect accommodation for any backpacker.  Banana’s adventure includes a free activity for every guest of the hostel for each night booked.

Check Price For Banana's Adventure Here


For a full detailed guide on all the best hostels in Huacachina click here.


Frequently Asked Questions


Is Sand Boarding Safe?

Sand boarding is considered safe when you follow the directions of your instructor and act responsibly, however I have seen the occasional accident from people attempting to go too fast.

They just ended up with some minor cuts and bruises, but they lived.

How Big Is Huacachina?

The town of Huacachina is every bit as small as it appears in photos, with the lake in the center of the oasis measuring only 2 acres in size.

Moreover, there is only one road that runs into Huacachina and throughout the entire town.

Along this road is where a majority of the hostels and restaurants are located.

What Is The Weather Like In Huacachina?

Unlike other destinations in Peru like Lima, Huacachina is absolutely drenched with sunshine all year round with average temperatures between 15° and 23° Celsius.

The warmest month to visit Huacachina is March, while the coldest month to visit is July.

Keep in mind although the weather is exceptionally warm during the daytime, the temperatures do drop pretty significantly at night time.

This is especially true around the winter months, when during the day you may be in a bikini but at night you will be in a jacket.

How Long Should I Stay In Huacachina? 

For the average backpacker traveling through Peru, 2-3 days should be enough time to do everything there is to do in Huacachina.

However, for those people who are interested in taking day trips to either Ica, Paracas, Nazca, or The Lost Canyon, then I recommend you spend at least 4-5 days in Huacachina.


All of these destinations are relatively close to Huacachina, making it an excellent base to explore all these different destinations. In addition to all of that, Huacachina is just one of those places that manages so suck you in for longer than you had initially intended.


During the time I spent in Huacachina (which was a total of 5 nights), I watched countless others extend their stay after initially only planning to stay 1 or 2 nights.

Therefore, if you have some extra time to kill in Peru, then I advise you to spend it in Huacachina.

Huacachina Content Guide

Sandboarding In Peru At The Huacachina Sand Dunes


The Best Hostels In Huacachina Peru 2019 {The Budget Backpackers Guide}


How To Get From Lima To Huacachina {The Complete 2019 Guide}


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Don’t forget to check out some of our other blogs below.

17 Best Things To Do In Cusco Peru {The Certified Guide}
Best Party Hostels In Cusco Peru 2020 {The Certified Backpackers Guide}
How To Get To Machu Picchu From Cusco 2020 {The Complete Guide}
How To Get From Lima To Huacachina {The Complete 2019 Guide}
Machu Picchu Weather 2020 {Best Time To Visit Machu Picchu}
The Best Hostels In Huacachina Peru 2019 {The Budget Backpackers Guide}


This post first appeared on Wild & Away, please read the originial post: here

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