Huacachina

About Huacachina

Huacachina is a small village built around a natural lagoon, surrounded by palm trees and some of the tallest dunes in South America. It is a real oasis, not a tourist construction: the lagoon and the carob trees around it have existed for generations, and the village grew up around it in the early 20th century as a resort for people from Ica.

Legend has it that a young princess was bathing in these waters when a hunter surprised her; as she fled she dropped her mirror, which became the lagoon, and the folds of her cloak turned into the dunes that surround it — it is said she still lives in the water, turned into a mermaid.

What to do in Huacachina

• Dune buggy ride: an off-road vehicle tour through the tallest dunes in the area, with stops for photos and sandboarding.
• Sandboarding: ride down the dunes on a board, sitting or standing — suitable for beginners on the gentler dunes.
• Sunset from the dunes: the best time of day — the golden light over the sand is Ica's most iconic postcard.
• Walk around the lagoon: stroll the pedestrian path around the water, lined with restaurants and lodging along the shore.

Tips for your visit

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and something to cover your face — sand kicks up in the wind during the buggy ride. Afternoons (from 4 p.m.) are cooler and have better light than midday. If you are staying in Ica city, the transfer is short and worth timing right before sunset.