How to get from Lima to Huacachina
Are you looking for the best way to get from Lima to Huacachina?
Located in the south of Peru, Huacachina is one of the must-visits on a trip through this country.
Known for its towering dunes and idyllic desert landscapes, you’ll feel like you have entered into a whole different world here.
Huacachina is also great for doing some really fun activities. These include sandboarding down these mega-high dunes (which are some of the tallest on the continent), as well as flying around the desert in a high-octane buggy ride.
Lima to Huacachina
In this guide we’ll explore the most popular ways of getting from Lima to Huacachina. We’ll also take a look at where to stay as well as some other tips based on our time spent here.
Huacachina Quick Summary:
- 📍 Where is it: Western Peru
- 🗺 Difficulty Getting There: Very Easy
- ⏱ Time needed: 1-2 days
- ☀️ Best Time to Visit: September-November
Where is Huacachina, Peru?
Huacachina lies within the Ica Desert, which is roughly halfway down the country (and just a couple of hours away from the Pacific Ocean).
As a result it’s really easy to get to Huacachina from Lima, and many tend to head on day trips here (which we’ll explain later in this guide).
Huacachina is also a major stop along Peru’s Southern Backpacking Loop, along with places like Arequipa and Cusco.
The climate in Huacachina is pretty hot during the day, so it’s important to keep drinking lots of water (and remember to bring it with you if hiking up the nearby dunes).
At night temperatures can fall quickly, so it’s a good idea to have a jumper ready if staying out after the sunset.
Is Huacachina worth visiting from Lima?
Despite it becoming very touristy nowadays (which is also a good sign of course), we think that Huacachina is 100% worth the visit.
It’s only a few hours south from Lima, so you can easily get here and back within the same day, which is ideal for those who are on a strict time-frame when traveling through Peru.
As well as the legendary Sandboarding and Dune Buggy Ride (which you can pre-book together here), you can also chill out in the swimming pools of hostels like the Wild Rover, or even visit the nearby Tacama winery.
How far is Huacachina from Lima?
Huacachina is located 307 km south of Lima, which takes around 4.5 hours to arrive by car (or 5 hours if taking the bus).
If using public transportation, then you’ll first need to head from Lima to Ica, which is the major city of the region (and just a 15 minutes moto-taxi ride from Huacachina).
Buses ride between Lima and Ica throughout the day, however we recommend jumping on the earliest around 5am so you can get there in good time.
Where to stay in Huacachina?
Those on a backpacking budget will want to stay at the Banana’s Adventure Hostel, which is located right in the heart of Huacachina.
Here you’ll have an on-site pool and bar to enjoy, and they also have their own tour agency which includes sandboard rental. You’ll also have breakfast included in your room rate.
If you want to upgrade to a private room, then we suggest staying at the Hospedaje Claudia. Here you’ll be staying in a quirky private room with really comfortable beds, and also have breakfast included in the room rate.
Those after a more luxurious and resort-style experience will love the DM Hoteles Mossone. Staying in a spacious room, you’ll be located in the heart of Huacachina here.
Along with having a private pool to enjoy, the building itself is really beautiful with many arches, gardens and other colonial features.
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How to get from Lima to Huacachina
Overall getting from Lima to Huacachina is very easy, and through our experience here we’ve found 3 main ways of making the trip.
Bus from Lima to Huacachina
Overall the bus is the most popular option of getting to Huacachina from Lima, and also the most inexpensive of all. It costs around $10-15 for a one-way journey, and takes around 5 hours in total.
It’s important to note that you’ll first need to head from Lima (usually from the terminals in Victoria) to the city of Ica first. Once arrived in Ica, you can then take a 15 minute moto-taxi ride to reach the desert town.
You can book buses easily online at RedBus, which is good for those who are traveling fast and want to guarantee their departure. Otherwise you can head to the specific terminal in Lima, and get on the next bus (it’s usually even cheaper this way).
Driving from Lima to Huacachina
If you’ve got your own wheels, then you can also drive to Huacachina with ease. You’ll first need to navigate out of Lima (which can be a challenge), however after this it’s all smooth-sailing until you reach Ica. It will take around 3-4 hours to reach Huacachina by car.
The main advantages of driving are that you can leave whenever you want during the day, and not have to waste time waiting for the bus at the terminal. It’s also good for those who want to visit Paracas on the same day, which is another incredible destination within the region of Ica.
If renting a car is something that you want to do, then we highly recommend using companies like Hertz and SIXT which are amongst the most reliable in Peru. They have offices all over Lima, including right next to the international airport.
Small Group Tour to Huacachina
Now we have our personal favorite – and overall best recommendation for travelers who want to visit Huacachina.
We say this becuase on this full-day tour from Lima you’ll leave early and even have private transport taking you to and from Huacachina. Not only will you have the Sandboarding and Dune Buggy Ride included, you’ll also visit Paracas on the way too (which includes a tour to the Ballestas Islands for no additional cost).
It’s a really great option with lots of value, and especially for those who don’t have much time in Lima. We recommend booking this tour in advance if possible – given its highly-rated and tends to sell out quickly!
Getting from Lima to Huacachina
Thanks for reading our guide on how to get to Huacachina from Lima.
This desert oasis town is a must-visit when traveling around Peru, where you can climb (and fly down) giant dunes, as well as enjoy the holiday atmosphere and warm sun.
Getting here is also easy, meaning you can either stay for a few days or return to Lima after a day trip.
In this guide we’ve explored how to get from Lima to Huacachina, as well as where to stay and what to do.
While here, be sure to read our Huacachina Guide for more advice on what to do.
👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.
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