The Huacachina Oasis in Peru is having a big moment in the international travel sphere, and it’s not just because of all the fun activities you can do there. Going to a natural oasis seems like something out of a fairytale; an Aladdin-esque adventure. To wake up with towering sand dunes outside of your window and to see a serene pond surrounded by palm trees, the only living things as far as the eye can see.
Huacachina in Peru is certainly an experience, but getting there isn’t exactly easy. The journey will require a bus ride from another major city, the closest being Lima. When you finally arrive in Huacachina, you’ll be both stunned – and perhaps a little shocked – by the endless sand. What exactly is there to do in the middle of the desert?
Where Is The Huacachina Oasis in Peru?
Huacachina is a natural spring oasis in the middle of the Peruvian desert. It’s located closest to the western coast and sits between two other hugely popular stopping points: Nazca and Paracas.
The History of Huacachina
The oasis, fed by a natural spring in the middle of the desert, gets its name from an old legend. The term “Huacachina” means weeping woman in Quechua, the native language spoken by most Peruvian people. As the legend goes, the oasis formed from the tears of a green-eyed woman who mourned the death of her lover.
Huacachina was first discovered by tourists in the 1940s, when at this time it was primarily a destination spot for high-profile Peruvians and locals who had the means of getting there.
The deep, emerald green waters are preserved now by the Regional Conservation Area. Aside from the approximate 1,000 permanent residents, Huacachina is now a popular tourist destination for those traveling by car or bus along the western coast.
Plan Your Stay
We recommend spending at least two days with one overnight stay in Huacachina Oasis in Peru. The scenery of the desert is incredibly unique and makes for an interesting experience in Peru, but in the end, it’s quite small.
You can easily see all of the oasis and check out a few fun activities within a single day. Although it’s compact and easy to explore, the Huacachina Oasis isn’t the most accessible spot in Peru, and there is only one bus line that makes a stop here.
Also, there aren’t too many amenities within a close range of the natural oasis. Unless you have a car, it will be a challenge to shop for essentials like pharmacy items and groceries.
Oftentimes, travelers choose to stay here for one night, which will give them ample time to see the Oasis and spend time in the surrounding sand dunes. If you take the Peru Hop bus, you’ll be able to stop here in the middle of your Peru itinerary, either north to Paracas, or south to Nazca and Arequipa.
Places to Stay in Huacachina
Most of the accommodations in Huacachina Oasis in Peru are hostels, with very few options for hotels. If you prefer to stay in a typical hotel, you will likely have to travel outside of the oasis and into one of the nearby towns.
Wild Rover is a party hostel with a central pool and non-stop music. They have fun events every night, like salsa dance lessons and cultural shows.
For a slightly more upscale environment, try Kokopelli Hostel down the street from Wild Rover. Although this one is also considered a lively hostel by most accounts, there isn’t loud music playing all night.
What To Eat in Huacachina
Admittedly, my travel companion and I were pretty underwhelmed by the food options in Huacachina. The oasis itself is quite small (it would take you about 15 minutes to walk around the water), and there are limited restaurants. Out of the few restaurants in Huacachina, only one or two of them are actually decent.
We found the Tiki Backyard to have the best ambiance and food overall. As the name hints, it’s an outdoor tiki bar covered by a straw roof with friendly bartenders. If you prefer something not-so-central, you can choose from one of the secluded tables tucked away behind curtains of trees and leaves.
We saw a mix of young people chatting with new friends they met at their hostels, and professionals working on their laptops in quieter corners of the bar.
UTKU Cafe is your typical morning stop for avocado toast, breakfast pastries, and a strong cup of coffee. It’s one of the few places open as early as 6:30 AM, perfect for the early riser. We found that the Huacachina oasis in Peru is best explored in the early morning before it gets crowded, so UTKU might just become your pick-me-up spot.
What To Do in The Huacachina Oasis in Peru
What is there to do in the middle of a desert? Well, there are plenty of activities in the sand. Hire a dune buggy driver to take you on a high-speed race across the sandy plains. Or you can strap on skis and treat the sand as if it were a snow-covered mountain.
Join a Pisco Tour
About a 20-minute drive from Huacachina is a distillery that produces Peru’s national spirit: Pisco. This super-strong alcohol is made from fermented grapes and originated from the time the Spanish colonies brought grapes into the country.
On a pisco tasting at Nietto, you’ll get to sample from an expansive selection of pisco fusions, or even be served straight up if you’re bold enough!
The facility is huge and also includes a gift shop and restaurant. You’ll easily spend a few hours here.
Take an Oasis Boat Ride
While the oasis pond is quite small, there are a few paddle boats available to rent for a quick on-water adventure. You can rent them out for about 30 minutes at a time and paddle around the space.
Slide Down the Sand Dunes
With the use of a pair of skis or a snowboard, you can transport yourself to the top of a snow-capped mountain instead of the desert. Well, no, you’ll still be in the desert, but the Huacachina Oasis in Peru is known for their daily excursions into the sand dunes.
Most hostels will have group tours that you can book an experience through. If you travel by the Peru Hop bus line, you can also schedule your adventure directly through the app.
Whatever you choose–be it skiing or sandboarding–expect about two hours in the dunes. You’ll take a dune buggy with a group of people and head further away from the oasis so all you can see around you is sand. It’s truly a spectacular sight.
Or Speed Across the Sand Dunes
While you’ll likely get to ride in a sand buggy on your way to go sandboarding, you can also opt for a dedicated afternoon to the motorsport of your choice.
These tours last between two and three hours and usually depart in the late afternoon. It’s perfect timing if you want to catch one of those stunning desert sunsets!
