How to Get to Huacachina from Lima: Exactly How I Did It + What I’d Change (2025)

Huacachina is one of the most unique places in Peru and that’s saying a lot considering this country is home to Machu Picchu, the Amazon, and the Andes. But Huacachina stands out. It’s the only natural desert oasis in all of South America, and the tiny village surrounded by huge sand dunes really does feel like something out of a dream.

That said, being in the middle of the desert means it’s not the easiest place to reach. But with its growing popularity, there are now a few good ways to get there.

In this guide on how to get to Huacachina from Lima, I’ll break down the three most popular options, including the exact route I took, and what I actually recommend now that I’ve done it. Whether you’ve only got a day or you’re stopping here on your way to Arequipa or Cusco, this guide has everything you need to plan it out.

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How to Get to Huacachina from Lima: Exactly How I Did It + What I’d Change

How to Get to Huacachina Peru – My Experience

Before we jump into how to get to Huacachina, I wanna give you a bit of background so you know what to expect. When I was backpacking through Peru for two months, I had a bit more time to play with, so I decided to spend a night in Huacachina. And honestly, it was the perfect little break. After freezing my butt off in grey, gloomy Lima, pulling into the desert felt like stepping into a whole different country. The sun was blazing, the sky was blue, and suddenly I was back in shorts by a pool. It was amazing!

Huacachina itself is super small. It’s basically a little village wrapped around a palm tree-lined oasis, surrounded by giant sand dunes. You really only need a day here as there’s not a ton to do besides the sand buggy tour (which is the main event), a few places to eat, and maybe a chill by the pool if you’re staying overnight.

The buggy tour in Huacachina was one of the best things I did in all of Peru. You hop into these big dune buggies that race up and down the sand dunes, and it’s way more intense than I expected, but in the best way. It was like a full-blown rollercoaster. We were all screaming, laughing, and holding on for dear life. Then we stopped to watch the sun set over the dunes, and it was just… unreal.

If you’re debating whether it’s worth it to go, I say 100% yes. It’s not a place you need to carve out multiple days for, but it’s absolutely worth the detour, even just for an afternoon of adventure and desert sunshine.

Where is Huacachina?

Huacachina is a tiny desert oasis town in southwestern Peru, about 5–6 hours south of Lima by road. It’s technically part of the city of Ica, which is just a 10-minute drive away, but Huacachina feels like its own little world with sand dunes for miles, a small lagoon in the middle, and a handful of hostels and restaurants.

Even though it looks remote, getting there from Lima is actually pretty easy. Most travelers visit Huacachina either as a quick day trip from Lima or as a stop on the way to Arequipa, Cusco, or the Nazca Lines.

The Best Dune Buggy Tour in Huacachina Peru

How to Get to Huacachina From Lima

Even though Huacachina looks like it’s in the middle of the desert (because, well… it is), there are a few solid ways to get there from Lima.

Whether you’re short on time or planning a longer Peru itinerary, these are the best options to make the journey easy and stress-free.

Option 1: Book This Day Trip to Huacachina from Lima

If you only have one day to spare, this day trip to Huacachina from Lima is honestly the best option for visiting Huacachina. It removes all the stress and planning logistics that come with local transport. You just wake up, get picked up from your hotel in Lima, and go. It’s the most efficient way to see both Paracas and Huacachina in one swoop, and trust me, you don’t want to skip either.

Paracas is your first stop, and it’s famous for the Ballestas Islands, aka the “Poor Man’s Galápagos.” There are amazing sea lions chilling on the rocks and massive coastal cliffs that are stunning. From there, you head straight into the desert where Huacachina awaits, a literal oasis surrounded by giant golden sand dunes.

I will tell you, this is a super long day, as Huacachina is around a 5-hour drive from Lima. Pick up is around 5:30 am, and drop off is around 11:30 pm. But the bus is super comfy, and there is a lot packed into this day making it worth the effort!

Now, the reason I’m shouting about this specific tour is because it’s just better than the other day tours out there. It includes:

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Lima
A 2 hours boat tour of the Ballestas Islands in Paracas
Free time to grab food or explore the oasis in Huacachina
A 2 hour sand buggy and sandboarding adventure
A spacious, air-conditioned luxury bus the whole way

What really made this tour stand out for me is how smooth and easy everything is. You don’t have to figure out multiple bus schedules, haggle for tours on arrival, or worry about missing a connection. It’s the easiest, most time-efficient way to do this trip, especially if you’re planning to fly from Lima to Cusco afterwards instead of taking the night busses.

Option 2: Take the Lima to Huacachina Bus

If you’re not doing a day trip, taking the Lima to Ica bus is the most popular route to get to Huacachina and the one I personally went with. The ride is about 4 hours and 45 minutes, and honestly, it was smoother than expected. The bus was clean, the seats were comfy, and it wasn’t super packed, so I was able to nap most of the way.

I booked through RedBus and went with Peru Bus, which has a bunch of departures daily. Just choose the time that fits your travel schedule. Most buses leave from the La Victoria bus station in Lima and you’ll arrive at the Terminal Ica.

La Victoria Bus Station: Google Maps Location
Terminal Ica: Google Maps Location

Once you get to Ica, you’ll need to hop in a taxi to reach Huacachina. Ica to Huacachina is only a short 10-minute ride and super easy to find one right outside the station. Just make sure to confirm the price before getting in and have cash ready. It should cost around 10 soles.

This is the best option if you’re planning to spend the night in Huacachina or if you’re catching the night bus to Arequipa afterward. It gives you more flexibility to hang out, watch the sunset, or just chill after your sandboarding adventure.

This is the sunset buggy tour I did, and it was fantastic! I highly recommend booking early as the sunset tours are the first to sell out.

But keep in mind this route does not include Paracas, so if you’re hoping to visit both spots, you’ll need to plan Paracas separately, which is why the tour from Lima makes more sense if you’re short on time or want to hit both places in one go.

Option 3: Drive Yourself

Driving is actually a pretty solid option once you get out of Lima. I’ve traveled to quite a few countries, and I can confidently say that Peru has some of the worst drivers I’ve ever seen. Especially in Lima. People are on their brakes and gas like it’s a sport. But once you escape the city chaos, the Lima to Huacachina drive is smooth and easy to follow.

If you’re considering this option, you can book a car online ahead of time. I recommend picking it up in Miraflores or somewhere close to your hotel, so you’re not navigating too far through the madness. Rental cars in Peru typically cost around $19 to $30 a day, which isn’t too bad if you’re splitting the cost with a couple of friends.

This is also a great idea if you’re planning to stop in Paracas along the way. You can hit both spots on your own timeline without sticking to a tour schedule, which is perfect if you like doing your own thing. Most travelers don’t go this route, but if you’re confident behind the wheel, it can be a super convenient and flexible way to travel.

What’s the Best Way to Get to Huacachina from Lima?

I ended up taking the bus myself since I was traveling Peru on a tight backpacker budget. I stayed the night in Huacachina and then caught the night bus to Arequipa, so if you’re planning to travel Peru by road, this is probably your best bet too. It was affordable, chill, and pretty easy to manage but, because I hate planning logistics, I totally missed out on Paracas… and honestly, that was a bummer.

Also the night bus from Huacachina to Arequipa was sooooo long! If I were to do it again, I would have went back to Lima, and booked a flight!

If you’re short on time or heading back to Lima for a flight, the day trip tour is 100% the way to go. Everything is taken care of, you don’t have to think about a thing, and you get to squeeze in both Huacachina and Paracas in just one day. It’s efficient, super fun, and a great way to meet other travelers along the way.

And trust me, Huacachina is worth visiting. It was such a fun stop and one of those places that really made my time in Peru special. I really hope this guide helped you figure out how to get to Huacachina from Lima… and maybe even made the decision a little easier!

FAQ About How to Get from Lima to Huacachina

How far is Huacachina from Lima?

Huacachina is about 320 kilometers (roughly 200 miles) south of Lima. Travel time depends on how you’re getting there, but it usually takes around 4.5 to 5 hours by car or bus.

How do you get from Lima to Huacachina?

You’ve got a few solid options: you can take a direct day trip tour from Lima (my top recommendation), hop on a bus to Ica and grab a short taxi ride to Huacachina, or rent a car and drive yourself if you’re feeling adventurous. All of these will get you to the desert oasis—you just have to choose the one that fits your travel style.

Can you do a day trip to Huacachina from Lima?

Yes! A day trip to Huacachina from Lima is totally doable and actually one of the most popular ways to visit. Tours often include a stop in Paracas and take care of all the transport, so you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the dunes without any stress. Personally, I recommend this tour!

Is Huacachina worth visiting?

Absolutely. Huacachina has gotten pretty touristy over the years, but personally I still think it’s 100% worth visiting. Whether you’re backpacking across Peru or wanting to do a day trip, Huacachina is one of those places that feels completely different from everywhere else. The sunsets over the dunes are out of this world, and the dune buggy tour was some of the most fun I had in all of Peru! You can’t miss it!

How to get to Huacachina from Lima by bus?

Take a bus from Lima to Ica (about 4.5 to 5 hours), then grab a taxi to Huacachina. The taxi takes around 10 minutes and costs about 10 soles. Most buses leave from La Victoria in Lima and arrive at Terminal Ica. I used RedBus to book mine and went with Peru Bus