About All ToursFrom Lima ToursDune Buggy Toursand Paracas ToursSandboarding Tours Directions Hours & Fees
Find Tours 
Experience the massive desert dunes of Peru with a sandboarding and dune buggy tour in Huacachina. Choose from quick one-hour adrenaline rides to comprehensive day trips from Lima, featuring professional instructors and top-rated equipment.
Free Cancellation Private UTV tour through Huacachina's dunes with sandboarding and desert views for up to three people.
Free Cancellation Master the dunes with lessons from a four-time world champion and Peru's only professional international snowboarder.
Free Cancellation Ride through the Huacachina dunes with veteran drivers and try sandboarding on the desert slopes.
Free Cancellation Ride high-speed buggies and sandboard through the Huacachina dunes before watching the sunset over the desert.
Free Cancellation Explore Huacachina's dunes on a private ROV tour featuring sandboarding and a desert sunset.
Free Cancellation Experience a mix of outdoor adventure, scenic landscapes, and local flavors on this guided tour.
Free Cancellation Explore desert dunes by buggy, learn to sandboard with an instructor, and watch the sunset from a scenic overlook.
Free Cancellation Explore the Ica desert by dune buggy and try sandboarding, with the option to watch the sunset over the dunes.
Free Cancellation A full-day trip from Lima to see the Ballestas Islands' wildlife and go sandboarding in the Huacachina desert.
Free Cancellation Explore Huacachina's giant dunes by buggy and master sandboarding or sand skiing with expert instructors.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Huacachina — from practical tips to personal highlights.
A sandboarding and dune buggy tour in Huacachina is a high-energy desert adventure unlike anything else in South America. You will strap into an off-road vehicle to conquer massive, towering sand dunes before sliding down steep sandy peaks with the famous desert oasis as your backdrop.
Hold on tight as experienced local drivers navigate open-frame dune buggies or private UTVs over massive sand dunes. The ride feels like a desert rollercoaster, complete with steep drops and sharp turns.
After reaching the top of the dunes, you will get the chance to slide down on a sandboard. Most visitors ride lying down on their stomachs for a thrilling and safe descent, while pros can try standing up.
Tours booked for the late afternoon include a stop at a high vantage point to watch the sunset. Seeing the sun sink into the orange desert abyss while the oasis lights turn on is a magical experience.
From the top of the 500-meter dunes, you get an incredible bird's-eye view of the Huacachina village. The contrast of the green, palm-fringed natural lake against the endless arid desert is a photographer's dream.
For those wanting more than a standard tourist slide, specialized tours offer real sandskiing and snowboarding equipment. You can learn proper carving techniques from professional instructors.
Planning your Huacachina sandboarding trip requires a bit of preparation to ensure you get the best time slot and the right type of tour for your group.
You can choose between standard group dune buggies holding up to 10-12 people, or private UTV (Utility Task Vehicle) tours for 2-3 passengers. There are also full-day tours departing from Lima that combine Huacachina with the Ballestas Islands in Paracas.
The 16:00 (4:00 PM) time slot is the most popular because it offers cooler temperatures and stunning sunset views over the dunes. Because of its popularity, especially on weekends, you should book this specific time well in advance.
While entering the Huacachina village is free, anyone participating in a dune buggy tour must pay a local municipal desert tax. Group tours typically cost $18 to $25 USD, but always check if the local tax is included in your booking or if you need to pay it in cash upon arrival.
Standard buggy safety harnesses are built for adults and don't fit small children safely. If you are traveling with toddlers under 4, it is highly recommended to book a private buggy so the driver can go at a much slower, age-appropriate pace.
Sneakers are absolutely mandatory if you want to sandboard. You should also wear lightweight trousers to prevent sand burns on your legs, and bring a buff or bandana to cover your mouth and nose from the blowing sand during the buggy ride.
Most major tour operators and bookings made through platforms like Viator offer a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time, giving you flexibility if your travel plans change.
| Standard Group Buggy & Sandboard | Private UTV Adventure | Pro Sandboard/Sandski Lesson | Full-Day Tour from Lima | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 hours | 1 hour | 3 to 4 hours | 16 to 18 hours |
| Group Size | Up to 12 people | 1 to 3 people | Small group (Max 15) | Medium group |
| Key Inclusions | Buggy ride, basic sandboard, sunset stop | Private Polaris/Can-Am UTV, sandboard, custom pace | Professional skis/boards, boots, instructor, GoPro footage | Lima hotel pickup, Ballestas Islands boat, vineyard tour, buggy ride |
| Price from | $22 - $30 USD | $35 - $45 USD | $55 - $60 USD | $85 - $110 USD |
Huacachina Oasis: The village itself is a public area and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round.
Dune Buggy Tours: Tour operators maintain their own schedules, usually running trips from early morning until dusk. The most highly recommended tours run in the late afternoon, specifically from 16:00 to 18:00, to catch the sunset and avoid the midday heat.
Restaurants and Bars: Most local establishments open around 8:00 AM for breakfast and stay open late into the night, as the village is known for its active nightlife.
Huacachina is located about 4 to 5 hours south of Lima and 5 kilometers from the city of Ica. There is no airport, so you must travel by road.
Best Months: The ideal time to visit is during the dry season from April to October. The weather is consistently warm and sunny, providing the best conditions for clear golden hour photography.
Months to Avoid: While it is a year-round destination, the summer months of December to March can bring intense heat (up to 30°C). During this time, a lingering haze can obscure late afternoon views, and the village gets very crowded with weekend day-trippers from Lima.
Time of Day: Always aim for the late afternoon (around 4:00 PM) for dune activities. The sand is too hot during midday, and the lighting is harsh for photos.
Wheelchair Users: Accessibility is highly limited. The sandy desert terrain and lack of paved ramps on the dunes make standard tours impossible for wheelchairs. However, the flat village boardwalk can be navigated with assistance.
Elderly Travelers: Walking distances in the tiny village are very short. While climbing steep dunes is not recommended, seniors can enjoy paddle boating on the lagoon or booking a private dune buggy ride driven at a reduced, comfortable speed.
Children: Huacachina is family-friendly, but caution is needed. Dune buggy safety harnesses are designed for adults. Toddlers under 4 have limited options, and parents should book private, slow-paced buggies for safety.
Money: There are no ATMs in the Huacachina oasis. You must withdraw cash (Peruvian soles) in the nearby city of Ica before arriving. While some hotels take cards, they often charge extra transaction fees.
Accommodation: The village offers everything from lively backpacker hostels to unique canvas glamping tents with full beds, electricity, and large swimming pools with swim-up bars.
Food & Drink: A small boardwalk circles the lagoon, featuring cafes, restaurants, and bars set in old Spanish colonial revival architecture.
Dress Code: Closed-toe shoes (sneakers) are mandatory for sandboarding. Avoid loose flowing fabrics, shorts, and flip-flops, as they collect sand and increase injury risk on the buggies.
Prohibited Items: Single-use plastics are banned to prevent littering on the dunes. Drones and aerial flights are strictly prohibited without prior official authorization.
Lagoon Restrictions: Swimming in the natural lagoon is strongly discouraged due to poor water quality, stagnation, and algae build-up. Use your hotel pool instead.
Safety: Only book with licensed buggy operators. Avoid informal street-sold tours, as they lack proper insurance and safety standards.
No, swimming in the lagoon is strongly discouraged. The water is untreated, suffers from stagnation, and has a lot of algae build-up, so it's best to stick to your hotel's swimming pool.
A standard 2-hour shared group buggy and sandboarding tour usually costs between $18 and $25 USD. Premium small-group tours or private UTVs range from $35 to $45 USD, while fully private large buggies can cost over $100 USD.
Not at all. In fact, unless you are an experienced snowboarder, guides highly recommend sliding down the dunes lying on your stomach. It is much safer and prevents severe falls on the steep sand.
You must wear closed-toe shoes like sneakers to participate in sandboarding. It's also smart to wear lightweight pants to avoid sand burns, and bring a bandana or buff to cover your mouth from blowing sand during the buggy ride.
No, there are no ATMs inside the oasis village. You need to withdraw plenty of Peruvian soles in the city of Ica before you arrive, as many places charge extra fees for credit card payments.
Standard buggy tours can be rough, and the safety harnesses are designed for adult frames, meaning they don't fit small children properly. If you have toddlers under 4, you should book a private buggy and ask the driver to go at a slow, safe pace.
The 16:00 (4:00 PM) time slot is universally considered the best time to go. The desert heat starts to cool down, and you get to watch a spectacular sunset over the massive sand dunes.
Yes, full-day tours from Lima are very popular. They usually last 16 to 18 hours and often combine the Huacachina sandboarding experience with a morning boat tour of the Ballestas Islands in Paracas.
Yes, but you need to be careful. Bring a ziplock bag to protect your phone or camera when you aren't using it, as the fine desert sand gets into everything. Changing camera lenses on the dunes is highly discouraged.
While entering the village is free, participating in dune activities requires a municipal desert tax. Depending on the tour you book, this tax (usually a few dollars) might be included, or you may have to pay it in cash before boarding the buggy.
Browse verified tours with free cancellation and instant confirmation.
Find Tours
Explore the sand dunes surrounding the Huacachina oasis in a private UTV (Utility Task Vehicle). This one-hour tour is designed for small groups of up to three passengers, allowing you to navigate the desert terrain with a focus on the landscape. Along the route, you will stop at various viewpoints to see the oasis from above and try sandboarding on the dunes. The tour runs every hour between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, requiring a minimum of two participants per booking. We provide all necessary equipment, including amateur sandboarding gear, helmets, and goggles. There are also scheduled stops throughout the trip to take photos of the desert scenery. For your safety, we include personal accident insurance for every passenger. Our agency is a member of the Peruvian Association of Adventure Tourism, Ecotourism, and Specialized Tourism, ensuring we follow established safety and professional guidelines.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Train at the school founded by a four-time sandboarding world champion and the only professional athlete representing Peru in global snowboarding competitions. This experience moves beyond standard tourist sliding, offering technical instruction from a rider who competes at the highest international levels on both sand and snow. Our sessions focus on the mechanics of the sport, teaching you how to carve, balance, and control your speed with professional-grade technique. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider, you will learn the specific skills needed to navigate steep dunes safely and confidently under the guidance of a world-class competitor.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
As one of the original buggy operators in Huacachina, we have spent years navigating these specific desert routes. Our drivers are highly experienced locals who know how to handle the shifting terrain safely while showing you the scale of the dunes. The tour takes you into the heart of the desert for a mix of driving and sandboarding. We provide the boards and guidance needed to slide down the slopes, making sure you get plenty of time to practice and enjoy the views of the oasis from the high points of the desert.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
Located four hours south of Lima, the Huacachina Oasis is the only natural desert oasis in South America. This group tour takes you into the surrounding desert landscape, which is famous for its massive sand dunes and steep terrain. Professional drivers navigate the buggies across the dunes at high speeds, stopping at various points so you can try sandboarding down the slopes. The experience is timed to end at a scenic viewpoint, allowing you to watch the sunset over the desert before heading back to the oasis.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
Take a private ROV (Recreational Off-Road Vehicle) tour through the desert dunes surrounding Huacachina. Unlike standard group excursions, this service is entirely private, allowing for a more personalized pace as you navigate the steep sandy terrain. In addition to the off-road drive, you can stop to sandboard down the dunes. The experience is timed to catch the sunset, offering a clear view of the desert landscape as the sun dips below the horizon.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This tour is built for travelers who want to combine outdoor excitement with the region's natural beauty. You’ll spend the day exploring diverse landscapes, offering a balance of active exploration and quiet moments in nature. Beyond the adventure, the itinerary highlights local gastronomy. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy traditional dishes while taking in the views, making it a well-rounded experience for anyone looking to discover the area’s scenery and culture in a single trip.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This tour takes you into the desert for a buggy ride across the high dunes. We make several stops along the route, allowing you to see the landscape from different angles and take photos of the surrounding desert. Once we reach a suitable slope, we begin the sandboarding portion of the trip. We will show you the basic techniques for gliding down the sand, and you'll have time to practice on the dunes at your own pace. The final stop is at an elevated, quiet point in the desert. We pause here to watch the sun set over the horizon before heading back, providing a clear view of the landscape as the light changes.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This tour takes you into the Ica desert for an off-road excursion in a specialized dune buggy. You will travel across the expansive landscape, navigating the steep climbs and descents of the high sand dunes with an experienced driver. During the trip, the buggy stops at various points to allow for sandboarding. Boards are provided so you can slide down the dunes at your own pace. If you choose a late afternoon departure, the tour includes a stop to watch the sunset over the desert horizon before heading back.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This full-day trip from Lima covers two of Peru's most famous coastal destinations: the Ballestas Islands and the Huacachina oasis. You will start the morning in Paracas with a boat tour to observe sea lions and penguins in their natural habitat, before heading inland to the Ica desert. In Huacachina, the tour includes a dune buggy ride across the high sands and an opportunity to try sandboarding. The schedule is organized to balance both locations in a single day, providing a direct way to see the region’s marine life and desert landscapes without an overnight stay. Transportation is provided via a shared vehicle with pickup and drop-off at hotels in Miraflores. If local traffic or road conditions prevent direct access to your hotel, we will arrange a convenient meeting point nearby to keep the departure on schedule.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Portuguese, English, Spanish
Huacachina is home to some of the largest sand dunes in the region, making it a prime spot for desert sports. You’ll head into the dunes aboard a 4WD buggy, driven by an experienced pilot who knows how to navigate the steep, shifting terrain. Once in the heart of the desert, professional instructors will teach you how to sandboard or sand ski. They provide a brief demonstration on technique and safety before you hit the slopes yourself. This part of the tour is designed for all skill levels, from beginners to those with more experience. We also set aside time during the trip to stop for photos and videos. This gives you a chance to capture the views of the oasis and the surrounding landscape from the high ridges before heading back.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish