ICA

Altitude: 406 m
Climate: 18–30 °C | Hot desert, cool nights, almost no rain
Distance from Lima: 300 km (4 hours by car)

Ica is about pisco and adventure. Period. This is where Peruvian pisco is made, our signature spirit, and also the Huacachina oasis — that postcard-perfect spot that looks Photoshopped but is real.

The pisco wineries are family-run, artisanal. They welcome you like family, show you the process from grape to bottle, and of course, you taste. The acholado, quebranta, italia — each has its personality. They also make wine, which is good though not as famous as pisco.

Huacachina is like a mirage: a green lagoon surrounded by palm trees, hostels and restaurants around it, all in the middle of giant sand dunes. It seems made for Instagram, but it’s been there for a long time. Legend says a princess bathed there and turned into a mermaid. The place is stunning.

The most fun is the dune buggies and sandboarding. You hop in a buggy that seems like it’s going to fall apart, the driver speeds up the dunes like mad (pure adrenaline), and then you slide down the dunes on a board. It’s like snowboarding but on sand. Or, if you prefer less thrill, you just slide sitting down.

Practical tip: The sunset on the dunes is spectacular. Bring water, sunscreen, and sunglasses because the sand gets everywhere. The buggy tours run all day and last about 2 hours.