Sand buggies
Up and down the dunes.
Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Pitxiquin — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0
A small village around a green lagoon in the heart of a vast desert of towering sand dunes, ringed by palm trees, looking like an oasis from a storybook and nicknamed the «oasis of America». It was pictured on the back of the Peruvian 50-sol note. Around the lagoon are small hotels and restaurants, and towering golden dunes rise all around. The best-known activity is the «tubulares», open sand buggies that race up and down the dunes like a roller coaster, followed by sandboarding down the slopes. The best time for a ride is just before sunset, when the dunes turn orange and gold and the buggies stop on a crest to watch the sun go down over a sea of sand. You can also climb the nearest dunes on foot for a view of the oasis from above. Buggy rides are fast and thrilling, so they do not suit anyone with back problems or who is pregnant; choose a known company with good seat belts. Some hostels make the village noisy at night. From here, visitors also tour the vineyards around Ica.
Up and down the dunes.
Golden slopes.
From a dune crest.
About 5 km west of Ica city, southern Peru; about 4.5 hours by road from Lima
Generally yes with a known company and good seat belts, but they are fast and bumpy, so not for pregnant visitors or anyone with back trouble. Ask the driver to slow down if you wish.