Are Huacachina & Paracas Worth It? An Honest Rating of What to Do (And What to Skip)

Let’s get right to it: Are Huacachina and Paracas worth visiting?

Short answer: Not as the main event. But, if you are passing through on the bus between Lima, Cusco, or Arequipa, then yes, definitely. A day or two here can be one of the highlights of your trip, if you know what to do and what to skip.

Here’s my honest rating of the experiences I had, from “totally worth it” in Huacachina to a “hard pass” in Paracas.

1. Dune buggying & sandboarding, Huacachina: 10/10
2. Scallop harvesting with locals, Paracas: 10/10
3. Biking in Paracas National Reserve, Paracas: 7/10
4. The Ballestas Island Tour, Paracas: 3/10

1. Dune Buggying & Sandboarding in Huacachina: 10/10

This was a perfect 10 – worth it! First, let’s be real: the Huacachina oasis itself is tiny and a bit underwhelming. But the dunes are far more expansive and impressive than you can imagine, and the “fun and flirty” hostel vibe is electric.

The dune buggy and sandboarding tour is the main event and an incredible bonding experience, even with complete strangers.

• The Ride: This is not for the faint of heart. It’s a pure adrenaline rush. Your driver whips the buggy up, down, and around the massive dunes like a roller coaster. If you get motion sickness (I do), be warned.
• The Sandboarding: You’ll stop at the crest of a massive dune to try sandboarding. Some of us tried it standing up (like snowboarding), and later, we went pummeling face first down the dunes.
• The Finale: The best part was the finale. Our driver, Antonio, took us to one of the highest points in the dunes and we boarded down four subsequent hills, finishing at the very bottom. This was ideal because it meant we avoided that punishing walk back to the top.

Pro-Tip: Book the 4 PM tour. It gets you to the dune ridge just in time to watch the sun dip behind the desert. Dune buggying and sandboarding in Huacachina is worth it – 10/10.

The tour cost 50 soles, or ~$15 USD. I stayed at Bananas Adventure Hostel Huacachina and booked my tour here. Definitely recommend. If you stay, you also get 20% off the tour. 

If you prefer to book in advance, and you want to go sand skiing too – yup that’s a thing, check out this tour option. It’s more expensive, but it includes the skiing and it’s significantly longer, at around 3.5 hours vs. 2 hours.

2. Scallop Harvesting with Locals in Paracas: 10/10

This was the other “perfect 10,” and it’s the polar opposite of the dune buggies, no adrenaline here. As I wrote in my full review of the scallop tour, this is the single most authentic thing you can do in Paracas.

You skip the crowded tourist boats on the way to the Ballestas Islands and go out with a local family on their small fishing boat. You learn about their sustainable scallop farming, get to dive for scallops yourself, and eat them au natural (my favorite!) right on the boat.

It’s a genuine, peaceful, and delicious cultural experience. A true highlight of my time in Peru. (The tour cost 180 soles, or ~ USD).

3. Biking in Paracas National Reserve: 7/10

I actually loved this, but I can’t give it a perfect score. Why? Because it was HOT AF and the wind was fierce.

I bike every day in Amsterdam, and the combination of steep climbs, desert sun, and relentless wind challenged me. It was like the hardest spin class of my life – mostly because it lasted far longer than the typical 60 minutes.

That said, as a solo girl biking through the desert (in a dress, no less – odd choice, I know), I got a ton of kudos from locals and truckers, which was pretty ego-boosting. I also passed a guy named Lucas about a quarter-mile in… never saw him again. I hope he made it. Or maybe he was a desert mirage. 

Why I loved it? I spent the majority of the day alone, enjoying the never ending panoramic views and the desert serenity. I only passed two other bikers other than Lucas. So as you may have guessed… 

My advice: If you’re flying solo and don’t want to spend all day suffering, join a dune buggy tour of Paracas National Reserve instead. Yes that’s an option, and the right option, who are we kidding. You’ll see so much more of the park, with time to spare for lunch and some relaxation at the beach.

You can also join an evening trekking tour to see the park in the absolute best lighting, and without the scorching sun. Or at the very least, join a group bike tour to Paracas National Reserve, to avoid the near death experiences I endured.

If you do want the solo challenge: Be prepared. Bring tons of water, snacks, and sunscreen. Also head out early to avoid the midday heat. And make sure to take a map from the guy at the control office. It’s better than the ones the bike shops pass out.

The bike rental was 30 soles (about USD) for the day, and the park entrance was 11 soles (about .25 USD). 

4. The Ballestas Islands Tour in Paracas: 3/10

And now, for the true bummer of the list. 

I’m being harsh, but this type of experience is simply not my cup of tea. Ever. I 1000% knew that before I even decided to do it, but I felt the need to experience it for myself.

So alas, I woke up at 7 AM, paid 50 soles (about USD) at a local agency, Paracas Explorer, and hopped on the 8 AM boat with the rest of the tourists. You can also book this same tour online in advance for convenience.

First, you see the Candelabra geoglyph, which is admittedly cool and impressive. Then, it’s off to the islands to see sea lions, Humboldt penguins, boobies, pelicans and more. It truly is the “poor man’s Galapagos.”

Why wasn’t it worth it? This type of tour just doesn’t make me feel good. As well-protected as the area is, I still felt we were in too big of a group, a bit too close, and being way too loud to consider it respectful.

My Advice: Honestly? Skip it. But if you’re anything like me, you won’t. You need to still go, and then complain.

If you do go, bring a jacket, wear sunscreen, and eat a light breakfast. You spend a lot of time just floating and flip-flopping directions so everyone can snap their perfect picture, which can be nauseating. Plus, everything is repeated in English, Spanish, and in my case, Russian. It’s a lot of listening.

Maybe I’m just a snob since I’ve been to the real Galapagos, and there’s simply no competition. That said, it’s a quick 2-hours that you’ll probably end up partaking in if you’re in Paracas.

Final Verdict

If you have two days to spend in the Ica region, here is my approved plan:

• Day 1 (Paracas): Do the Scallop harvesting tour (10/10) in the morning. In the afternoon, dune buggy tour of Paracas National Reserve. Catch the sunset by the pool at your hotel.
• Day 2 (Huacachina): Arrive midday, enjoy lunch by the pool. Do the 4 PM dune buggy & sandboarding tour (10/10). Maybe try the board & ski tour, it looks fun! Have a fun night at your hostel or another nearby.
• What to Skip: The Ballestas Islands Tour.

This way, you get two totally worth it days in Huacachina and Paracas filled with adrenaline and authenticity, and you skip the “meh” tourist traps.

Bonus: Where to stay in Huacachina and Paracas

Huacachina: Stay at Bananas Adventure Hostel

I stayed at Bananas Adventure Hostel Huacachina. This experience made Huacachina even more worth it. It was one of my favorites stays during my time in Peru. If you stay, you also get 20% off the dune buggy & sandboarding tour. This is a great hostel for those of us 30+, as they implement quiet hours. They’ve got a pool, the food is surprisingly delicious and affordable (try the lomo saltado). Great bar, friendly staff and a solid breakfast spread from 7 AM – 10 AM. Plus, great WiFi. 

Paracas: Stay at Atoq Paracas Reserve

Atoq Paracas Reserve is a charming boutique hotel about a 15-minute walk from the town. Their breakfast spread is also a 10/10 and you can’t beat the views, little swimming pool and quiet location. They also have kayaks and bikes available (not meant for the National Reserve) for free. Highlight: Check out isn’t until noon, so I had plenty of time to shower after my adventures.

If you are looking for a more social vibe, this is not that. Try Viajero Hostel instead, in town and also right on the water.

Follow along on the rest of my adventures in Peru.