Sand boarding

2008-01-13, Ica, Peru

Previous | All | Next

A few km from Ica is the oasis of Huacachina. Easily gotten to by taxi from the bus drop off in Ica. There are quite a few hostals here so no reason to book ahead, off season that is. Built in a circle around a lagoon the town is fairly quiet except on weekends and the sound of the dune buggies running up and down the dunes. The sand dunes are huge and its cheap to rent a sand baord for an hour or so. You also have to buy a piece of broken candle to wax the board. You can either pay for a ride up on a buggy or just walk up which doesn´t take much time at all. Best to go in the morning or an hour or so before sunset since it gets pretty hot here during midday.

A cool thing to do during the midday is round up a taxi and have them take you to a winery for a tour and tasting. For about 40 to 50 soles you get the ride to and from Huacachina and also pay entrance to a winery where you will be shown how the local wine and pisco is made. Then you can get off your head tasting the pisco and wine. Get back and rest up for an hour or so till the buzz wears off and its time for some sand boarding.

Weekends are a big family time in Huacachina and the lagoon is full of swimmimg, screaming children. The dunes are packed and its a great time to people watch.

If yoù`ve ever surfed or snowboarded the the movements are essentially the same. Wear boots, easier on the ankles when you bust and be prepared to have sand in every crack of your body.