Walk down the Malecón around the Huacachina Lagoon in the late afternoon and the sand dunes rise directly behind the water, with sandboarders dropping down the slopes as the light softens. It is the image most travellers carry away from Ica, and it sits within easy reach of the city itself.
Ica suits travellers who want desert landscapes, archaeology and pisco country in a single stop, and who are happy to build a day around a lagoon, a museum and a winery rather than around a long list of monuments. The city also works as a base for the vineyards and wineries of the surrounding area, which produce Pisco, the national beverage, and wine.
1. Huacachina Lagoon
The Huacachina Lagoon is the only oasis in South America, surrounded by huge sand dunes where you can practice sandboarding. It is the single experience most closely associated with Ica, and the combination of water, palms and open sand is what makes it worth the time.
Plan to combine the lagoon with sandboarding on the surrounding dunes, since the two sit together. Late afternoon gives you the best light for both the water and the sand.
2. El Museo Regional de Ica
El Museo Regional de Ica is the archaeology museum, full of clay pottery, mummies, trepanned human skulls (skulls that have had holes drilled into them for surgical reasons, while the person was alive), and textiles from the various indigenous groups that have lived in the Ica region for thousands of years. The dry sand from the desert preserves the bodies and fabrics in impressive condition.
The museum costs S/10 (soles), and is worth a visit although superior museums can be found in Lima, Arequipa, and the north of Peru. Set aside a proper block of time for it rather than squeezing it in at the end of the day.
3. Vineyards and wineries of the Ica area
There are several vineyards and wineries, which produce Pisco, the national beverage, and wine. Visiting one is the most direct way to understand what the region grows and makes.
Because there are several, choose one rather than trying to cover them all, and treat the visit as the anchor of a half day rather than a quick stop.
4. Museo de Piedras Grabadas
Museo de Piedras Grabadas, the Engraved Stones Museum, holds a large collection of round, smooth stones with images of fish, dinosaurs, and people carved on them. The creator of the museum claims they are thousands of years old, but virtually all scientists hold a skeptical opinion of the rocks and strongly suspect they are modern hoaxes.
The museum is rarely open because the building and its exhibits were heavily damaged during a 2007 earthquake, so treat a visit as a possibility rather than a fixed plan. If you like the X Files, you will love this mystery.
5. The Who
The Who is by far the most popular dance club (discoteca) in Ica, and on Friday and Saturday nights it is full of young and middle-aged people dancing and drinking the night away. It is the obvious choice if you want a night out rather than an early finish.
Go on a Friday or Saturday night, when the club is at its fullest, and keep it as the final stop of the evening.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at El Museo Regional de Ica, where the pottery, mummies, trepanned skulls and textiles give you the long history of the region before you see anything else. The museum costs S/10 (soles), so allow enough time to work through the collection properly.
Afternoon: Move on to the Huacachina Lagoon, the only oasis in South America, surrounded by huge sand dunes where you can practice sandboarding. Stay for the late afternoon, when the light on the water and the dunes is at its best, and combine the lagoon with sandboarding on the surrounding slopes.
Evening: Spend the evening at a vineyard or winery in the area, since there are several and they produce Pisco, the national beverage, and wine. If you want to continue, The Who is by far the most popular dance club in Ica, and Friday and Saturday nights are when it fills with young and middle-aged people dancing and drinking the night away.
What is the Huacachina Lagoon known for?
It is the only oasis in South America, surrounded by huge sand dunes where you can practice sandboarding.
What can you see at El Museo Regional de Ica?
The archaeology museum is full of clay pottery, mummies, trepanned human skulls (skulls that have had holes drilled into them for surgical reasons, while the person was alive), and textiles from the various indigenous groups that have lived in the Ica region for thousands of years. The dry sand from the desert preserves the bodies and fabrics in impressive condition.
How much does El Museo Regional de Ica cost?
The museum costs S/10 (soles).
Is the Museo de Piedras Grabadas worth planning around?
It is rarely open because the building and its exhibits were heavily damaged during a 2007 earthquake, so it is difficult to rely on. The stones carry images of fish, dinosaurs, and people, but virtually all scientists hold a skeptical opinion of the rocks and strongly suspect they are modern hoaxes.
Decide which of these you want most, then build your days around the lagoon, the museum and a winery visit before you arrive.