About Ica
Ica is Peru's sun-drenched coastal region where desert landscapes meet world-class wine and pisco production. This is the heart of Peruvian viticulture, with bodegas (wineries) offering tours and tastings of the famous pisco brandy. The region's crown jewel is the Huacachina Oasis, a stunning natural lagoon surrounded by towering sand dunes perfect for exhilarating dune buggy rides and sandboarding. Ica is also the gateway to the mysterious Nazca Lines, ancient geoglyphs etched into the desert floor that remain one of South America's greatest archaeological enigmas. The regional capital, also named Ica, features colonial architecture and the Museo Regional de Ica, housing impressive collections of Paracas and Nazca artifacts, including elongated skulls and ancient textiles. For nature lovers, the Paracas National Reserve offers dramatic coastal cliffs, sea lion colonies, and the chance to see Humboldt penguins and flamingos. Ica's unique blend of adventure, archaeology, and agricultural heritage makes it an unforgettable destination.
Upcoming Events in Ica
Entertainment
Miss Malaika Ghana 2025 Grand Finale
Date TBC
Accra, Ghana
From GHS 100
Art & Craft
Asa Baako - Jungle Party
Date TBC
Busua, Ghana
From GHS 150
Spiritual Gathering
Reformation Community Leadership Summit
Date TBC
Accra, Ghana
Free
Comedy
Comedicine by Fun Factory
Date TBC
Kampala, Uganda
From UGX 30,000
Outdoor Activity
Sunday Potluck in the Park: a multilingual gathering
Date TBC
Accra, Ghana
From GHS 59
Music
Seli's Bistro presents Monthly Life Band Music with Cedi Band
Date TBC
Accra, Ghana
Free
Things to do in Ica
Professional Sandboarding and Sandskiing Tour, Ica, Peru
From $57
5.0 (42)
Pisco and wine route, Huacachina, Buggies, Sandboard and sunset
From $34
5.0 (26)
Dinner at Huacachina Desert
From $160
5.0 (25)
Ballestas Islands and Mini Buggy Adventure from Ica
From $70
5.0 (24)
Ica City Tour + Buggies & Sandboarding
From $38.5
5.0 (17)
Guided Tour to the Museum of Ica, huacachina, buggy and sandboarding
From $35
5.0 (10)
Private Tour Miradores Palpa Nazca with Nazca Lines Overflight
From $185
5.0 (10)
Pisco Tasting and Buggies with Sandboarding
From $39
5.0 (9)
Paragliding over the Desert
From €120
5.0 (9)
Buggy and Sandboard and Sunset in Huacachina
From $24
5.0 (8)
Private Transportation between Ica Bus Terminal and Huacachina Hotels
From $7
5.0 (7)
Tacama Winery: Don Manuel Tour with Tasting
Experience of Pisco's Route and Adrenaline Buggy in Huacachina
From $100
5.0 (7)
Huacachina Buggy Sunset
From $25
5.0 (6)
Huacachina: UTV Buggy Expedition & Premium Desert Celebration
From $49
5.0 (5)Places to visit in Ica
Zoo
Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre
Entebbe, Uganda
From UGX 10
Mall
Accra Mall
Accra, Ghana
Landmark
National Theatre
Accra, Ghana
Pub
The Honeysuckle
Accra, Ghana
Casual Dining
The Local - Bugolobi
Kampala, Uganda
Pub
Sky Bar
Accra, Ghana
Pub
+233 Jazz Bar & Grill
Accra, Ghana
Stay
Lemala Wildwaters Lodge
Jinja, Uganda
From $500
Specialty
The Lawns
Kampala, Uganda
From UGX 0
Park
Extreme Adventure Park - Busiika
Wakiso, Uganda
Attraction
Murchison Falls
Masindi, Uganda
Zoo
The Reptile Village
Entebbe, Uganda
From UGX 15,000
Attraction
Sempaya Male Hot Springs
Bundibugyo, Uganda
Fine Dining
Aurous Restaurant
Kampala, Uganda
Specialty
Le Tandem
Accra, Ghana
Travel Tips for Ica
Getting Around
Within Ica city, taxis are cheap and plentiful; always negotiate the fare before getting in. Colectivos (shared minivans) and mototaxis are common for short trips. For longer distances, comfortable inter-city buses connect Ica to Lima, Nazca, and Paracas. To visit the Nazca Lines viewing tower or nearby sites, join a tour or hire a private driver. In Huacachina, everything is walkable, but dune buggies are the main transport for adventure. Car rentals are available but not generally recommended for tourists due to aggressive local driving styles and complex traffic in cities. Popular ride-hailing apps like Uber and Beat operate in Ica city.
Best Time To Visit
Year-round, but the ideal time is from December to March (Peruvian summer) for warm, sunny days perfect for beach visits and dune adventures. However, this is also the peak tourist season. The grape harvest ("vendimia") festival in Ica occurs in March, featuring parades, wine tastings, and cultural events—a fantastic but busy time to visit. April to November offers cooler, often overcast mornings ("garúa" mist) but pleasant afternoons, with fewer crowds. Avoid the short, intense heatwave period in February if extremely high temperatures are a concern.
Local Customs
Dress modestly when visiting churches or rural communities. Casual, lightweight clothing is suitable for the hot climate, but cover up in the intense sun. Tipping is appreciated but not always expected. In restaurants, a 10% tip is customary if service isn't included. Tip tour guides and drivers a small amount. Greetings are important; a handshake or a kiss on one cheek (among women or between men and women) is common. Be respectful when discussing or visiting archaeological sites like the Nazca Lines. Pisco is a source of regional pride—participate in tastings respectfully. Bargaining is acceptable in markets but be polite. Sunday is a family day; many smaller shops may be closed.
Safety Information
Ica city and tourist areas like Huacachina are generally safe during the day. Exercise increased caution at night, especially in isolated areas. Avoid walking alone after dark. Petty theft (pickpocketing, bag snatching) occurs in crowded markets and bus stations—keep valuables secure and out of sight. Use only official, registered taxis or ride-hailing apps; avoid unmarked cabs. When visiting the Nazca Lines, book flights only with reputable, licensed tour operators with good safety records. Be cautious of overly friendly strangers offering unsolicited tours or deals. Scams involving fake tour guides or inflated prices for dune buggy rides in Huacachina are reported—book through established agencies or your hotel.
Health Information
Private clinics in Ica city offer reasonable care for minor issues; serious conditions require transfer to Lima. Public hospitals are under-resourced. Altitude sickness is not a concern here (coastal desert). Dehydration and sunstroke are common risks due to extreme heat and dry climate—drink plenty of bottled water, use high-SPF sunscreen, and wear a hat. Mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue are present; use repellent. Tap water is not safe to drink. Ensure routine vaccinations are up to date; Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended. Travelers' diarrhea is common—avoid street food if you have a sensitive stomach. Pharmacies ("farmacias") are widely available in cities.
Languages Spoken
SpanishQuechua
Quick Facts
Currency
Peruvian Sol (PEN)
S/
S/
Timezone
America/Lima -05:00 (GMT)
Calling Code
+51
Electricity
Driving Side
Right
Population
850,000
Area
21327.83 km²
Government
Regional Government of Ica
ISO Code
PE-11