Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Activities
Sand is an essential ingredient in most Huacachina activities.
Sandboarding
You can rent sandboards for S5 an hour to slide, surf or ski your way down the dunes, get-
ting sand lodged into every bodily orifice. Snowboarding this isn't. There are no tow ropes
or chair-lifts here. Instead you must stagger up the sugary dunes for your 45-second adren-
alin rush. Make sure you are given wax (usually in the form of an old candle) when you
hire your board as they are pretty useless without regular rub-downs. Start on the smaller
slopes and don't be lulled into a false sense of security - several people have seriously in-
jured themselves losing control of their sandboards. Most riders end up boarding belly
down with their legs splayed out behind as emergency brakes. Don't forget to keep your
mouth shut.
Dune Buggies
Many hotels offer thrill-rides in
areneros
(dune buggies) which head out early morning
(8am-ish) and late afternoon (4pm-ish) to avoid the intense sun. They then stop at the top
of the soft slopes, from where you can sandboard down and be picked up at the bottom.
Word on the street is that some drivers take unnecessary risks, so ask around before choos-
ing an operator. Make sure cameras are well protected, as sand can be damaging. The going
rate for tours is S45 but ask first if sandboard rental is included and how long the tour lasts.
Tours do not include a fee of S3.60 that must be paid upon entering the dunes (this doesn't
apply to those entering on foot).
Litter is an issue on Huacachina's dunes, as it is in much of Peru. It ought to go without
saying, but pack out all your rubbish when you visit these beautiful sandy behemoths.
Swimming & Boating
The lagoon's murky waters supposedly have curative properties, though you may find
swimming
in the hotel pools (of which there are half a dozen) more inviting. You can also
hire boats - both rowing and pedal-powered - at a couple of points on the lagoon for S12
an hour.
