It’s not every day that you can go from spotting penguins and sea lions off a rugged Pacific coastline to ending the day sliding down huge mountains of sand in a desert. But that’s exactly what happens in this guided tour for sandboarding in Huacachina, Peru! From the moment the adventure begins, it’s an unforgettable journey that is action-packed and adventurous!
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It’s a Crazy Day!
This tour leaves at 6:00 a.m. from Lima, Peru. Yes, that’s EARLY. Depending on your hotel or pick-up point, you will need to be up even earlier. However, the convenient part is that you don’t have to do any planning or navigating to go sandboarding in Huacachina. You get to chill on a comfy, air-conditioned bus and let someone else worry about the details.
First Stop: Paracas
It’s about a 4-hour bus ride to Paracas, which is the first stop on the itinerary. From here, you will board a boat for the first part of your adventure. From the water, you will be able to take in the rocky coastline, where you can expect to see sea lions and penguins. Afterwards, there will be just a bit of time to meander through some of the small shops in Paracas.
Huacachina
After Paracas, the bus ride continues for another 1.5 hours to go to Huacachina, a touristy desert oasis. Here, you’ll find a small village that is surrounded by massive sand dunes and palm trees. It’s filled with restaurants, shops, and vendors. It’s adorable, a little bizarre, and a great starting point for sandboarding in Huacachina.
Dune Buggy Ride
After exploring the shops, it’s time to climb into a dune buggy for perhaps the most adrenaline-fueled part of the day. This is not for the weak of heart. This is an exhilarating, heart-pumping ride that is far scarier than some of the craziest roller coasters we’ve been on! These buggies race up the massive sand dunes, making quick turns and stomach-plunging drops over and over again.
The Main Event
Next comes the main event, sandboarding in Huacachina! Imagine standing on top of towering, golden sand dunes and what seems to be a never-ending, vast desert spread out before you. The adrenaline starts pumping. This is it. This is what you are here for. You climb onto your board and down you go, the wind whipping through your hair, the feeling of exhilaration sweeping through your body (and maybe a little fear too)!
If you’re a newbie, don’t worry too much. You can start out simpler by lying on your stomach or even just sitting on the board. If you have great balance or are more experienced with sandboarding, then you can stand up like a snowboarder. Either way, it’s great fun and slightly intimidating given the size of the sand dunes.
What to Bring
We recommend bringing the following items with you:
- Sunglasses or goggles
- A bandana or buff to cover your mouth and nose
- Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes
- Sunscreen
- Water & maybe some snacks
Cost
The sandboarding equipment is included in your tour price. As of March 2026, there was a $59 special for this full-day guided tour. We think that’s an awesome price for everything that you get.
Traveling to Huacachina Independently
This full-day trip is quite long and tiring. You won’t get back to Lima until around midnight. So if that’s just too much packed into a day, or if maybe you just want to take your time, you also have the option to travel to Huacachina independently and stay a night or two. There are inexpensive buses ($10-$15 USD) that run one way from Lima to Ica. This takes four to five hours. From Ica, it’s a short 10-15 minute taxi ride to Huacachina.
Booking Tours Locally
Once you arrive in Huacachina, there are LOTS of vendors selling tours to sandboard, paraglide, take dune buggy rides, and more! There are so many vendors that it allows you to negotiate, but typical prices for sandboarding + buggy combos run around $25–$40 USD. Most tours include the board, dune buggy, and a guide; helmets are usually provided.
Renting Sandboards
Some operators also rent boards separately, so if you just want to sandboard on your own, it’s possible to do multiple runs down the dunes without booking a full buggy tour. Keep in mind: standing up and riding on big dunes is easier with guidance at first. Solo riders should stick to smaller or medium-sized dunes initially.
Other Unique Sandboarding Adventures
Can’t get enough of this type of experience? Here are some other great places for sandboarding:
- Cerro Negro in León, Nicaragua: One of the only places in the world to sandboard down an active volcano!
- Tottori Sand Dunes, Japan: Sandboard on massive dunes right next to the Sea of Japan. Sandboard and swim in the ocean on the same day!
If you’re looking for an adventure that feels completely different from the typical sightseeing tour, sandboarding in Huacachina delivers. With towering dunes, high-speed buggy rides, and the thrill of sliding down mountains of sand, it’s the kind of experience that turns an ordinary travel day into something unforgettable.
