Best things to do in Ica Province

Ica Desert & Oasis Essentials

Ica’s landscape is defined by the Huacachina Oasis, a natural lagoon surrounded by some of the highest sand dunes in South America. The region features the Cañon de los Perdidos, a deep geological formation in the Ocucaje desert, and the coastal cliffs of Punta Lomitas. Cultural sites include the Regional Museum, which houses Paracas and Nazca textiles, and the village of Cachiche, known for its folk-healing traditions. The city's 18th-century Cathedral of San Jeronimo showcases Neoclassical architecture despite damage sustained during the 2007 earthquake.

Ica Desert & Oasis Essentials — Map

A

Oasis Huacachina

A natural desert lagoon surrounded by palm trees and massive sand dunes. It is a center for sandboarding and dune buggy excursions.

Namiac / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Regional Museum of Ica "Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins"

The Regional Museum of Ica "Adolfo Bermudez Jenkins" is an archeological museum in Ica, Peru.

C

Cañon de los Perdidos

A 600-meter-deep canyon in the Ocucaje desert featuring distinct geological layers, fossilized marine remains, and rock sculptures formed by wind and water erosion.

D

La bruja de Cachiche

A village historically associated with folk magic and healers. The site includes a bronze monument dedicated to a local witch and the nearby Seven-Headed Palm Tree.

E

Catedral de San Jeronimo

An 18th-century church originally built by the Jesuits. It features a Neoclassical facade and a Baroque interior, though it was heavily damaged in the 2007 earthquake.

F

Duna

A prominent sand dune providing an elevated viewpoint over the Huacachina Oasis and the surrounding desert landscape.

G

Cape Lomitas

A coastal point featuring dramatic rock arches, desert cliffs, and secluded beaches. The area serves as a habitat for sea lions and various marine birds.