Huacachina Sunset Sandboard & Buggy Tour Review: Is It Worth It?

Alright, so you’re thinking about hitting up Huacachina for that sunset sandboarding and buggy tour, are you? Good choice. It’s something of a classic Peruvian adventure. But, like, is it *actually* worth the hype? That’s what everyone wants to know, and honestly, it totally depends what you are after. I went, I saw, and well, I surfed the dunes (sort of), so here’s my no-holds-barred rundown of this experience.

What to Expect From the Buggy Ride

Ok, first things first: the buggy ride is almost like a rollercoaster, yet on sand. Picture yourself crammed into a dune buggy with, like, a bunch of other excited (or maybe slightly terrified) tourists. Then, you’re driven straight up some crazy steep dunes, before the driver suddenly floors it. It’s very much a wild ride filled with screams, laughter, and just maybe a little bit of sand in places you didn’t even know you *could* get sand.

The drivers, anyway they are are quite the characters. Some are just all business, efficiently getting you from dune to dune. Then others? Total showmen. They might do tricks, tell stories, or generally amp up the energy. Basically you can cross your fingers that you get one of the showmen, is that right? But the ride? Well that’s the real experience.

The climbs, oh man, they feel nearly vertical, it’s true. For that, you pause at the crest of each dune for pictures, so of course you have a moment to appreciate how far up you are. And believe me, when you look down? Your stomach kind of does a little flip, I have to tell you. That first drop can feel pretty intense, even though you’re strapped in safe and sound, isn’t it?

This part is obviously a highlight for loads of people. In a way the sheer adrenaline rush is just an experience, more or less, it’s almost a rite of passage for visitors in Huacachina. In my mind, this is all more about the thrill of the ride rather than admiring some the scenery itself. In the end, the desert vistas, in my experience, all kind of blend into a sea of sand once the buggy starts flying all over the place.

Sandboarding: Glamorous or Gritty?

Alright, let’s talk sandboarding. Maybe your expectation is to shred some dunes like a pro snowboarder. Then the reality, usually, can be rather a bit different, that’s right. You get a board (they’re often rather well-used, to be honest), get a bit of wax, and head to the top of the dune.

Now, standing up, so it seems that it is difficult for loads of people. The boards, so it sounds, aren’t the greatest and the sand? It doesn’t exactly have the same glide that snow does. Plenty of people just end up sitting or lying down and sliding, and you know what? Actually that’s part of the fun! You pick up some decent speed. It’s basically about embracing the chaos, just enjoying the feel of the sand whipping past you. That is, so it sounds like the majority, until you figure out that sand gets everywhere.

Seriously, everywhere. You will find it days later. I promise you. Basically you can consider wearing clothes you don’t mind getting trashed and seal all electronics if at all possible. Also, so it is often the case, the goggles really come in handy if you actually want to see where you’re sliding. Actually you can rent some for a few bucks at the tour, so keep an eye out for them!

If you really, actually, want to learn proper sandboarding? A quick tip, that it may not be the best setup for you. These tours are designed for the masses. What they do, actually is give everyone a taste, very rarely is it the same as any sort of in-depth instruction. If you’re serious, what happens is you can look into private lessons. That can happen in Huacachina, more or less, but they do take extra effort to find.

Sunset Views: Worth the Sand in Your Teeth?

Now here’s where the tour gets worth the effort. Catching the sunset from the top of the dunes in Huacachina? Very spectacular, so it is one thing you should remember. As the sun dips below the horizon, the sand almost glows with the color of the fiery light. Very unreal.

Everyone kind of gets quiet then for a minute, in their own way. I can say what it really does is just absorbs that beauty. It’s that quiet moment for you, anyway it comes after the buggy ride and sandboarding when you realize it’s been worth being shaken around and covered in sand.

But, anyway don’t get me wrong, there will be others also taking the photos and enjoying the moment too. It’s still lovely. Very communal.

Pro tip: In this case, when the sun’s down it can get very chilly quickly, honestly. If you have some sort of extra layer, bring it along with you. That’s just the way to fully enjoy this special moment without shivering. Then again this is especially true if you visit in the cooler months. It tends to get colder later in the day. Alright I feel you now. Moving on.

Is the Tour Safe? Things to Keep in Mind

Safety can be just a bit of a mixed bag, but there are also a few things that you can know before going. The buggies, so it appears, usually don’t have seatbelts in perfect condition. Actually I can tell you it is something to check as you get into the buggy. Also hold on tight to something no matter what, when I mean hold on tight I do mean tight. All parts of your body should stay in the buggy when on the dunes.

Listen up, what often happens is drivers go very fast and do crazy maneuvers. I have seen some close calls for sure. You may be inclined to tell the driver to take it easy if at any point you feel insecure, so you can feel free to do that. Do what is necessary so you are relaxed, okay?

The tour operators, basically they should give basic safety instructions before you go, even though it is not guaranteed they all do. Usually they will tell you how to position yourself on the sandboard. They often tell people to lie on your belly for your first runs down the dune, that could be the safest way.

Another aspect to think about, so you should keep this in mind, is altitude sickness. Huacachina, it is that it’s not super high. However the jump from sea level might affect some individuals. Very true, this is one thing that some first timers may over look. Basically, what happens, when you take it easy for your first day in Peru. Always make sure to stay well-hydrated, and you could listen to your body.

Making the Most of Your Huacachina Trip

Beyond the tour, basically there’s very little else to do in Huacachina itself. Huacachina is just a tiny oasis, as a matter of fact, it’s focused primarily on the dune experience.

What you can do: Relax by the lagoon. What happens if you hang out around the lagoon, so what happens you could try one of the restaurants or bars there. You can rent a paddleboat. Do a little people-watching. Don’t forget to bring a decent camera for great opportunities to make lifetime photos.

If you feel very adventurous, there are places available to rent quad bikes. When that’s the case you could venture out into the desert yourself. Quad biking on the dunes, very cool if you do it with some respect. However there are accidents also. You should keep that in mind if that idea feels interesting. Basically stay within the safe areas when quad biking alone. Or take somebody you trust and who have driven around dunes beforehand, alright.

Ica, anyway is just a short taxi ride away, so it means it’s definitely worth exploring. Ica is way more like an average city, there are also more to discover, it is also very busy. Very often you can check out the local markets, vineyards, and the regional museum.

Where should you stay when overnighting in Huacachina? Well, just that what it seems is very much based on a person. The accommodations could range. Then there’s everything from budget hostels, alright, so here’s a decent one: Desert Nights, if that suits. What I tend to do is usually pay for one of the nicer hotels like Hotel Mossone if that makes more sense, of course. In a way you have choices there for almost all wallets. At the end of the day is all about preferences.

Final Verdict: Is Huacachina’s Sandboarding and Buggy Tour Worth It?

Okay, I have talked about a few parts of sand, dunes and heights so it feels good for a closing summary. Do I think that this tour is worth the hype?

The verdict? Maybe if that tour, for some, sounds like an unforgettable Peruvian experience, maybe a memory for a life.

Ultimately, as a matter of fact, it all comes down to your outlook and your sense of fun. All right, so if you approach it as this wild adventure and you’re prepared to embrace all the sand that is found in, well I say *all* places, you could almost have a fantastic time. However when you’re searching for, honestly a refined or quiet experience, you should then give it a skip.

• Expect: A wild rollercoaster-like buggy ride with the risk to have sand in unwanted body parts.
• Consider: Safety. Be ready for anything and do not get surprised to have the buggy driving skills as your best attribute.
• Enjoy: The sunsets are simply majestic so just breathe and keep that into the deepest corners of your mind and memory.

Okay this is what to keep into the highest value when coming for sand, buggy and Huacachina adventures.

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