Where to Stay in Huacachina With Kids (3 Easy Picks)
Updated November 2025 • We spent time here in October these are the family-friendly hotels and guesthouses we’d recommend or rebook ourselves, based on safety, pool access, and actual parent reviews (not just Instagram views).
We’re a family of four who love adventure but also sleep. Huacachina, the tiny desert oasis just outside Ica, was one of those places that tested both. It’s small, surreal, and a little chaotic after sunset. But if you pick the right place to stay, it can be incredible: warm desert air, dunes glowing gold at sunset, and pool days that feel like a break from nonstop travel.
Our rhythm here looked like slow mornings by the pool, a late-afternoon dune buggy ride, early dinner, and the kids asleep by 9 while the bar crowd kicked in down the road. The trick? Stay just far enough from the main lagoon to skip the late-night noise but close enough to walk to everything.
Here are the three family stays we’d actually choose, one budget, one balanced, and one total sanity saver.
For a quick guide, here’s a rundown of the best family hotels in Huacachina
➡️ Best Overall Family Hotel in Huacachina: Book El Huacachinero Hotel
➡️ Best Hotel With a Pool in Huacachina: Book Banana’s Adventure Hostel (Family Room)
➡️ Best Value Hotel Under $60: Book Desert Nights Eco Camp
Huacachina at a Glance (for families)
Huacachina is tiny, you can walk the entire oasis in under 10 minutes. Everything revolves around the lagoon and the surrounding dunes. It’s lively, touristy, and can get loud, but also incredibly fun for kids once you find the right balance of adventure and calm.
Centro Lagoon (Main Area)
Closest to restaurants, sandboarding rentals, and tour pickups. Convenient but noisy at night due to backpacker bars.
Outer Edge of the Oasis
Just a few minutes’ walk uphill from the lagoon. Quieter stays, bigger rooms, still easy to reach cafés and tours.
Ica Town (5–10 mins by taxi)
If you prefer true quiet, Ica has family hotels with pools and air-conditioning. A good option for families with younger kids or early sleepers.
The 3 Easy Picks (we’d book one of these, no endless lists)
1) Budget-Friendly Charm: Banana’s Adventure Hostel (Family Room)
Why we picked it:
Banana’s is the oasis’ classic pick for backpackers and families, and for good reason. It’s fun, clean, and has the best pool scene in town. Family rooms are tucked away from the bar, and the staff go out of their way to organize safe dune buggy rides and sandboarding for kids.
The onsite restaurant does fresh smoothies, tacos, and breakfasts that kids actually eat.
Good to know:
Can get loud near the pool during peak hours (3–6 p.m.). Ask for a courtyard-facing room.
Breakfast and one activity (sandboarding or buggy ride) are often included.
💰 Prices: from S/250–300 per night (£50–60) for family rooms.
📍 Address: Av. Ángela de Perotti, Huacachina, Ica 11000.
2) Mid-Range Balance: Hotel El Huacachinero (Outer Lagoon Edge)
Why we picked it:
A classic oasis hotel, palm trees, big pool, family rooms, and friendly staff. It’s slightly removed from the party zone but still an easy walk to restaurants. The pool has a shallow section for kids, and dune tours can be booked directly at reception.
Rooms are spacious and air-conditioned (a huge plus in the desert). The restaurant does Peruvian and international food, and breakfast is included.
Good to know:
Noisy on weekends from nearby tour groups, but quiet midweek. Bring earplugs just in case.
💰 Prices: around S/350–450 per night (£70–90) for family rooms with breakfast.
📍 Address: Av. Angela de Perotti S/N, Huacachina, Ica 11000.
3) Splurge Sanity Saver: Desert Nights Eco Camp (Just Outside the Oasis)
Why we picked it:
For families who want the Huacachina experience without the late-night music, this is the spot. Desert Nights is set slightly outside the main lagoon area, surrounded by dunes. You get glamping-style comfort: tents with real beds, private bathrooms, and shaded hammocks for sunset views.
Kids will love the open sand space, and parents can actually sleep. Meals are served onsite, with vegetarian options and fresh juice for breakfast.
Good to know:
Wi-Fi can be patchy (you’re literally in the desert). Bring cash for taxis (S/7–10 to town).
💰 Prices: around S/600–800 per night (£120–160).
📍 Address: 1 km south of Huacachina Oasis, Ica.
How We Choose (quickly, like parents do)
✅ Walkability: food or dunes within 10 minutes
✅ Sleep factor: quiet rooms or soundproofing
✅ Cool-down: pools or shaded gardens
✅ Food: breakfast included or easy nearby cafés
✅ Reviews: consistent family mentions, not just party-goers
Safety & Practical Stuff for Families
Heat: Days reach 30–35°C (85–95°F). Plan activities early or late.
Noise: Oasis core gets loud, stay on outer edges for sleep.
Water: Don’t drink tap water; use filtered or bottled.
Dune buggies: Age limits vary; most tours accept kids 6+. Ask for slower rides.
Sun protection: Wide-brim hats, long sleeves, and high SPF, the desert burns fast.
Sandboarding: Safer to do seated (sled-style) for younger kids.
Getting Around & When to Book
Getting there: 4–5 hours from Lima by Cruz del Sur bus, or 10 mins by taxi from Ica bus terminal.
Getting around: Walk or tuk-tuk (S/5–7). You don’t need a car.
When to book: Weekends sell out fast. Book midweek for peace and lower prices.
How long to stay: 1–2 nights is enough to enjoy the dunes, pool, and a sunset tour before moving on to Paracas or Nazca.
Family Logistics
Centro Lagoon (Main Area)
Steps from sandboard rentals and cafés.
Noisy after 10 p.m., bring earplugs.
Great for older kids or teens.
Outer Edge (Near El Huacachinero)
Quieter, shaded hotels with pools.
Short walk to lagoon.
Ideal for families who need early nights.
Ica Town
More peaceful, supermarkets and pharmacies nearby.
10-min taxi ride to the oasis.
➡️ Book Your Stay at Hotel El Huacachinero Here
FAQ (for parents, by parents)
Is Huacachina safe with kids?
Yes, during the day. Evenings get lively, so stay on the quieter side of the lagoon or just outside the oasis.
Which area is best with younger kids?
The outer edge of Huacachina — near El Huacachinero, offers pools, space, and fewer bars.
How many days in Huacachina with kids?
1–2 nights is perfect. You’ll have time for a buggy ride, sandboarding, and a lazy pool day.
Can kids do dune buggy rides?
Yes, most tours allow children 6+. Always confirm speed and duration first.
Is Huacachina stroller-friendly?
Not really, sand everywhere. Bring a carrier or let them go barefoot and run wild.
Wrap-Up
Huacachina is one of those surreal, can’t-believe-it’s-real stops that kids will remember long after the trip. With the right stay, whether a budget bungalow, mid-range pool hotel, or quiet desert camp, it can be both exciting and restful. Bring hats, patience, and your sense of humor, and you’ll love this little oasis as much as we did.
