🇵🇪 Ica, Peru
Don Agucho
📍 100, Avenida San Carlos, Ica
Your stay — Don Agucho
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The Property — Don Agucho
Don Agucho is a straightforward, no-fuss 3-star hotel on Ica’s main square, with a small pool, a rooftop terrace and rooms that are clean but dated. Its USP is location — steps from the cathedral, the regional museum and the plaza's restaurants — and a pleasant courtyard where guests eat breakfast under a thatched roof. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want to be in the centre and don't mind peeling wall paint or a lukewarm shower.
Chronicles of Ica
Ica was founded in 1563 by Spanish conquistador Gerónimo Luis de Cabrera as Villa de Valverde, later moving to its current site after earthquake damage. The city grew rich on wine and pisco production in the 17th and 18th centuries, with many old haciendas and churches still standing. A massive earthquake in 2007 destroyed much of the historic centre, and reconstruction has been slow, giving parts of town a patchy, raw feel. Today Ica is the capital of the Ica Region, a gateway to the Huacachina oasis and Nazca Lines, and remains Peru’s pisco heartland.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ica guide →Best months
April, May and October — clear skies, minimal wind, temperatures around 22–28°C, and low tourist numbers.
Peak / festival surge
January (main summer holidays) and late July (Fiestas Patrias, 28–29 July). Hotels can double in price; Don Agucho often sells out by mid-June.
Budget shoulder season
March and November offer mild weather (25–30°C) with 20–30% lower room rates and thinner crowds.
Weather & packing
Ica is a desert city — sunny year-round but mornings can be foggy (the garúa) from June to August. Pack a light fleece for early excursions and always carry suncream and a refillable water bottle.
Live City Briefing — Ica
- The main square was repaved in late 2025, which improved pedestrian access but caused some restaurant closures during construction — all now reopened.
- Bus companies including Cruz del Sur and Oltursa now run direct services from Lima to Ica with departures every 30 minutes; journey time is about 4.5 hours.
- The Huacachina oasis has imposed a small entrance fee (10 soles) for non-residents as of January 2026 to fund litter collection.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Don Agucho, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the inner courtyard (away from Avenida San Carlos). These floors are above ground-level noise but still within reach if the lift is out of service — Ica's 3-star hotels often have unreliable lifts. The courtyard side cuts the street-traffic hum from the avenue.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing Avenida San Carlos. The avenue carries local traffic and occasional mototaxis, and ground level picks up both street noise and foot traffic from reception. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor: older lifts can be clunky and audible in thin-walled rooms.
Best views
Upper-floor rooms on the north or west side of the building (inland, away from the avenue) may offer a partial view of the dry hills or Ica's low skyline. But be realistic: you're on a busy avenue in a city centre. The best view is a quiet courtyard or a side street — don't expect panoramas.
Quietest floors
Third and fourth floors. High enough to avoid street-level clatter and footfall from the lobby, but not so high that you're reliant on a potentially dodgy lift. Most 3-star buildings here have four to five floors, so the middle-upper range works best.
🔊 Noise notes
Avenida San Carlos is a main road through Ica, carrying local traffic, buses, and mototaxis especially from early morning (6am) until late evening (9-10pm). The hotel's 3-star rating suggests budget construction with basic soundproofing. Service noise (cleaning carts, breakfast prep) can start by 7am from corridors.
Insider tips
1. Park on the street if the hotel's lot is full — Avenida San Carlos has free on-street parking, but check for overnight security. 2. Request a room on the 'back' side during booking — this isn't a standard request but at a 3-star property, a phone call a day before arrival often works. 3. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper; the thin walls and street noise are part of the budget experience.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Don Agucho
Free Wi‑Fi throughout. Speed is ~15 Mbps download; login via room number and surname shown at check-in. Works on ground floor but patchy on first floor
No lift. Two-storey building with exterior stairs only; no historic sections, just a typical colonial-style house conversion
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. Common TV in lobby tuned to national news
Standard check-in 14:00–23:00 (weekday) or 15:00–22:00 (weekend). Early bag drop from 07:00 is free. Late check-out until 13:00 costs PEN 45, subject to availability
Free storage in a locked room behind reception; available 07:00–22:00
No step‑free access. Two steps at main entrance, narrow interior doors, no adapted rooms. Wheelchair users will struggle
Small on‑site parking (8 spots) free but first‑come, first‑served. Nearest public car park 'Estacionamiento San Carlos' 400 m away costs PEN 10 per night. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Ica does not have a city tax; no resort fee)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged as deposit at booking; at check-in, a USD 50 incidental hold on a credit/debit card is taken
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Venerada Virgen de Guadalupe (432 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Matriz de Nasca (445 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Parroquia Santiago Apostol de Nasca (490 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días (825 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Plaza Bolognesi — 242 m · ~3 min walk
Museo Didactico Antonini — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 99 m · ~1 min walk
Mini Market Elisa — 761 m · ~10 min walk
Colectivos a Chala — 683 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs in central Ica or banks like BBVA/BCP for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or tourist offices in Huacachina, which often give poor rates.
Credit and debit cards are accepted in larger supermarkets, hotels, and mid-range restaurants in Ica; street food, small shops, and transport usually require cash.
Restaurants: 10% tip only if service is good and no service charge added. Taxis: no tip. Hotel staff: 5-10 soles per bag for porters, small change for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A simple black coffee from a local bakery or corner stall costs around 3-5 soles.
A menú (set lunch with soup, main, and drink) at a local eatery costs 12-18 soles.
An affordable dinner main, like a pollo a la brasa quarter chicken with fries, costs 15-25 soles.
Try anticuchos (grilled hearts) and empanadas from street carts near Plaza de Armas or the market area in central Ica for 5-10 soles each.
Plaza Vea and Metro are common budget supermarket chains in the Ica area, found near the main plaza or on Avenida Grau.
For affordable clothes, head to the market stalls around the Ica central market (Mercado Modelo) for basic items and local brands.
The cheapest way around is by colectivo (shared taxi) or bus within Ica city for 1-2 soles per ride. From Lima's airport to Ica, take a Cruz del Sur or Oltursa bus from Javier Prado terminal (50-80 soles one way), not a direct taxi.
1. Eat at menú places for lunch rather than dinner. 2. Use local buses or colectivos instead of tourist taxis. 3. Carry small bills and coins for street food and transport to avoid overpaying with change.
Good to know — Ica
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.4 · PEN
Emergency Contacts
IcaFor general assistance in Ica, call the tourism police at (056) 222-831. The local hospital is Hospital Regional de Ica, Av. Abelardo Quiñones s/n, phone (056) 231-145.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Ica, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Don Agucho
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 99 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) → Ica bus terminal
💡 Book the 'VIP' seat for extra legroom. The bus drops you at Ica terminal, then take a colectivo (10 soles) to Hotel Hacienda Cantayo.
Ica bus terminal → Hotel Hacienda Cantayo Spa & Resort
💡 Bolt is cheaper than Uber in Ica—typically 18–22 soles. Catch one from the terminal exit, not the main road where drivers overcharge. Cash works best.
Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) → Hotel Hacienda Cantayo Spa & Resort, Ica
💡 Agencies at arrivals quote 300–350 soles. Haggle hard and confirm the price includes tolls and waiting time. Official green taxis are safer than unmarked cars.
Ica city centre (Av. Grau) → Hotel Hacienda Cantayo Spa & Resort
💡 Colectivos run along Av. Grau towards Huacachina. Hail one with 'Cantayo' written on the windscreen. They fill fast—expect to stand if it's busy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Don Agucho?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the inner courtyard (away from Avenida San Carlos). These floors are above ground-level noise but still within reach if the lift is out of service — Ica's 3-star hotels often have unreliable lifts. The courtyard side cuts the street-traffic hum from the avenue.
Which rooms should I avoid at Don Agucho?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing Avenida San Carlos. The avenue carries local traffic and occasional mototaxis, and ground level picks up both street noise and foot traffic from reception. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor: older lifts can be clunky and audible in thin-walled rooms.
Is Don Agucho noisy?
Avenida San Carlos is a main road through Ica, carrying local traffic, buses, and mototaxis especially from early morning (6am) until late evening (9-10pm). The hotel's 3-star rating suggests budget construction with basic soundproofing. Service noise (cleaning carts, breakfast prep) can start by 7am from corridors.
Which rooms have the best views at Don Agucho?
Upper-floor rooms on the north or west side of the building (inland, away from the avenue) may offer a partial view of the dry hills or Ica's low skyline. But be realistic: you're on a busy avenue in a city centre. The best view is a quiet courtyard or a side street — don't expect panoramas.
What are insider tips for staying at Don Agucho?
1. Park on the street if the hotel's lot is full — Avenida San Carlos has free on-street parking, but check for overnight security. 2. Request a room on the 'back' side during booking — this isn't a standard request but at a 3-star property, a phone call a day before arrival often works. 3. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper; the thin walls and street noise are part of the budget experience.
What time is check-in at Don Agucho?
Check-in at Don Agucho is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Don Agucho have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi‑Fi throughout. Speed is ~15 Mbps download; login via room number and surname shown at check-in. Works on ground floor but patchy on first floor
Is there a city or tourist tax at Don Agucho?
None (Ica does not have a city tax; no resort fee)
Where can I eat cheaply near Don Agucho?
A menú (set lunch with soup, main, and drink) at a local eatery costs 12-18 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Don Agucho?
The cheapest way around is by colectivo (shared taxi) or bus within Ica city for 1-2 soles per ride. From Lima's airport to Ica, take a Cruz del Sur or Oltursa bus from Javier Prado terminal (50-80 soles one way), not a direct taxi.
When is the best time to visit Ica?
April, May and October — clear skies, minimal wind, temperatures around 22–28°C, and low tourist numbers.
Top Attractions in Ica
💡 Grab a ceviche from one of the stalls on the side streets for about 10 soles. Avoid the overpriced churros from touts near the cathedral. Best visited late afternoon when the heat drops and people start gathering.
💡 Bring swimwear if you want to paddle; the water is murky but locals swim. Avoid the boat rental—overpriced and the pond is tiny. Best at dawn when the tour groups haven't arrived yet.
💡 Skip the overpriced cafes near the car park. Walk around to the far side for quieter spots and better photo angles. Go early in the morning or just before sunset for cooler sand and fewer people.
💡 Entrance costs about 8 soles (roughly £1.60). Bring a phrasebook or a translation app as there are no English labels. Allow 45 minutes to an hour; it's not huge. Closed on Mondays.
💡 The basic tour costs 15 soles and includes three samples. Go for the 'Premium' tour (25 soles) if you want to taste their older piscos—it's worth it, but book ahead. They sell good-value bottles at the shop, much cheaper than in restaurants.