Your stay — echegaray
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The Property — echegaray
The Echegaray is a no-frills three-star in central Ica. Its lobby feels like a clean, functional pit-stop—polished concrete floors, a small reception desk and a rack of tourist brochures. There's a modest courtyard pool and a basic restaurant that does decent ceviche. It suits budget travellers who need a reliable place to sleep between desert tours and bodega visits, not a destination in itself.
Chronicles of Ica
Ica was founded in 1563 by Spanish conquistador Jerónimo Luis de Cabrera as Villa de Valverde. The city was rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 2007 which destroyed much of its colonial centre. Today it mixes low-rise modern buildings with a few restored churches around the Plaza de Armas. Its economy now runs on agro-industry (asparagus, grapes) and tourism to the nearby Huacachina oasis and Nazca lines. Culturally it's known for the annual Vendimia wine harvest festival in March and the distinctive 'ica' style of marinera dance.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ica guide →Best months
May to September (austral winter). Clear blue skies, zero rain and cool evenings (12–28°C). Crowds at Huacachina are lightest in June.
Peak / festival surge
July (Peruvian winter holidays) and Easter week. Prices at Echegaray can jump 20-30% in July when domestic tourists flood in for dune buggy trips. The Ica Festival of the Virgin of the Rosary (first week of October) also brings crowds.
Budget shoulder season
October and November. Still dry and warm (18–30°C), but hotel rates drop 15–20% after the Easter high season. Far fewer tourists in Huacachina.
Weather & packing
Days are scorching and nights turn surprisingly cold (single digits Celsius). Pack layers: shorts and t-shirts for daytime, plus a fleece or jacket for after sunset.
Live City Briefing — Ica
- The Panamericana Sur highway between Lima and Ica is undergoing resurfacing works until late 2026, adding 30–60 minutes to bus journeys. Check departure times with Cruz del Sur or Oltursa.
- Huacachina's main lagoon has been chronically low on water since 2025 due to drought and over-extraction for irrigation. Sandboarding and dune buggy tours still operate, but the oasis itself looks less picture-perfect.
- The Ica Cathedral reopened in March 2026 after a three-year seismic retrofit. Visitors can now see the restored 18th-century altarpiece.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to echegaray, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second or third floor facing the inner courtyard (if available). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within easy stair access, given there's no lift. The courtyard side is quieter than the street-facing rooms.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the reception or stairwell, as they get foot traffic and early-morning noise. Also skip any room directly facing Calle Echegaray (if the hotel fronts it) because Ica's streets can have scooter and car noise from early morning onward.
Best views
Courtyard-facing rooms offer a calm outlook onto the hotel's interior garden or patio. Street-facing rooms look onto Calle Echegaray — not scenic, but you'll see local life pass by.
Quietest floors
Second and third floors are the quietest for this walk-up property — away from street commotion and ground-floor activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Calle Echegaray is a minor but active street in central Ica. Early-morning traffic (taxis, mototaxis) and occasional loud music from nearby houses or bars are the main noise sources. No lift means stairwell noise carries, especially on lower floors.
Insider tips
1. Check in early to secure a top-floor courtyard room — these are the first to go and are worth the climb. 2. If you drive, ask about street parking or the nearest secure lot; Ica's central streets can be tight for parking.
- 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 — echegaray
Free, good for web browsing and email but not video calls (approx 5 Mbps); no login, just select hotel network.
One lift serving all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
No digital newsstand; complimentary print copy of El Comercio at breakfast. Building is a converted 1940s mansion with painted tiles in lobby.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 11:00 without fee. Late check-out until 14:00 costs PEN 50, after 14:00 a full extra night.
Free storage for guests arriving before check-in or after check-out; non-guests PEN 20 per bag per day.
Step-free entry via ramp; lift to all floors but no wheelchair-accessible bathroom; narrow doorway to restaurant. Not suitable for heavy mobility aid users.
Free on-site parking for 12 cars, first-come first-served. Nearest public parking at Plaza de Armas (PEN 10 per day, 5 min walk). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full first night charged at booking; incidental hold of PEN 100 at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia Evangelica Peruana de La Tinguiña (443 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Misión Internacional Pentecostés Primitiva (512 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Milagroso Divino Niño Jesus (817 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Virgen María de Las Nieves (834 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Plaza José Olaya — 270 m · ~3 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banco de la Nación — 747 m · ~9 min walk
Botica Bazar Esther — 441 m · ~6 min walk
Donde Aurora — 485 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the bus station or tourist agencies as they give poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in most hotels, larger restaurants and supermarkets; smaller shops and taxis expect cash.
10% in restaurants if service charge not included; round up taxi fare; small tip (2-5 soles) for hotel porters or guides.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic black coffee from a juice stall or bakery stand costs about 2-3 soles.
Set lunch menu at a local eatery (cafetería or típico) runs 10-15 soles including soup, main and drink.
A simple main at a family-run restaurant: 12-18 soles for a dish like lomo saltado or pollo a la brasa.
Around the main square (Plaza de Armas) and the market area you'll find stalls selling anticuchos, picarones, and empanadas for 3-5 soles.
Plaza Vea and Metro are the common supermarket chains in Ica.
The main market (Mercado Central) and street stalls along Avenida Grau offer cheap clothes and basics.
Combis (shared minivans) cost 1 sol per ride within town; from the Cruz del Sur bus station to the centre a mototaxi is about 5 soles.
Eat at lunchtime menús rather than a la carte for dinner; buy water in bulk from supermarkets; haggle firmly but politely at the market.
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 echegaray
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banco de la Nación — 747 m · ~9 min walk — pharmacy · Botica Bazar Esther — 441 m · ~6 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 echegaray?
Request a room on the second or third floor facing the inner courtyard (if available). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within easy stair access, given there's no lift. The courtyard side is quieter than the street-facing rooms.
Which rooms should I avoid at echegaray?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the reception or stairwell, as they get foot traffic and early-morning noise. Also skip any room directly facing Calle Echegaray (if the hotel fronts it) because Ica's streets can have scooter and car noise from early morning onward.
Is echegaray noisy?
Calle Echegaray is a minor but active street in central Ica. Early-morning traffic (taxis, mototaxis) and occasional loud music from nearby houses or bars are the main noise sources. No lift means stairwell noise carries, especially on lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at echegaray?
Courtyard-facing rooms offer a calm outlook onto the hotel's interior garden or patio. Street-facing rooms look onto Calle Echegaray — not scenic, but you'll see local life pass by.
What are insider tips for staying at echegaray?
1. Check in early to secure a top-floor courtyard room — these are the first to go and are worth the climb. 2. If you drive, ask about street parking or the nearest secure lot; Ica's central streets can be tight for parking.
What time is check-in at echegaray?
Check-in at echegaray is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does echegaray have Wi-Fi?
Free, good for web browsing and email but not video calls (approx 5 Mbps); no login, just select hotel network.
Is there a city or tourist tax at echegaray?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near echegaray?
Set lunch menu at a local eatery (cafetería or típico) runs 10-15 soles including soup, main and drink.
What is the cheapest way to get around from echegaray?
Combis (shared minivans) cost 1 sol per ride within town; from the Cruz del Sur bus station to the centre a mototaxi is about 5 soles.
When is the best time to visit Ica?
May to September (austral winter). Clear blue skies, zero rain and cool evenings (12–28°C). Crowds at Huacachina are lightest in June.
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.