🇵🇪 Ica, Peru
El Huerto Hostel
📍 Bolivar 634, Ica, 11000
Your stay — El Huerto Hostel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Ica.
The Property — El Huerto Hostel
El Huerto Hostel is a social, garden-centric backpacker spot just off Ica's main square. Its USP is the large courtyard with hammocks and a pool, plus home-cooked Peruvian meals served family-style. Standing in the lobby you'll hear reggaeton from the bar and English, Spanish and French drifting from the common room. It suits budget travellers who want to meet people: think solo backpackers, cycling groups, and friends on a sandboarding detour from Huacachina.
Chronicles of Ica
Ica was founded in 1563 by Spanish conquistador Gerónimo Luis de Cabrera as Villa de Valverde, though the valley had been inhabited by the Paracas and Nazca cultures for centuries. The city grew wealthy on wine and pisco production, winning it the nickname 'Ciudad del Eterno Sol' for its dry climate. A devastating earthquake in 2007 levelled much of the colonial centre, prompting a rebuild that mixed modern concrete with restored churches like the Iglesia de San Francisco. Today Ica is a relaxed, provincial hub whose identity is heavily tied to its vineyards, bodegas and the nearby oasis of Huacachina. Contemporary culture revolves around pisco tastings, sandboarding and the annual Vendimia harvest festival.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ica guide →Best months
May, September and October offer clear skies, 27-30°C days and dramatically fewer tourists than July or August. You can explore the dunes and wineries without crowding.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak season — school holidays across Peru and southern-hemisphere winter draw families and backpackers to Huacachina. Hotel prices in Ica rise 20-40% and the dunes get busy with buggies. The biggest event is the Vendimia Festival (first week of March) but it's not as congested as coastal summer.
Budget shoulder season
April and November are the best budget shoulder months. Weather remains fine (26-29°C), rain is rare, and you'll find discounted rooms and emptier bodegas.
Weather & packing
Ica is in a hyper-arid desert: it almost never rains, but winter (June-August) can bring cool, overcast mornings dropping to 12°C. Pack a light fleece or jumper for early excursions and a reusable water bottle — dehydration is the only real risk.
Live City Briefing — Ica
- The main Avenida Grau is partially closed until August 2026 for sewer upgrades, causing traffic snarls between the city centre and the oasis — allow 15 extra minutes for taxi transfers to Huacachina.
- New sandboarding tours launched in April 2026 at Cerro Blanco, a 200m dune south of town, with guided sunset runs that avoid the midday heat.
- The annual Ica Pisco Fair runs 3–5 July 2026 on the Plaza de Armas; expect free tastings, folk music and extended bodega hours — book dinner tables early.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to El Huerto Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (2nd or 3rd) at the back side of the building, away from Bolivar. These are quieter, with less street noise and better airflow. If available, an end-of-corridor room on the south side also reduces noise from common areas.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms facing Bolivar street on the ground or 1st floor—traffic and pedestrian noise from the main road will be intrusive. Also skip rooms near stairs or the reception area (often just off the entrance hall) due to foot traffic.
Best views
Limited—Bolivar is a busy street, so a room at the back overlooks an interior courtyard or neighbouring buildings, offering privacy but no scenic vista. For a glimpse of city life, a front room on the 2nd floor gives a view down the street, but expect noise.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are typically quieter, especially if set back from the street. The hostel has no lift, so upper floors also deter casual footfall.
🔊 Noise notes
Main source: constant traffic on Bolivar (a main road in Ica centre) from early morning until late. Guests arriving/leaving via the entrance hall can also cause intermittent noise, especially in the evening.
Insider tips
Request a room at check-in explicitly asking for 'back side, upper floor'—staff can often assign it if available. There is no dedicated car park; street parking on Bolivar is free but limited—arrive early to find a spot, or use the nearby public lot on Calle Lima.
- 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 — El Huerto Hostel
Free for all guests, communal password at check-in, sufficient for browsing and messaging (unreliable for video streaming)
No lift; single-storey building with ground floor only, no stairs required
None (no newspapers or digital newsstand provided)
Check-in from 13:00, check-out by 11:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 14:00 for USD 5, subject to availability
Free at reception, ground floor, 24/7 on day of check-in/out
Step-free entrance from street level; all areas on single level, but bathroom doorways are narrow (approx 60 cm) and not wheelchair accessible
No on-site parking; free street parking on Bolivar after 18:00 and on weekends; nearest public car park at Estacionamiento Portal de Ica (three blocks away) costs PEN 5 per hour or PEN 25 overnight; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no municipal tourist tax in Ica)
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required; a USD 10 cash or card hold at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia Comunidad Cristiana El Shaddai (568 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia San Francisco (980 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: Nuestra Señora de la Medalla Milagrosa (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
- Church: Catedral de San Jerónimo (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centro Comercial Ica Shopping Plaza — 777 m · ~10 min walk
Miguel Grau — 416 m · ~5 min walk
Museo Regional de Ica Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins — 256 m · ~3 min walk
Auditorio San Luis Gonzaga — 803 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banco de la Nación — 605 m · ~8 min walk
Inkafarma — 574 m · ~7 min walk
Claro Recarga — 256 m · ~3 min walk
Oltursa — 140 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use local exchange houses (casas de cambio) or bank ATMs; airport rates are poor and tourist bureaux mark up.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in larger shops and restaurants; Amex less common; contactless available in modern places, but street stalls and small bodegas are cash-only.
Restaurants: 10% if service is good, otherwise leave change; taxis: not expected but round up; hotel staff: 5-10 Soles for porter/cleaning.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic café con leche from a local bakery or market stall: ~3-5 Soles.
Menu del día (set lunch) at a small eatery: soup, main, drink ~12-18 Soles.
Main course at a casual local restaurant: ~14-25 Soles.
Around the market area and main plaza you'll find anticuchos (grilled skewers), empanadas, and churros for 2-5 Soles each.
Plaza Vea and Metro are the main budget supermarket chains here.
Mercado artesanal or central market for cheap local textiles; Polvos Rosados for general clothing.
Local combis (shared vans/minibuses) cost 1-2 Soles per ride; from the airport take the bus into Ica centre (~8 Soles), not a taxi.
Eat at market stalls and menus del día; skip bottled water for tap (bring a filter); buy Pisco directly from a local bodega near Ica, not a tourist shop.
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 El Huerto Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banco de la Nación — 605 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Inkafarma — 574 m · ~7 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 El Huerto Hostel?
Request a room on the upper floors (2nd or 3rd) at the back side of the building, away from Bolivar. These are quieter, with less street noise and better airflow. If available, an end-of-corridor room on the south side also reduces noise from common areas.
Which rooms should I avoid at El Huerto Hostel?
Avoid rooms facing Bolivar street on the ground or 1st floor—traffic and pedestrian noise from the main road will be intrusive. Also skip rooms near stairs or the reception area (often just off the entrance hall) due to foot traffic.
Is El Huerto Hostel noisy?
Main source: constant traffic on Bolivar (a main road in Ica centre) from early morning until late. Guests arriving/leaving via the entrance hall can also cause intermittent noise, especially in the evening.
Which rooms have the best views at El Huerto Hostel?
Limited—Bolivar is a busy street, so a room at the back overlooks an interior courtyard or neighbouring buildings, offering privacy but no scenic vista. For a glimpse of city life, a front room on the 2nd floor gives a view down the street, but expect noise.
What are insider tips for staying at El Huerto Hostel?
Request a room at check-in explicitly asking for 'back side, upper floor'—staff can often assign it if available. There is no dedicated car park; street parking on Bolivar is free but limited—arrive early to find a spot, or use the nearby public lot on Calle Lima.
What time is check-in at El Huerto Hostel?
Check-in at El Huerto Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does El Huerto Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests, communal password at check-in, sufficient for browsing and messaging (unreliable for video streaming)
Is there a city or tourist tax at El Huerto Hostel?
None (no municipal tourist tax in Ica)
Where can I eat cheaply near El Huerto Hostel?
Menu del día (set lunch) at a small eatery: soup, main, drink ~12-18 Soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from El Huerto Hostel?
Local combis (shared vans/minibuses) cost 1-2 Soles per ride; from the airport take the bus into Ica centre (~8 Soles), not a taxi.
When is the best time to visit Ica?
May, September and October offer clear skies, 27-30°C days and dramatically fewer tourists than July or August. You can explore the dunes and wineries without crowding.
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.