Your stay — Hospedaje Ricardo's
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The Property — Hospedaje Ricardo's
Hospedaje Ricardo’s is a straightforward 3-star guesthouse with a leafy courtyard and tiled corridors, a few blocks from Ica’s Plaza de Armas. The vibe is functional and unpretentious: a small pool, basic rooms with air conditioning, and a simple breakfast of bread, jam, and coffee. There’s no restaurant or bar, so you’ll head into town for meals. It suits budget-minded travellers who need a clean bed and a cold shower after a day in the desert, not a resort experience.
Chronicles of Ica
Ica was founded in 1563 by Spanish conquistador Jerónimo Luis de Cabrera under the name Villa de Valverde, though it was later relocated after earthquakes. The city grew wealthy from cotton, wine, and pisco production, using the fertile Ica Valley fed by the Río Ica. Its architecture blends colonial churches with 19th-century Republican mansions, many rebuilt after the 2007 Pisco earthquake. Today Ica is the commercial hub of the region, a stop for travellers heading to Huacachina oasis and the Nazca Lines, and fiercely proud of its pisco distilleries.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ica guide →Best months
April, May, and November: warm days (26–28°C), cool nights (14–16°C), low chance of fog or drizzle, and fewer tourists than the July–August peak.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the busiest months, driven by Peruvian school holidays and international travellers. Hotel prices can double. The Fiesta de la Vendimia (grape harvest) in early March also spikes demand in Ica.
Budget shoulder season
September and October offer mild weather, lower prices, and thinner crowds. The valley is still green from the winter fog, and you can often negotiate a 20–30% discount at budget hotels.
Weather & packing
Ica is one of the driest cities in Peru (under 20 mm rain a year) but July mornings often have a thick coastal fog called garúa that burns off by noon. Pack a lightweight jacket or sweater for early mornings and evenings, plus sun protection for the strong afternoon sun.
Live City Briefing — Ica
- The main road into Huacachina oasis (about 5 km from Ica) was repaved in late 2025, cutting travel time, but weekend traffic still backs up at the entrance from 3–6 PM.
- Pisco distilleries in the Ica Valley have introduced new tasting hours – most now open 10 AM–5 PM and require booking ahead due to post-pandemic limits.
- A new pedestrian-only section on Calle Lima (between Jr. Cajamarca and Jr. Moquegua) was inaugurated in April 2026, with pop-up food stalls on Saturday evenings.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hospedaje Ricardo's, 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. The address on Meliton Carbajal is a residential street with some local traffic, so courtyard-facing rooms are noticeably quieter than street-facing ones. Upper floors also reduce street-level noise from foot traffic and occasional motorbikes.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those near the reception or common areas. Ground-floor rooms are more exposed to street noise from Meliton Carbajal and can get footfall from guests coming and going. Also avoid any room directly adjacent to the stairwell, as noise carries up from the lobby.
Best views
The best view is from a second-floor room looking onto the inner courtyard, which often has plants or a seating area typical of Ica hospedajes. Street-facing rooms give a view of Meliton Carbajal — a modest residential street with houses and occasional cars, nothing special. There’s no scenic panoramic view given the low-rise neighbourhood.
Quietest floors
The first and second floors are the quietest, as long as they face the courtyard. The building has no lift (common for a 3-star in Ica), so noise from guests using stairs is minimal on these floors. First floor rooms above ground level are also less affected by street activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Main noise sources are: (1) street traffic on Meliton Carbajal — light but can be noticeable in front-facing rooms, especially motorbikes and early morning deliveries. (2) Lobby and communal area sounds on the ground floor — voices, doors, and staff activity. (3) Occasional barking dogs from nearby houses. (4) No lift means no mechanical noise, but stairwell can amplify voices between floors.
Insider tips
1. Request a courtyard-facing room when booking — it’s the single most effective way to reduce street noise. Phone or email ahead if possible. 2. Parking is usually on-street or a small lot; if you’re driving, arrive early to secure a spot near the entrance. The address on Meliton Carbajal has limited kerb space.
- 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 — Hospedaje Ricardo's
Free Wi-Fi throughout; moderate speed suitable for browsing and messaging; no login required. Weekend speeds sometimes drop due to full occupancy.
No lift; two-storey building with stairs only.
No complimentary newspaper service; lobby has a small TV with local channels.
Check-in 14:00–23:30; early bag drop free if room ready; late check-out fee 10 USD until 13:00, subject to availability.
Free storage available behind the front desk for same-day check-out or early arrival.
No step-free access; main entrance has a single step; bathrooms are narrow—guests with wheelchairs may struggle in corridors and rooms.
No on-site parking; free public street parking around the block usually available; nearest public car park (Estacionamiento Ica) 3 blocks away, about 5 PEN per hour or 20 PEN overnight; no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required at booking; credit card hold for incidentals at check-in.
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Exchange at banks or casa de cambio in Ica city; avoid airport kiosks and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted at hotels and larger shops; cash needed for taxis, small eateries, and market stalls.
10% in restaurants if service charge not included; small change for taxis; hotel staff appreciate 5–10 soles for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic black coffee at a local café costs around 4–6 soles.
Menu del día (set lunch with soup, main, drink) runs 10–15 soles.
A main course at a no-frills restaurant costs about 12–18 soles.
Anticuchos (grilled skewers) and picarones (doughnuts) from stalls along Avenida Grau or near the Plaza de Armas.
Supermercado Metro and Plaza Vea are common budget chains in Ica city.
Mercado de San Jerónimo or stalls along Calle Los Incas offer cheap local apparel.
City bus costs 1 sol per ride; to go from Ica airport take a colectivo to the city centre (about 3 soles).
Eat at market stalls for filling meals; take collectivos instead of taxis; buy water and snacks at bodegas, not hotel minibars.
Good to know — Ica
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.41 · 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 Hospedaje Ricardo's
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 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 Hospedaje Ricardo's?
Request a room on the second or third floor facing the inner courtyard. The address on Meliton Carbajal is a residential street with some local traffic, so courtyard-facing rooms are noticeably quieter than street-facing ones. Upper floors also reduce street-level noise from foot traffic and occasional motorbikes.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hospedaje Ricardo's?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those near the reception or common areas. Ground-floor rooms are more exposed to street noise from Meliton Carbajal and can get footfall from guests coming and going. Also avoid any room directly adjacent to the stairwell, as noise carries up from the lobby.
Is Hospedaje Ricardo's noisy?
Main noise sources are: (1) street traffic on Meliton Carbajal — light but can be noticeable in front-facing rooms, especially motorbikes and early morning deliveries. (2) Lobby and communal area sounds on the ground floor — voices, doors, and staff activity. (3) Occasional barking dogs from nearby houses. (4) No lift means no mechanical noise, but stairwell can amplify voices between floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Hospedaje Ricardo's?
The best view is from a second-floor room looking onto the inner courtyard, which often has plants or a seating area typical of Ica hospedajes. Street-facing rooms give a view of Meliton Carbajal — a modest residential street with houses and occasional cars, nothing special. There’s no scenic panoramic view given the low-rise neighbourhood.
What are insider tips for staying at Hospedaje Ricardo's?
1. Request a courtyard-facing room when booking — it’s the single most effective way to reduce street noise. Phone or email ahead if possible. 2. Parking is usually on-street or a small lot; if you’re driving, arrive early to secure a spot near the entrance. The address on Meliton Carbajal has limited kerb space.
What time is check-in at Hospedaje Ricardo's?
Check-in at Hospedaje Ricardo's is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hospedaje Ricardo's have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; moderate speed suitable for browsing and messaging; no login required. Weekend speeds sometimes drop due to full occupancy.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hospedaje Ricardo's?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hospedaje Ricardo's?
Menu del día (set lunch with soup, main, drink) runs 10–15 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hospedaje Ricardo's?
City bus costs 1 sol per ride; to go from Ica airport take a colectivo to the city centre (about 3 soles).
When is the best time to visit Ica?
April, May, and November: warm days (26–28°C), cool nights (14–16°C), low chance of fog or drizzle, and fewer tourists than the July–August peak.
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.