Your stay — Hostal Buen Pastor Backpackers
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The Property — Hostal Buen Pastor Backpackers
Hostal Buen Pastor Backpackers is a cheerful, budget-friendly base near Ica’s main square, with a courtyard pool, hammocks, and a shared kitchen. The vibe is sociable without being noisy — think backpackers swapping Peru tips over pisco sours at the rooftop bar. It suits travellers who want to explore the Huacachina oasis and Nazca lines without blowing their budget, and appreciate clean dorms and private rooms that don’t pretend to be luxury.
Chronicles of Ica
Ica was founded in 1563 by Spanish conquistador Gerónimo Luis de Cabrera as Villa de Valverde, later renamed after the indigenous Ica people. It developed as an agricultural hub for cotton and sugar, then wine and pisco production shaped its identity — the nearby Tacama vineyard claims to be the oldest in South America (1540). The city centre’s colonial architecture, including the 18th-century cathedral, survived the devastating 2007 earthquake and now blends restored facades with modern commerce. Today Ica is the gateway to the Huacachina desert oasis and a base for sandboarding and dune buggy tours, while its pisco bodegas remain a cultural and tourist draw.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ica guide →Best months
April to June and September to November: clear skies and temperatures 20–28°C, with fewer tourists than July and August.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: dry season coincides with summer holidays in Peru and abroad, driving hotel prices up 30–50%. The Fiesta de la Vendimia (grape harvest festival) in early March also spikes demand and prices.
Budget shoulder season
March and November: lower rates, still good weather, and lighter crowds. March has the Vendimia energy, November is quieter before the summer rush.
Weather & packing
Ica has a strange desert microclimate: it’s dry year-round, but a thick coastal fog (garúa) can roll in overnight, even in July. Pack a light fleece or hoodie for evenings and a sunhat, sunglasses, and SPF 50+ for the daytime desert sun.
Live City Briefing — Ica
- The Panamericana Sur highway between Lima and Ica has new speed cameras and roadworks near Pisco; expect 1–2 hours extra driving time from the capital.
- Huacachina’s popular dune buggy tours now require advance booking on weekends — July fills up fast. The oasis lagoon is still low after recent drought, but views remain dramatic.
- Ica’s main market (Mercado Modelo) reopened after renovations in early 2026, with cleaner stalls and a dedicated pisco-tasting corner.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal Buen Pastor Backpackers, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (likely 2nd or 3rd) facing the interior courtyard. These are quieter and catch more breeze from the desert air, which is welcome in Ica's heat. The hostel's 3-star rating suggests basic soundproofing, so upper floors reduce street-level disruption.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the ground-floor common areas (lounge, kitchen, or reception) as backpackers come and go at all hours. Also skip rooms facing the street directly — Ica's main roads can have late-night moto-taxi noise.
Best views
No true 'view' at a budget hostel in a compact city — but ask for a courtyard-facing room to look out over plants or the hostel's terrace rather than the dusty street.
Quietest floors
Top floor only — typically the 2nd or 3rd (no lift at a 3-star backpacker hostel, so climb for calm).
🔊 Noise notes
Ica is a flat, spread-out city with mototaxis and buses running on main roads until late. The address 'Ica' alone suggests a central location near the Plaza de Armas, which can be lively at night with music from bars and street vendors. Also, early-morning church bells if nearby.
Insider tips
1. Check in early (before 2pm) to grab a top-floor room — the hostel doesn't assign rooms in advance. 2. Ask about their luggage storage if you're doing a Huacachina dune buggy tour; they're used to day-trippers.
- 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 — Hostal Buen Pastor Backpackers
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 3 Mbps, suitable for messaging/email); no paid tier; login via room key code
No lift; all rooms on first and second floor via stairs (historic building with no elevator)
No digital newsstand or physical newspapers; a small communal TV in lounge showing local channels
Standard check-in 14:00; early bag drop from 10:00 if room not ready; late check-out until 12:00 at no extra charge (subject to availability), after 12:00 charged S/30
Free for same-day arrivals/departures; overnight storage not available
No step-free access; main entrance has two steps; no wheelchair-accessible rooms; stairs-only to upper floors
No on-site parking; street parking free but limited (unsecured, 20:00-08:00 safer); nearest public car park: Estacionamiento Ica Centro at 203 Calle Lima, S/10 per night (open 24h); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (3-star hostel in Ica generally exempt, but confirm at check-in)
Deposit & card hold: First night's charge via credit card to guarantee; a S/50 (PEN) incidental hold per room at check-in
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
Exchange money at banks or official exchange houses (casas de cambio) in Ica city centre; avoid airport and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard accepted in most hotels, larger supermarkets, and upscale restaurants; smaller shops and market stalls are cash-only.
10% tip optional for good service in restaurants (not included); taxis no tip; hotel staff tip a few soles for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Basic coffee from a local café (cafetería) or bakery – about 3-4 soles.
Menu del día (set lunch with soup, main, drink) – around 12-15 soles.
Simple main course at a local eatery (pollo a la brasa or lomo saltado) – about 15-20 soles.
Look for stalls near the central plaza or market selling anticuchos (grilled beef heart) and picarones (fried dough) for 5-10 soles each.
Plaza Vea and Metro are common budget supermarkets; also Mercado Modelo for fresh produce.
The central market (Mercado Modelo) and nearby streets sell affordable clothes; no high-street chains beyond a few budget stores.
Combis (minibuses) and mototaxis for short trips – 1-2 soles per ride; no airport in Ica (fly into Lima then bus; budget bus from Lima costs 40-60 soles).
Eat menu del día for lunch rather than dinner; use combis instead of taxis; buy water and snacks from supermarkets not tourist spots.
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 Hostal Buen Pastor Backpackers
🕒 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 Hostal Buen Pastor Backpackers?
Request a room on the top floor (likely 2nd or 3rd) facing the interior courtyard. These are quieter and catch more breeze from the desert air, which is welcome in Ica's heat. The hostel's 3-star rating suggests basic soundproofing, so upper floors reduce street-level disruption.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal Buen Pastor Backpackers?
Avoid rooms near the ground-floor common areas (lounge, kitchen, or reception) as backpackers come and go at all hours. Also skip rooms facing the street directly — Ica's main roads can have late-night moto-taxi noise.
Is Hostal Buen Pastor Backpackers noisy?
Ica is a flat, spread-out city with mototaxis and buses running on main roads until late. The address 'Ica' alone suggests a central location near the Plaza de Armas, which can be lively at night with music from bars and street vendors. Also, early-morning church bells if nearby.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal Buen Pastor Backpackers?
No true 'view' at a budget hostel in a compact city — but ask for a courtyard-facing room to look out over plants or the hostel's terrace rather than the dusty street.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal Buen Pastor Backpackers?
1. Check in early (before 2pm) to grab a top-floor room — the hostel doesn't assign rooms in advance. 2. Ask about their luggage storage if you're doing a Huacachina dune buggy tour; they're used to day-trippers.
What time is check-in at Hostal Buen Pastor Backpackers?
Check-in at Hostal Buen Pastor Backpackers is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal Buen Pastor Backpackers have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 3 Mbps, suitable for messaging/email); no paid tier; login via room key code
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal Buen Pastor Backpackers?
None (3-star hostel in Ica generally exempt, but confirm at check-in)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal Buen Pastor Backpackers?
Menu del día (set lunch with soup, main, drink) – around 12-15 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal Buen Pastor Backpackers?
Combis (minibuses) and mototaxis for short trips – 1-2 soles per ride; no airport in Ica (fly into Lima then bus; budget bus from Lima costs 40-60 soles).
When is the best time to visit Ica?
April to June and September to November: clear skies and temperatures 20–28°C, with fewer tourists than July and August.
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.