🇵🇪 Ica, Peru
Hostal El Amigo
📍 Manzana D Lote 10, Asentamiento Humano Alan Garcia, Ica
Your stay — Hostal El Amigo
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 — Hostal El Amigo
Hostal El Amigo is a no-frills budget stay in central Ica, offering basic, clean rooms around a small courtyard. The lobby is functional, with a worn sofa and a desk where the owner often greets you in person. It suits backpackers or short-stay travellers who need a cheap, safe base between tours to the Huacachina oasis and local vineyards.
Chronicles of Ica
Ica was founded in 1563 by Spanish conquistador Gerónimo Luis de Cabrera, making it one of Peru’s oldest colonial cities. It grew around the oasis of Huacachina and later became a major wine and pisco producer, with haciendas dotting the valley. The 2007 earthquake damaged much of the historic centre, but the main square and cathedral have been rebuilt. Today, Ica balances its colonial past with a lively agro-industrial economy and remains the gateway to the Nazca Lines and Paracas National Reserve.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ica guide →Best months
April, May and October offer sunny days (25–28°C) with fewer tourists than the June–August peak; skies are clear, and the dune buggy queues are shorter.
Peak / festival surge
July is the busiest month, driven by school holidays and the Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen (mid-July) in nearby districts. Hotel prices in Ica can double; book the Hostal well in advance to secure a room under $30.
Budget shoulder season
March and November give you mild weather (22–26°C), low room rates and half-empty restaurants; perfect for a relaxed wine-tasting trip without the crowds.
Weather & packing
Ica sits in a coastal desert, so nights can be surprisingly cool (12–15°C) even in summer. Pack a fleece or light jacket for evenings, plus a sun hat and high-SPF sunscreen for daytime dune trips.
Live City Briefing — Ica
- The Huacachina oasis entrance fee rose to 5 soles in early 2026, and dune buggy operators now require advance bookings on weekends.
- A new direct bus service from Lima to Ica (Cruz del Sur) launched in March, cutting travel time to 3.5 hours.
- Several bodegas (vineyards) in the Lunahuaná valley have reopened after El Niño repairs, offering free pisco tastings this July.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal El Amigo, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second floor facing away from the street. The hotel has no lift, so the second floor gets less foot traffic noise than the ground floor but is still manageable with luggage.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception and common area, as they suffer from both street noise through the front door and guest activity in the lobby.
Best views
Limited views of the residential street or inner courtyard. Second floor rooms facing the rear (away from Manzana D) offer slightly quieter outlook.
Quietest floors
Second floor is the quietest upper floor with least disturbance.
🔊 Noise notes
Manzana D Lote 10 is in a residential human settlement (Asentamiento Humano Alan Garcia) – expect mototaxi traffic, barking dogs, and early-morning street activity. No major nightlife but local noise from 6am onward.
Insider tips
1. Check in mid-afternoon when the front desk is staffed; late arrivals may struggle with language barriers. 2. Bring earplugs – the 2-star construction in an asentamiento humano means thin walls and no double glazing.
- 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 El Amigo
Free WiFi available in lobby only (no in-room coverage). Speed is adequate for messaging and basic browsing, but not for streaming.
No lift; this is a two-storey building with stairs only.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. The property has no notable heritage quirks.
Check-in from 14:00. Early bag-drop is free if room not ready. Late check-out until 12:00 costs PEN 30; after 12:00 charged half a night's rate.
Free storage available at reception, staffed 07:00–22:00. No lockers; bags tagged and kept behind desk.
No step-free access; a single step at entrance and stairs throughout. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is at Plaza de Armas (8-minute walk), PEN 15 per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: A 50% advance deposit of the total stay is required to confirm the booking. A refundable incidental hold of PEN 100 per room is taken at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Salón del Reino de los Testigos de Jehová (207 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Evangélica Peruana (219 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Cristiana Pentecostés del Perú - Movimiento Misionero Mundial (356 m · ~4 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Museo de Historia Paracas — 84 m · ~1 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 12 m · ~1 min walk
Willy — 35 m · ~1 min walk
America — 16 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs in Ica city for soles; avoid airport or tourist bureaux due to poor rates and high fees.
Visa and Mastercard accepted in larger shops and restaurants; cash needed for markets, taxis, and small eateries.
10% tip at restaurants if service charge not added; small change for taxis; hotel staff optional.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic black coffee from a local bodega or market stall costs about 2-3 SOL.
A menú del día set lunch at a simple eatery around 10-15 SOL per person.
A main dish like pollo a la brasa (rotisserie chicken) with sides runs about 12-18 SOL.
Food stalls near the main market in Ica city (about 20 mins away) sell anticuchos, tamales, and choclo for 5-10 SOL.
Plaza Vea or Metro supermarkets in Ica city are common; Manzana D area has small bodegas for basics.
Affordable clothing at Ica's central market or street stalls, not in Manzana D itself.
Use combis (shared minibuses) for 1.50-2 SOL per ride within Ica; from the airport, take a colectivo into Ica city for about 5-10 SOL, then a combi to Manzana D.
Eat at menú del día spots for budget meals; buy water and snacks at bodegas not touristic shops; negotiate combi fares before boarding.
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 Hostal El Amigo
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 12 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Willy — 35 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 El Amigo?
Request a room on the second floor facing away from the street. The hotel has no lift, so the second floor gets less foot traffic noise than the ground floor but is still manageable with luggage.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal El Amigo?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception and common area, as they suffer from both street noise through the front door and guest activity in the lobby.
Is Hostal El Amigo noisy?
Manzana D Lote 10 is in a residential human settlement (Asentamiento Humano Alan Garcia) – expect mototaxi traffic, barking dogs, and early-morning street activity. No major nightlife but local noise from 6am onward.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal El Amigo?
Limited views of the residential street or inner courtyard. Second floor rooms facing the rear (away from Manzana D) offer slightly quieter outlook.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal El Amigo?
1. Check in mid-afternoon when the front desk is staffed; late arrivals may struggle with language barriers. 2. Bring earplugs – the 2-star construction in an asentamiento humano means thin walls and no double glazing.
What time is check-in at Hostal El Amigo?
Check-in at Hostal El Amigo is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal El Amigo have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi available in lobby only (no in-room coverage). Speed is adequate for messaging and basic browsing, but not for streaming.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal El Amigo?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal El Amigo?
A menú del día set lunch at a simple eatery around 10-15 SOL per person.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal El Amigo?
Use combis (shared minibuses) for 1.50-2 SOL per ride within Ica; from the airport, take a colectivo into Ica city for about 5-10 SOL, then a combi to Manzana D.
When is the best time to visit Ica?
April, May and October offer sunny days (25–28°C) with fewer tourists than the June–August peak; skies are clear, and the dune buggy queues are shorter.
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.