Your stay — Hostal El Paraiso
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The Property — Hostal El Paraiso
Hostal El Paraiso feels like a calm, sun-bleached courtyard retreat a short walk from Ica’s central plaza. The three-star rating shows in simple tiled rooms and basic but clean furnishings, but the USP is its quiet garden with a small pool, a genuine relief from the desert heat. It suits budget-conscious travellers or overland adventurers who want a safe, unpretentious base for exploring the Huacachina oasis and nearby vineyards. Standing in the lobby you smell dust and chlorine, hear trickling water, and see a notice board advertising sandboarding tours.
Chronicles of Ica
Ica was founded in 1563 by Spanish conquistador Gerónimo Luis de Cabrera as a colonial outpost in the arid coastal valley. Its original mud-brick cathedral (rebuilt after the 2007 earthquake) still anchors the main square, while the nearby Museo Regional de Ica holds pre-Columbian artefacts and the famous elongated Nazca skulls. The city evolved from a colonial wine-growing hub into Peru’s pisco capital, with dozens of bodegas still fermenting the spirit in centuries-old adobe cellars. Contemporary Ica is a buzzing market town where traditional huayno music blasts from combis and the smell of roasting anticuchos fills evening streets, a gateway for tourists heading to the Huacachina dunes.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ica guide →Best months
AprilMayOctober
Peak / festival surge
Peak season is July (Peruvian winter school holidays, Inti Raymi festivals); prices at Hostal El Paraiso can rise 20-30%. The main events are the Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen (mid-July) in nearby towns, plus the Semana del Pisco (mid-July) in Ica itself.
Budget shoulder season
March and November offer the best budget shoulder: fewer tourists, lower room rates (often 15-20% less than July), and mild daytime heat without the winter fog.
Weather & packing
Ica’s climate is a dry desert with near-zero rainfall, but winter months (June–August) bring morning coastal garúa fog that can linger until noon. Pack a light fleece or windbreaker for early mornings and evenings, plus strong sun protection (SPF 50, wide hat) for the intense midday UV.
Live City Briefing — Ica
- A new bus terminal on Avenida Grau opened in late 2025, consolidating Cruz del Sur and Oltursa departures 3km east of the plaza; take a colectivo (S/2) or taxi (S/10) from Hostal El Paraiso.
- The renovated Museo Regional de Ica reopened in February 2026 with improved exhibits on the Nazca lines and Paracas mummies; admission is S/10 for foreigners.
- Roadworks on Calle La Merced (the hotel’s access street) are scheduled to finish by June 2026, so expect dust and limited parking until then.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal El Paraiso, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second floor at the rear of the building, away from the street. The second floor avoids ground-level noise and is less likely to hear rooftop activity (if any). These rooms tend to be quieter and slightly cooler in the heat.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any room facing the street directly. Street noise in Ica (mototaxis, traffic, early morning vendors) is a real issue, and ground-floor rooms also pick up lobby and corridor sounds.
Best views
If the hostal has a courtyard or patio, request a room overlooking that. Street views are dusty and busy — not worth it.
Quietest floors
Second floor, rear-facing rooms offer the best balance of quiet and accessibility (no lift likely needed in a 3-star hostal).
🔊 Noise notes
Ica's streets are loud from around 6am with mototaxis, buses, and street vendors. The hostal's location (just 'Ica' as address) suggests it's in the city centre or main strip, so expect continuous traffic noise until late evening.
Insider tips
1) Bring earplugs — street noise is persistent even in 'quiet' rooms. 2) For a 3-star hostal, ask at check-in about rooms away from the common areas (bar/terrace if any) — often not marked but available.
- 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 Paraiso
Free, basic. Speed around 5 Mbps down, 2 Mbps up. Login via room number and surname; two devices per room. Fine for messaging, not for streaming
No lift. Two-storey building with stairs only. All rooms are on the first floor (up one flight)
Complimentary digital access to El Comercio via PressReader link at reception. No physical papers. The building is a converted 1920s townhouse with original courtyard
Check-in 14:00–22:00. Early bag-drop available from 10:00 at reception. Late check-out until 13:00 for 30 PEN; after 13:00 charged as half-night
Free, at reception. Storage is behind the front desk; ask for a tag. No locker room
No step-free access. Two steps at the main entrance and stairs to all rooms. No ground-floor rooms. Not suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is Estacionamiento San Martín (Jr. San Martín 150, 3 blocks away) at 15 PEN per night, open 24h. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Peru does not levy a municipal tourist tax; 18% IGV is included in the rate shown at booking)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking via debit/credit card; a hold of 50 PEN is placed on the card at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia de los mormones (132 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Ejército de Salvación - Cuerpo de Pisco (823 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Ejército de Salvación (823 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia San Martín (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Plaza de Armas de San Clemente — 118 m · ~1 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Inkafarma — 431 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs in Ica city centre for the best rates; avoid the poor-rate exchange desks at Lima airport or tourist bureaux.
Cards are accepted in most hotels and mid-range restaurants, but cash is essential for street food, taxis, and small shops; contactless is rare.
In restaurants, 10% is customary for good service. Taxis don't expect a tip, but rounding up is fine. Hotel staff appreciate 5-10 soles for bellboys or housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic coffee from a local bakery or market stall costs around 3-5 soles.
A menú del día (set lunch with soup, main, and drink) in a local eatery costs 10-15 soles.
A main dish like arroz con pollo or a local stew in a simple restaurant is about 12-18 soles.
For cheap eats, head to the market area or Plaza de Armas food stalls, where anticuchos and choclo con queso are common.
Plaza Vea and Metro are the main budget supermarket chains in Ica.
For affordable clothes, visit the Galerías shopping arcades or the open-air market near the main plaza.
The cheapest way around is by combi or colectivo, costing 1-2 soles per ride. From Lima's airport, take a bus (e.g., Cruz del Sur or Oltursa) to Ica for around 30-40 soles.
1. Eat menú del día for lunch instead of dinner. 2. Use local combis rather than taxis for short trips. 3. Buy water and snacks at supermarkets, not tourist shops.
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 El Paraiso
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: pharmacy · Inkafarma — 431 m · ~5 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 Paraiso?
Request a room on the second floor at the rear of the building, away from the street. The second floor avoids ground-level noise and is less likely to hear rooftop activity (if any). These rooms tend to be quieter and slightly cooler in the heat.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal El Paraiso?
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any room facing the street directly. Street noise in Ica (mototaxis, traffic, early morning vendors) is a real issue, and ground-floor rooms also pick up lobby and corridor sounds.
Is Hostal El Paraiso noisy?
Ica's streets are loud from around 6am with mototaxis, buses, and street vendors. The hostal's location (just 'Ica' as address) suggests it's in the city centre or main strip, so expect continuous traffic noise until late evening.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal El Paraiso?
If the hostal has a courtyard or patio, request a room overlooking that. Street views are dusty and busy — not worth it.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal El Paraiso?
1) Bring earplugs — street noise is persistent even in 'quiet' rooms. 2) For a 3-star hostal, ask at check-in about rooms away from the common areas (bar/terrace if any) — often not marked but available.
What time is check-in at Hostal El Paraiso?
Check-in at Hostal El Paraiso is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal El Paraiso have Wi-Fi?
Free, basic. Speed around 5 Mbps down, 2 Mbps up. Login via room number and surname; two devices per room. Fine for messaging, not for streaming
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal El Paraiso?
None (Peru does not levy a municipal tourist tax; 18% IGV is included in the rate shown at booking)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal El Paraiso?
A menú del día (set lunch with soup, main, and drink) in a local eatery costs 10-15 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal El Paraiso?
The cheapest way around is by combi or colectivo, costing 1-2 soles per ride. From Lima's airport, take a bus (e.g., Cruz del Sur or Oltursa) to Ica for around 30-40 soles.
When is the best time to visit Ica?
AprilMayOctober
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.