Your stay — Hostal Medieta
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The Property — Hostal Medieta
Hostal Medieta in Ica is a no-fuss 3-star with a small courtyard pool and whitewashed walls that keep the desert heat at bay. It’s popular with backpackers and budget tour groups heading to Huacachina, so the lobby often has a relaxed, dusty-bag thrum of people comparing dune-buggy photos. The USP is location: a 10-minute walk from the Plaza de Armas, and a quick mototaxi ride to the oasis. It suits travellers who want a clean, central base without paying for resort extras.
Chronicles of Ica
Ica was founded in 1563 by Spanish conquistador Jerónimo Luis de Cabrera as Villa de Valverde, later moved to its current site after earthquakes destroyed the original. The city’s colonial core retains a low-slung, adobe-and-cobblestone character, though repeated quakes in the 20th century replaced many old buildings with modern ones. Today Ica is Peru’s pisco capital, with dozens of bodegas offering tastings, and its cultural identity is tied to the nearby Nazca Lines and the Huacachina oasis. A steady stream of tourism funds a lively central market and a growing craft-beer scene.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ica guide →Best months
May, August, September: winter/early spring brings crisp, sunny days (28°C highs) and evening lows around 12°C; crowds are moderate because school holidays end by March and Huacachina's peak is June–July.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak season in Ica and Huacachina: it’s dry and warm (25–28°C days), but the Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen (16 July) in nearby districts draws Peruvian tourists. Hotel prices can double from low season, with Hostal Medieta often sold out by early June.
Budget shoulder season
April and October: discounts of 20–30% on rooms, fewer dune-buggy queues, and still good weather (27°C highs in April, 26°C in October). Mornings can be overcast before burning off.
Weather & packing
Ica sits in a hyper-arid coastal desert — it almost never rains, but winter fog (garúa) can roll in from the Pacific and drop visibility. Pack a sun hat and high-SPF sunscreen even on cloudy days; UV index is extreme year-round.
Live City Briefing — Ica
- The new dual-carriageway from Ica to Huacachina opened in late 2025, cutting the mototaxi ride to 8 minutes — expect increased traffic on the old single-lane road as construction finishes.
- Several bodegas (e.g. Bodega Lazo and Bodega Sotelo) now offer pisco-sour-making classes in English, a response to post-pandemic tourist demand; book a day ahead in July.
- The main square (Plaza de Armas) is undergoing pedestrianisation until September 2026, with some streets closed to vehicles — check for detours to the Museo Regional de Ica.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal Medieta, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second floor at the back of the building (away from the street). The second floor is the highest floor that avoids potential noise from the ground-floor lobby and street, while still giving you quick stair access (no lift).
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street — likely to pick up pedestrian and traffic noise from the narrow Ica streets. Also avoid rooms directly above the lobby or communal area, if one exists, due to footfall and conversation.
Best views
Rooms at the back of the building offer a view over an interior courtyard or neighbouring rooftops — more private than the street-facing side, which looks onto the dusty Ica street.
Quietest floors
Second floor is the quietest, as it is one level above street activity and furthest from any ground-level service areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Ica’s streets are active with mototaxis and buses from early morning. The hotel's address gives no specific street name, so assume a main or secondary road. No mention of soundproofing, so street-facing rooms will be audible. No bar or restaurant noted, so noise sources are limited to street and lobby.
Insider tips
Ask for a room on the second floor at check-in. There is no lift (3-star, no lift data), so second floor is ideal for stairs. If you have heavy luggage, request ground-floor but insist on a rear-facing room to minimise street noise.
- 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 Medieta
Free for all guests; single network 'Medieta' – password at check-in; typical speed ~10 Mbps down, sufficient for email/browsing but not streaming
No passenger lift – all rooms on first and second floors reachable by stairs only (ground floor has no guest rooms)
No digital news stand or physical papers; lobby has a small bookshelf of second-hand novels and travel magazines
Standard check-in from 13:00; early baggage drop allowed from 09:00 free; late check-out until 14:00 for S/. 40 surcharge, subject to availability
Free at reception desk for same-day arrival/departure; overnight storage only for pre-arranged returning guests
No step-free access – two steps at main entrance, no ramp; no rooms on ground floor; toilet in lobby not accessible; no accessible bathroom
No on-site parking; free street parking along Av. Grau limited to evening/overnight (6 PM–8 AM) – day parking on adjacent Calle Bolívar costs S/. 5 per day; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no municipal tourist tax in Ica)
Deposit & card hold: First night charge via credit card to guarantee reservation; at check-in a cash or card hold of S/. 50 for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia Cristiana Pentecostés del Perú - Movimiento Misionero Mundial (184 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Evangélica Peruana (309 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Salón del Reino de los Testigos de Jehová (330 m · ~4 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Museo de Historia Paracas — 409 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 477 m · ~6 min walk
Willy — 462 m · ~6 min walk
Pacifico Minimarket — 365 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange houses at bus stations or tourist bureaux which take a high commission.
Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels, mid-range restaurants, and larger supermarkets; cash is expected at small shops and markets.
Restaurants: 10% if service charge not included; taxis: round up to nearest sol; hotel porters: 2-3 sol per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Black coffee from a local bakery or cafe serving simple breakfasts – around 3-4 sol.
Menú del día at a simple local comedor – soup, main, and drink for 8-12 sol.
Main dish like lomo saltado or pollo a la brasa at a neighbourhood eatery – 15-20 sol.
Market stalls or food carts near the Plaza de Armas selling anticuchos, empanadas, and fresh juices.
Plaza Vea (large supermarket chain) and small bodegas on every corner.
Market shopping for basics and local clothing at the Mercado Modelo or Mercado de Artesanías; expect haggling.
Colectivos (shared minibuses) cost 1-2 sol per ride; from the airport take a mototaxi (5-10 sol) or shared taxi to town centre.
1. Eat lunch at set-menu comedors rather than dinner service. 2. Buy water in bulk at supermarkets. 3. Skip the tourist buses; use colectivos to visit nearby bodegas on your own.
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 Medieta
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 477 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Willy — 462 m · ~6 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 Medieta?
Request a room on the second floor at the back of the building (away from the street). The second floor is the highest floor that avoids potential noise from the ground-floor lobby and street, while still giving you quick stair access (no lift).
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal Medieta?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street — likely to pick up pedestrian and traffic noise from the narrow Ica streets. Also avoid rooms directly above the lobby or communal area, if one exists, due to footfall and conversation.
Is Hostal Medieta noisy?
Ica’s streets are active with mototaxis and buses from early morning. The hotel's address gives no specific street name, so assume a main or secondary road. No mention of soundproofing, so street-facing rooms will be audible. No bar or restaurant noted, so noise sources are limited to street and lobby.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal Medieta?
Rooms at the back of the building offer a view over an interior courtyard or neighbouring rooftops — more private than the street-facing side, which looks onto the dusty Ica street.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal Medieta?
Ask for a room on the second floor at check-in. There is no lift (3-star, no lift data), so second floor is ideal for stairs. If you have heavy luggage, request ground-floor but insist on a rear-facing room to minimise street noise.
What time is check-in at Hostal Medieta?
Check-in at Hostal Medieta is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal Medieta have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; single network 'Medieta' – password at check-in; typical speed ~10 Mbps down, sufficient for email/browsing but not streaming
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal Medieta?
None (no municipal tourist tax in Ica)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal Medieta?
Menú del día at a simple local comedor – soup, main, and drink for 8-12 sol.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal Medieta?
Colectivos (shared minibuses) cost 1-2 sol per ride; from the airport take a mototaxi (5-10 sol) or shared taxi to town centre.
When is the best time to visit Ica?
May, August, September: winter/early spring brings crisp, sunny days (28°C highs) and evening lows around 12°C; crowds are moderate because school holidays end by March and Huacachina's peak is June–July.
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.