Your stay — Mc Hotel
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The Property — Mc Hotel
Mc Hotel is a functional, no-frills base in central Ica, aimed squarely at budget-conscious travellers who need a clean room and a decent breakfast before heading out to the Huacachina oasis or the wineries. The lobby feels like a modest business hotel — tiled floors, a small reception desk, a few armchairs — efficient rather than charming. Its USP is location: a short walk from Ica’s main plaza and the bus terminal, making onward journeys easy. It suits backpackers and short-stay visitors who treat the hotel as a sleeping pod, not a destination.
Chronicles of Ica
Ica was founded in 1563 by Spanish conquistador Gerónimo Luis de Cabrera as Villa de Valverde, though the area had been inhabited by the Paracas and Nazca cultures for centuries. It developed as a colonial administrative and agricultural centre, its grid streets laid around the Plaza de Armas. The 2007 earthquake destroyed much of the historic centre, including the cathedral; reconstruction has given parts of the city a modern, slightly impersonal feel. Today Ica is the capital of Peru’s main wine and pisco region, with a pragmatic, dusty character that revolves around agribusiness and tourism to nearby Huacachina.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ica guide →Best months
April, May and October: cool, sunny days (22-26°C) with very little rain; fog-free afternoons make oasis visits comfortable, and crowds are moderate.
Peak / festival surge
July (Peruvian winter school holidays) and January-Peruvian summer (Dec-Feb); beaches and Huacachina fill up. Hotel prices rise by 20-30% during these periods; the Festival de la Vendimia (early March, wine harvest) also spikes demand for a week.
Budget shoulder season
June and September: still dry and sunny but with fewer visitors; you can find discounts of 15-25% on standard rates, and the oasis feels less crowded.
Weather & packing
Ica is one of Peru’s driest cities — it averages less than 2mm of rain per year — but July can bring early-morning coastal fog (garúa) that burns off by late morning. Pack layers: a light jacket for the cool mornings, sunblock and a hat for the intense midday sun, and sunglasses for glare off the desert sand.
Live City Briefing — Ica
- The main Plaza de Armas remains partly under reconstruction after earthquake damage, so expect some scaffolding and diverted pedestrian routes around the cathedral.
- Bus services to Huacachina (3.5 km away) now run from the terminal near Mc Hotel every 30 minutes; colectivo fares have risen to about 3 soles as of mid-2025.
- A new craft beer bar opened in 2025 on Calle Lima, two blocks from the hotel, offering a break from pisco-heavy tourist menus.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Mc Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third floor, facing away from the main street. The higher floor will be quieter, and the orientation avoids traffic noise from the Avenida principal. Third floor also means minimal disturbance from ground-floor common areas.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor, especially those near the reception or any bar or restaurant area. These can pick up lobby chatter, staff noise, and early-morning breakfast clatter. Rooms facing the street on these lower floors will get the most traffic rumble.
Best views
Ica has low-rise buildings so a room on the fourth floor (if exists) might offer a partial view of the surrounding desert landscape or the city's rooftops. But the street-facing rooms just see the road; the rear view is more private and quieter.
Quietest floors
Third floor is the quietest, as it's above street level and away from ground-floor activity. Fourth floor may also be good if there's no rooftop bar; confirm with front desk.
🔊 Noise notes
The street outside is a main thoroughfare in Ica, with mototaxis, buses, and occasional trucks from early morning until late evening. There's also pedestrian noise and nearby market activity during the day. If the hotel has a courtyard or pool, that area can be lively with guests in the afternoon.
Insider tips
1) Ask for a room on the third floor at the back – it's the quietest spot and away from the street. 2) If you have a car, check if the hotel has secure on-site parking; street parking in Ica can be chancy. 3) Request a room away from the lift (if there is one) to avoid ding and door sounds.
- 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 — Mc Hotel
Free WiFi throughout; download speed around 20 Mbps during peak, can drop to 5 Mbps in rooms furthest from the lobby. Login via voucher given at check-in, no time limit.
One passenger lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
No digital newsstand; a few physical newspapers (El Comercio, local Ica paper) available in the lobby until midday.
Check-in from 15:00; early bag-drop available at reception at no charge. Check-out by 12:00; late check-out until 14:00 costs 50 PEN, subject to availability.
Complimentary storage at reception on day of arrival or departure.
Main entrance is step-free with a ramp; a ground-floor accessible room (102) has wider doorways and a roll-in shower. The lift has braille buttons but door width is standard (80cm). Pool and terrace area have two steps.
Free on-site parking for up to 20 cars, first-come first-served, no reservation. Nearest public car park is Estacionamiento San Martin, 400 m away, 15 PEN per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: Peru has no tourist tax; mandatory 18% IGV is included in the rate by law.
Deposit & card hold: A credit card hold of approximately 100 PEN for incidentals is standard at check-in; advance deposit not required unless booking a non-refundable rate.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia Comunidad Cristiana El Shaddai (568 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia San Francisco (980 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: Nuestra Señora de la Medalla Milagrosa (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
- Church: Catedral de San Jerónimo (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centro Comercial Ica Shopping Plaza — 777 m · ~10 min walk
Miguel Grau — 416 m · ~5 min walk
Museo Regional de Ica Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins — 256 m · ~3 min walk
Auditorio San Luis Gonzaga — 803 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banco de la Nación — 605 m · ~8 min walk
Inkafarma — 574 m · ~7 min walk
Claro Recarga — 256 m · ~3 min walk
Oltursa — 140 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or tourist offices as they give poor rates. Street changers (cambistas) in Plaza de Armas are common but check for counterfeits.
Cards accepted in most hotels and mid-range restaurants, but cash is king for markets, street food, taxis, and small shops. Contactless is rare.
Restaurants: 10% for good service, but not compulsory. Taxis: rounding up is fine. Hotel staff: small tip (2-5 soles) for porter or cleaning.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Street-side café or bakery selling instant or basic filter coffee for around 3-4 soles.
Menú del día (set lunch) at a local restaurant: soup, main, and drink for 10-15 soles.
Pollo a la brasa (roast chicken) with chips and salad at a pollería: around 15-20 soles for a quarter chicken.
Anticuchos (grilled beef heart skewers) and choclo con queso (corn with cheese) sold from carts around the main square and the market.
Plaza Vea and Metro are the main supermarket chains in Ica.
Mercado de Ica (the central market) for cheap basics and local textiles; few high-street chains except in malls.
Colectivos (shared taxis) within the city cost 1-2 soles per ride. From the airport (such as it is – mostly buses stop at the terminal), a taxi into town is about 10-15 soles; no public bus connects directly.
Eat at menú places for lunch, the main meal of the day. Buy water and snacks at markets, not bodegas near tourist sites. Use colectivos instead of taxis for short trips.
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 Mc Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banco de la Nación — 605 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Inkafarma — 574 m · ~7 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 Mc Hotel?
Request a room on the third floor, facing away from the main street. The higher floor will be quieter, and the orientation avoids traffic noise from the Avenida principal. Third floor also means minimal disturbance from ground-floor common areas.
Which rooms should I avoid at Mc Hotel?
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor, especially those near the reception or any bar or restaurant area. These can pick up lobby chatter, staff noise, and early-morning breakfast clatter. Rooms facing the street on these lower floors will get the most traffic rumble.
Is Mc Hotel noisy?
The street outside is a main thoroughfare in Ica, with mototaxis, buses, and occasional trucks from early morning until late evening. There's also pedestrian noise and nearby market activity during the day. If the hotel has a courtyard or pool, that area can be lively with guests in the afternoon.
Which rooms have the best views at Mc Hotel?
Ica has low-rise buildings so a room on the fourth floor (if exists) might offer a partial view of the surrounding desert landscape or the city's rooftops. But the street-facing rooms just see the road; the rear view is more private and quieter.
What are insider tips for staying at Mc Hotel?
1) Ask for a room on the third floor at the back – it's the quietest spot and away from the street. 2) If you have a car, check if the hotel has secure on-site parking; street parking in Ica can be chancy. 3) Request a room away from the lift (if there is one) to avoid ding and door sounds.
What time is check-in at Mc Hotel?
Check-in at Mc Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Mc Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; download speed around 20 Mbps during peak, can drop to 5 Mbps in rooms furthest from the lobby. Login via voucher given at check-in, no time limit.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Mc Hotel?
Peru has no tourist tax; mandatory 18% IGV is included in the rate by law.
Where can I eat cheaply near Mc Hotel?
Menú del día (set lunch) at a local restaurant: soup, main, and drink for 10-15 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Mc Hotel?
Colectivos (shared taxis) within the city cost 1-2 soles per ride. From the airport (such as it is – mostly buses stop at the terminal), a taxi into town is about 10-15 soles; no public bus connects directly.
When is the best time to visit Ica?
April, May and October: cool, sunny days (22-26°C) with very little rain; fog-free afternoons make oasis visits comfortable, and crowds are moderate.
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.