Our surf instructor in Lima told us about this little family-run, oasis side hospedaje. Gino, the owner, and his entire family are adorable. Rates were reasonable. But, I was pretty grossed out by the linens. The comfortor in the "matromonial" room we stayed in looked like it had blood on it, which freaked me out. And, I was doubful that the pillow cases had been changed before our arrival. So, we put t-shirts over our pillows, and my boyfriend told me to suck it up. We had a private bathroom with plenty of hot water. I just can't seem to understand why toilet paper is in such short supply in this place, and most every hostel we visit.

We thought the breakfasts were free and included, but they are not, and were in debt and had no money when we we checking out to pay them for breakfast, so ended up having to make an emergency/RUSH ATM run in town before catching our bus back to Lima.

Ica and Huacachina by far had the WORST coffee. But, we found this EXCELLENT place down the street next to La Suiza called the Bamboo House, that had just opened that week. Owned by a lovely Brittish woman and her fiance. They were so hospitable, and it was so refreshing to have REAL coffee, served in a french press, with these cute little homemade cookies they gave us, too.

Taking a buggy ride with Gino is a MUST. They start arund 4 p.m. and were certianly the highlight of my trip to Huacachina/Ica.

We also hired a taxi driver named Alberto to take us for a tour of Ica and the surrounding bodegas, churches and other cool local sites, like the home of the renowned Tejas de Rosalia. We didn't much like the pecan candies, but since the pope did, we thought we better buy some, too. We gave them to the housekeeper's kid's when we arrived back to Lima the next day.