3 Best Hotels in The Southern Coast, Peru

Hands-down Huacachina's best budget lodging, this is a beautiful bargain in the oasis of Peru—clean, safe, and with its own little bar featuring a mural of Ica's now-disappeared camel herd. Thoughtful design touches are everywhere, from the Peruvian art and handicrafts adorning the walls to the gorgeous bamboo fittings and wooden balconies and walkways. If you want to relax, the pool area with its hammocks for lounging is super inviting. The collection of raucous parrots will ensure that you're up in time for breakfast. This place is very popular, so call ahead or risk missing out.

It may not be the most jumping joint in town, but this laid-back guesthouse is a good spot for enjoying the beauty of the desert landscape without having to deal with the constant party that you'll find in some other hotels. The gorgeous manicured garden with pool and outdoor parrilla (barbecue) looks right onto the dunes, and some rooms have balconies overlooking the lake.

Here you can imagine life as it was in Huacachina's heyday, thanks to a picture-postcard location fronting the lagoon and gorgeous Spanish colonial–style architecture. Though a tad rough around the edges, the cloistered 1920s property has regained some of its luster now that a Peruvian chain has taken it over, renovating the rooms and retaining most of the original features. The internal courtyard is lined with ficus trees, and rooms look out onto gardens overflowing with flowers. Bonus: the elegant English-style bar and better-than-average (though pricey) restaurant have fabulous lakeside views.