Lima: Sandboarding & 4x4 Dune Ride with Pickup & Gear

Summary

Sand dunes near Lima thrill ride with sandboarding and wild 4x4 tracks

You’ll feel the ocean breeze in Punta Hermosa before racing over wild dunes by 4x4 with a local guide who knows every bump and curve. Try sandboarding on both small and big slopes (gear included), laugh at your wipeouts, grab fruit and water along the way — and leave with sandy shoes plus photos you’ll actually want to show people.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t really know what to expect from a sandboarding tour in Lima — I mean, I’d never even touched a snowboard before, let alone tried it on sand. But there we were at 7am, still half-asleep, getting picked up right at our Airbnb by this friendly guy named Luis. He handed us bottled water and some fruit (mangoes that actually tasted like mangoes), and off we went through Lima’s early morning streets. The city felt quieter than usual — just the odd dog barking somewhere, the sky kind of washed out but promising sun.

Punta Hermosa came up fast — you could smell salt in the air before you saw the ocean. It’s one of those neighborhoods where people seem to live outside as much as inside. Luis joked about how he’d never get used to the sea breeze, even though he grew up here. We stopped for our gear: boots that felt heavier than I thought they’d be, helmets (which I was weirdly grateful for), and boards that looked like snowboards but somehow less intimidating? Luis gave us a quick run-through of what not to do (“Don’t try to stand up too soon or you’ll eat sand,” which… yeah).

The real fun started when we piled into his 4x4 and hit the dunes. I can’t really describe that first drop — your stomach sort of floats for a second, then you’re laughing because everyone else is yelling. The sand gets everywhere (I’m still finding it in my shoes), but honestly it just adds to it. We tried smaller dunes first; I wiped out twice but Luis was patient and kept snapping photos — probably caught my best face-plant on camera. By the time we tackled the big ones, my legs were shaking but in a good way. There’s this weird silence at the top before you go down, just wind and your own heartbeat.

I didn’t expect to feel so… awake after four hours out there. The sun was higher when we finished, everything smelled like warm sand and sunscreen, and I kept thinking about how Lima looked so far away from those dunes — like another world entirely. If you want something different from city tours or museums, this sandboarding experience near Lima is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sandboarding adventure in Punta Hermosa

• Pick up from hotel at 7 am
• Drive 30 minutes to Punta Hermosa
• Receive sandboarding equipment and briefing
• Ride 4x4 through sand dunes
• Sandboard on small dunes
• Sandboard on large dunes
• Enjoy photos and videos during activities

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Lima sandboarding tour?

Yes, pickup is included from hotels, hostels or Airbnbs in Lima.

How long does the whole sandboarding experience take?

The activity lasts around four hours after leaving Lima.

Do I need any previous experience for sandboarding?

No experience is needed; guides give a briefing before starting.

Is all equipment provided for sandboarding?

Yes, snowboards (for sand), boots, bindings and helmets are provided.

Are snacks or drinks included during the tour?

Yes, fruit and bottled water are included during the trip.

Where does this tour take place near Lima?

The tour happens south of Lima in Punta Hermosa neighborhood.

Can travelers with health issues join this activity?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Will someone take photos during my sandboarding run?

Your guide takes photos and videos throughout the experience.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation from your hotel or Airbnb in Lima to Punta Hermosa, all necessary equipment like snowboards (for sand), boots, bindings and helmet, fresh fruit snacks and bottled water along the way, plus plenty of photos and videos taken by your guide so you can relive every sandy moment later—then back to your door when it’s done.