Property Transaction Tax in Ica

3% (Alcabala tax, first 10 UIT exempt)

Studio Purchase Price (City Center) in Ica

Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $44,000)

Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) in Ica

Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $32,000)

1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) in Ica

Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $60,000)

1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) in Ica

Approx. $750 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $45,000)

2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) in Ica

Approx. $950 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $76,000)

2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) in Ica

Approx. $700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $56,000)

Residence-based (Residents pay on worldwide income)

18% (IGV - Impuesto General a las Ventas)

Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules in Ica

Yes, applies to passive income from tax havens

Annual 'Impuesto Predial' between 0.2% and 1% of value

Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads in Ica

No specific nomad visa tax breaks yet; standard 183-day residency rule applies

Grocery Delivery in Ica

Tottus (via Fazil app) or Plaza Vea

Bar/Nightlife Area in Ica

Malecon de Huacachina (Huacafuckingchina, The Pub)

D'Cura Craft Beer (Tasting room in the city center)

El Catador (Traditional winery and tasting hall)

Street Food Stalls in Ica

Anticuchos stalls along Plaza de Armas (evenings)

Popular International Cuisine in Ica

8 Cepas (High-end fusion/Italian)

Best Local Dish to Try in Ica

Carapulcra con Sopa Seca (Spiced potato stew with noodles)

Vegan/Vegetarian Options in Ica

Garden Food (Calle Lima 424) - Vegan menu del día approx. 18 PEN

Best Dessert Spots in Ica

Tejas Rosalía (Traditional Manjar Blanco sweets and Chocotejas)

Affordable Shopping Spots in Ica

Mercado Central de Ica (Calle Moquegua)

E-commerce/Online Store in Ica

Mercado Libre Peru, Falabella.com.pe

Must-See Landmarks in Ica

Huacachina Sand Dunes and the Lagoon

Museums & Art Venues in Ica

Regional Museum of Ica (Museo Regional Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins)

Religious Sites in Ica

Catedral de Ica (Plaza de Armas)

Festival Internacional de la Vendimia (Grape Harvest Festival) in March

Feria Escolar markets (seasonal)

Peña Don Amador (Afro-Peruvian live music)

Murals near the Plaza de Armas and Calle Salaverry

Cooking Classes in Ica

Pisco Sour workshops at Bodega Tacama

Escuela Superior de Formación Artística Sérvulo Gutiérrez

Historic Buildings in Ica

Casona del Marqués de Torre Hermosa

Local Heritage in Ica

Afro-Peruvian culture in the nearby Chincha/El Carmen district

Nearby Nature Escapes in Ica

Canyon of the Lost (Cañón de los Perdidos) - Ocucaje Desert

National Parks Nearby in Ica

Paracas National Reserve (75km away)

Cycling/Walking Paths in Ica

Laguna de Orovilca desert trail

Scenic Viewpoints in Ica

The top of 'Duna Grande' for sunset

Birdwatching Locations in Ica

Huacachina Lagoon shores and the Ica River basin

Bonfire-Friendly Spots in Ica

Private desert camps arranged via desert buggies

Parcel Delivery Service in Ica

Serpost (Postal service) or Olva Courier

Tech Repair Services in Ica

Ica Tech Center (Calle Lambayeque)

Language Classes in Ica

ICPNA Ica (English/Spanish courses)

Ica Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information

Business

Property Transaction Tax: 3% (Alcabala tax, first 10 UIT exempt)
Studio Purchase Price (City Center): Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $44,000)
Studio Purchase Price (Outside City): Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $32,000)
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center): Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $60,000)
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City): Approx. $750 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $45,000)
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center): Approx. $950 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $76,000)
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City): Approx. $700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $56,000)
Corporate Tax: 29.5% (General Regime)
Dividend Withholding Tax: 5%
Tax System: Residence-based (Residents pay on worldwide income)
Highest Income Tax Bracket: 30% (for income over 45 UIT)
VAT: 18% (IGV - Impuesto General a las Ventas)
Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules: Yes, applies to passive income from tax havens
Property Tax: Annual 'Impuesto Predial' between 0.2% and 1% of value
Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads: No specific nomad visa tax breaks yet; standard 183-day residency rule applies

Food and Drink

Grocery Delivery: Tottus (via Fazil app) or Plaza Vea
Bar/Nightlife Area: Malecon de Huacachina (Huacafuckingchina, The Pub)
Local Brewery: D'Cura Craft Beer (Tasting room in the city center)
Wine Bars: El Catador (Traditional winery and tasting hall)
Street Food Stalls: Anticuchos stalls along Plaza de Armas (evenings)
Popular International Cuisine: 8 Cepas (High-end fusion/Italian)
Best Food Delivery App: PedidosYa
Best Local Dish to Try: Carapulcra con Sopa Seca (Spiced potato stew with noodles)
Vegan/Vegetarian Options: Garden Food (Calle Lima 424) - Vegan menu del día approx. 18 PEN
Best Dessert Spots: Tejas Rosalía (Traditional Manjar Blanco sweets and Chocotejas)
Affordable Shopping Spots: Mercado Central de Ica (Calle Moquegua)
E-commerce/Online Store: Mercado Libre Peru, Falabella.com.pe

Culture and Attractions

Must-See Landmarks: Huacachina Sand Dunes and the Lagoon
Museums & Art Venues: Regional Museum of Ica (Museo Regional Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins)
Historical Sites: Santuario del Señor de Luren
Religious Sites: Catedral de Ica (Plaza de Armas)
Annual Events: Festival Internacional de la Vendimia (Grape Harvest Festival) in March
Cultural Districts: Luren neighborhood
Theater Venues: Teatro Municipal de Ica
Local Markets: Feria Escolar markets (seasonal)
Music Scene: Peña Don Amador (Afro-Peruvian live music)
Street Art: Murals near the Plaza de Armas and Calle Salaverry
Cooking Classes: Pisco Sour workshops at Bodega Tacama
Art Galleries: Escuela Superior de Formación Artística Sérvulo Gutiérrez
Historic Buildings: Casona del Marqués de Torre Hermosa
Local Heritage: Afro-Peruvian culture in the nearby Chincha/El Carmen district

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Nearby Nature Escapes: Canyon of the Lost (Cañón de los Perdidos) - Ocucaje Desert
National Parks Nearby: Paracas National Reserve (75km away)
Cycling/Walking Paths: Laguna de Orovilca desert trail
Scenic Viewpoints: The top of 'Duna Grande' for sunset
Birdwatching Locations: Huacachina Lagoon shores and the Ica River basin
Bonfire-Friendly Spots: Private desert camps arranged via desert buggies

Other Services and Amenities

Parcel Delivery Service: Serpost (Postal service) or Olva Courier
Tech Repair Services: Ica Tech Center (Calle Lambayeque)
Table Tennis Spots: Club Peruano Japones de Ica
Language Classes: ICPNA Ica (English/Spanish courses)
Libraries & Study Spots: Biblioteca Municipal de Ica
Community Centers: Centro Cultural de la UNSLG
Gaming Lounges: Planet Games Ica
Casino & Gaming Halls: Casino Luxor (Calle Bolivar)

Essentials

City: Ica, Ica Province, Peru
Population: 360,000
Internet Speed: 25-50 Mbps download; Starlink is increasingly common in Huacachina for 200 PEN/month
Currency & Banking: 1 USD ≈ 3.75 PEN (Peruvian Sol). Major ATMs: BCP, BBVA, Interbank
Tap Water: Not drinkable; 2.5L bottled water ≈ 4.00 PEN
Power: 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A and C (Flat and Round pins)
SIM Card: Claro or Movistar; 30-day 10GB prepaid plan ≈ 30 PEN at Plaza del Sol Mall
Banking for Expats: Interbank (GlobalNet) for USD withdrawals; Revolut/Wise accepted at larger retailers
Accommodation: Airbnb in Huacachina or Residencial La Angostura (Hacienda style)
Cashless Friendly: Partial; Cash needed for mototaxis and markets; Yape/Plin apps very popular
Short Term Rentals: Airbnb, Booking.com (approx. $400 - $700 USD/month for 1-bed)
Budget Accommodation: Wild Rover Huacachina or Banana's Adventure (dorm beds from 45 PEN)
Best Area to Stay for Tourists: Huacachina Oasis (Laguna de Huacachina)
Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads: La Angostura (Upscale/Quiet) or City Center near Plaza de Armas

Working and Networking

Best Coworking Space: Selina Huacachina (Co-work access approx. 40 PEN per day)
Best Cafe for Work: Harvest Coffeehouse (Calle Bolivar 444) - Reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets
Networking Events: Ica Business Hub (monthly meetups) or Selina weekly nomad mixers
Social Events for Expats: Huacachina Sunset Sessions (various hostel rooftops)

Transportation

Best Taxi/Ride App: Indriver (Negotiate price) or Cabify
Bike/Scooter Rental: EcoBike Ica (approx. 35 PEN/day)
Best Beach Nearby: Paracas National Reserve / Playa Roja (approx. 1 hour 15 mins away)
Top Regional Airline: LATAM Peru (Flights via Pisco Airport PIO or Lima LIM)
Top International Airline: LATAM, KLM, Iberia (via Lima Jorge Chávez International)
Highway Access: Pan-American Highway (Panamericana Sur/Route 1S)
Main Train/Transit Hub: Cruz del Sur Terminal (Av. Jose Matias Manzanilla)
Public Transport Passes: No formal pass; Mototaxi rides usually 3-7 PEN within city limits
Regional Travel: PeruHop or Oltursa buses to Lima (4 hours) or Nazca (2.5 hours)

Health and Wellness

Best Hospital: Clínica Ica (Calle Bolivar 524) - Private healthcare facility
Yoga & Wellness Centers: Samana Spa & Yoga in Huacachina
Gyms & Fitness Centers: Smart Fit - Plaza del Sol Mall (99 PEN/month)
Laundry Services: Lavanderia Ica (approx. 5 PEN per kilo)

Ica digital nomad guide