Without a doubt, the ancient and mystical country of Peru has some fascinating places that I'd love to visit — but this desert town definitely takes the cake!
Nestled in the sandy dunes of a barren desert in one of the driest climates in the world, the little town of Huacachina may seem like a hallucination at first, but look again and you'll see that it's very, very real!
Home to less than 100 residents, this tiny town is built around the only lake found for miles. Within the town are shops, hotels, homes, and a library. It seems hard to believe such a lush paradise can be found in the arid sands of Peru.
Tourists now come from all around the world to see this mirage-like town, and some come with snowboards or sleds in hand — to ride down the sand dunes! If you're interested in what that might look like, be sure to watch the video at the end.
Please SHARE if you'd like to visit this amazing oasis!
The Sechura Desert of Peru has one of the driest climates in the whole world, but in the heart of this arid desert, snugly protected by the towering sand dunes, is a watery paradise.
This tiny, real-life desert oasis is home to only 96 residents. Most are Incan descendants who make their living by accommodating guests visiting to sail down the slopes on sandboards, or who have just come to see the beautiful sunset.
In the beautiful desert nightscape, the mystical town glows like a fistful of gems. Stumble upon this by accident, and you'd probably assume you were hallucinating.
Local legend says the oasis was formed by a beautiful princess thousands of years ago. The princess was bathing in the lagoon, when a hunter happened upon the spot and tried to capture her.
Click to the next page to find out what legends say the sand dunes are made out of! What a beautiful image…
She fled, but her bathing pool was left behind as the oasis, and the folds of her dress turned into the surrounding sand dunes. Today, it is said that she still swims the lagoon as a mermaid.
Because of this, the lake is said to have magical healing properties. In the 1940s, wealthy Peruvians flocked to the oasis to swim in these medicinal waters.
The place is so revered in Peru that it is featured on the back of their currency and it's now a national cultural heritage spot.
Little is actually known of ancient Peruvian history, as their ancestors — the Inca people — completely lacked any written language. They communicated through quipus ("talking knots" made from llama hair), ceramics, and an oral language called Q
This oasis has a well-known — and well-deserved — nickname. Click to the next page to find out what it is!
This Incan site is now one of the last remaining oases in North or South America. As such, it's called the "Oasis of America."
No matter how it got here or its secret history, this oasis is a beautiful spectacle of nature and something to be protected and preserved. In order to maintain this natural lake, the residents of Huacachina must now pump water in from a nearby well.
The lake itself is no longer able to replenish itself naturally. Municipal authorities are looking for programs to continually replenish the body of water. Without the water, the surrounding vegetation will dry up as well.
So be sure to add this to your "definitely must see" list, as this gorgeous desert paradise might not be here forever.
Be sure to watch the video on the next page, and please SHARE if you enjoyed learning about this amazing location!
