Huacachina Is a Stunning Oasis Village in the Middle of the Desert

Back in the 1940s, the town was a popular destination for wealthy people from Lima, Peru — which is about five hours south of Huacachina. Some people even visited the village because they believed the waters had healing powers. As a result, hotels and boardwalks were built to accommodate the tourists.

The lagoon itself is surrounded by dunes, palm trees, and looks very similar to the oases found in the Sahara Desert in Africa.

It's also a popular spot for visitors to rent a paddle boats to take a serene spin around the water on a hot afternoon.

And the popular hotels in town have also created their own watering holes in the form of pools — and, yes, many serve fruity drinks with little umbrellas too.

Despite being nearly abandoned in the 1950s (for reasons that are still unclear), the town resurfaced in popularity during the 1990s — but this time people visited for the extreme sports the sand dunes had to offer.

The dunes stretch several hundred feet high and are practically made for sand boarding or dune buggy rides. But there are also a number of wineries, museums, and other tourist attractions nearby if that's more your speed.

Either way, the most spectacular thing about Huacachina is without a doubt the view of the village from the dunes. Even at night the town looks like something out of a movie — or your imagination.

[via Business Insider