Huacachina
FAQFrequently asked questions
What is Huacachina and where to find it?
This is a small lake in the middle of the desert in the department of Ica in southwestern Peru, near the city of Ica. A small village by the water - according to the 1999 census, only 115 people lived here.
Why is it called an oasis in the middle of the sand?
Because it is so: sand dunes over a hundred meters high rise around the lake. The lake in the middle of the desert looks so impressive that it was nicknamed the Oasis of America.
What do tourists do here?
Huacachina is a resort town for the residents of Ica, and increasingly for foreigners. The main entertainment is sandboarding on the same hundred-meter dunes, so keep in mind: sand will be everywhere.
Is there any legend about this lake?
Alright. According to legend, the lake was formed from the bath of a princess who was fleeing from a hunter, and the dunes - from her blown mantle. They say that the princess still lives in the water as a mermaid, so bathe politely.
How famous is this place in Peru itself?
Enough to hit the money: Huacachina was depicted on the Peruvian 50-sol banknote.
