The lake's curative powers attract bathers from all over Peru, while adrenalin junkies sandboard the surrounding dunes

The oasis of Huacachina lies 5km from the city of  Ica and is set around a lovely palm-fringed lake surrounded by towering sand dunes. 

Huacachina is both an established gringo hangout and a summer resort town that is popular with wealthy Peruvians who come to bathe in the lake's medicinal sulphur waters. 

Legend has it the lake was created when a princess disrobed to take a bath, took a look in her mirror and then realised she was being watched by a young hunter. Mortified at being seen by this peeping Tom, the princess dropped her mirror, which transformed into the lagoon.  

As well as soaking in the lake's warm waters, many people hire boats to paddle around in. Daredevils go sandboarding on the massive dunes, or take one of the knuckle-whitening dune buggy ride into the hills (accidents are not uncommon).  

While Huacachina is far from overdeveloped, you'll find plenty of upmarket hotels here as well as a glut of excellent restaurants to recharge in.