The cities of Ica and Nazca are found south of Lima, along Peru’s desert coast. Not far outside of Ica, one finds Huacachina Lagoon, surrounded by some of the largest sand dunes in the world. (You can take a taxi there from Ica for about S/5 Peruvian soles).

Its massive sand dunes are attractive to travelers who careen along them in 4-wheel-drive sand buggies or try sandboarding, which is thought to date back to the ancient Egyptians. Sandboarding is similar to snowboarding or surfing, except that it takes place on sand dunes rather than snow-covered mountains or waves. (The main differences in equipment are that sandboards are generally harder than snowboards, waxed to increase speed on the sand, and may or may not have straps for your feet.) It’s a fun sport that can be practiced year-round. Rather than a lift, sandboarders get to the top of the sand dunes by walking or riding a dune buggy.