Did you know the mighty Amazon River starts its epic journey in Peru?
Rising from the Andes near Machu Picchu, it winds over 6,000 km across South America before meeting the Atlantic Ocean!
That’s only a small portion of what makes Peru so special, with the highest navigable lake in the world, pink dolphins, ‘alien skulls’ and three-quarters of the world’s alpaca population also calling this country home!
Excited? So are we, so let’s dive into what makes this South American country so special.
Peru Tourism Industry: Data and Statistics
Let’s begin with some economics!
What percent of Peru’s economy is tourism? Before the pandemic, the tourism industry contributed 3.9% to Peru’s GDP, falling to 1.5% during the pandemic.
Peru’s Travel & Tourism industry is expected to reach US$1.96bn in revenue in 2025, growing to US$2,291.00m in 2029. The biggest revenue earner is the Package Holidays market, showing that people prefer to use tours to travel through Peru.
Where does Peru rank in tourism? Peru was even listed as number six in Conde Nast Traveller’s Top 20 Countries in the World: 2019 Reader’s Choice Awards. National Geographic also listed Peru as one of the best destinations in 2023.
Is there a lot of tourism in Peru? We can answer this question by looking into how many tourists visit Peru each year. Like all countries, the pandemic put a dent in Peru’s tourism industry, but has yet to return to pre-pandemic numbers:
- 2019: 4,371,800
- 2020: 896,500
- 2021: 444,300
- 2022: 2,009,300
- 2023: 2,524,700
Of the 2.5m tourists visiting Peru in 2023, who visits Peru the most? Here’s a snippet of tourism in Peru statistics by country:
- Chile: 593,800
- United States: 490,300
- Ecuador: 239,500
- Colombia: 146,400
- Bolivia: 134,800
What is the number 1 attraction in Peru? Peru is most famous for being home to Machu Picchu! Here’s some Machu Picchu tourism statistics: The site received around 1.5 million tourists each year before the pandemic. In 2022, it saw more than 979,000 and in 2023, about 950,000, so, on par with tourism to the country, it’s yet to receive pre-covid numbers.
Along with the 34,576,665 people living in Peru, you’ll see why Peruvians love their country when you visit, so it’s time to help you build your itinerary!
Top Destinations in Peru: Where Tourists Go
Peru is a vast and diverse country with breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, making it a dream destination for travelers. Once home to the great Inca civilization, tourism in Peru offers an incredible array of experiences that can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Is Peru a popular tourist destination? Most definitely and we’re here to show you why! Here’s a selection of key sites that showcase the essence of Peru:
- Lima: Peru's capital is a vibrant mix of history and modernity. Overlooking the Pacific, it offers coastal views, the charming Malecon promenade and the artsy Barranco neighborhood. Don't miss the Larco Museum and the historic center with colonial architecture.
- Cusco: The gateway to Machu Picchu, Cusco is rich with Inca and Spanish colonial heritage. Visit the Plaza de Armas, Sacsayhuaman fortress and the lively San Pedro Market.
- Machu Picchu: This iconic Inca citadel is a must-see. Accessible by train or via the famous Inca Trail, the ruins provide breathtaking views and a glimpse into ancient engineering.
- Sacred Valley: Located between Cusco and Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley boasts Pisac and Ollantaytambo ruins, the Maras salt ponds and adventure activities like kayaking.
- Huacachina: A desert oasis where you can try sandboarding and dune buggying on the massive surrounding dunes.
- Lake Titicaca: Visit the world's highest navigable lake, explore the unique Uros reed islands and see Taquile’s beautiful textiles.
- Arequipa: Known as the ‘White City,’ Arequipa features colonial architecture and the stunning Santa Catalina Monastery. Nearby, Colca Canyon offers breathtaking hikes and condor sightings.
- Nazca Lines: These mysterious geoglyphs, best viewed by air, are one of Peru’s most enigmatic ancient wonders.
- Huaraz: A haven for trekkers, Huaraz offers challenging hikes to Laguna 69 and the Santa Cruz Trek in the stunning Cordillera Blanca mountain range.
- Trujillo: This coastal city is home to ancient ruins like Chan Chan and the Huaca del Sol, alongside excellent surf spots and colonial mansions.
- Caral: Visit one of the oldest cities in the Americas, a UNESCO World Heritage site with ancient pyramids.
- Máncora: Peru's northern coast offers pristine beaches, surfing and lively nightlife, perfect for relaxation and fun.
- Tarapoto: A jungle town known for waterfalls, lagoons and excellent birdwatching. Ideal for nature lovers.
- Iquitos: In the heart of the Amazon, this city is accessible only by boat or plane, offering river cruises, wildlife and an authentic rainforest experience.
Top Festivals in Peru: Cultural Events You Cannot Miss
Peru is known for its rich cultural heritage, with thousands of festivals happening throughout the year. The country celebrates thousands of cultural events, blending pre-Hispanic traditions, Spanish influence and indigenous customs.
Here are some of Peru's most iconic festivals to book your trip around:
- La Fiesta Candelaria (February, Puno): A vibrant two-week celebration on Lake Titicaca, honoring the Virgin of Candelaria, blending Catholic and Andean traditions. UNESCO recognized it as a Cultural Heritage event, attracting visitors for its traditional music, costumes and dancing.
- Carnaval de Cajamarca (Pre-Lent, Cajamarca): A lively carnival featuring parades, paint fights and dance troupes, attracting 60,000 visitors. The festival is a mix of Spanish and indigenous influences, making it one of Peru’s most exciting celebrations.
- Inti Raymi (June 24, Cusco): Known as the Festival of the Sun, this Incan winter solstice celebration honors the Sun God and Pachamama (Mother Earth). Thousands gather in Cusco for parades and traditional rituals, making it a significant cultural event.
- Virgen del Carmen Festival (July, Paucartambo): This centuries-old festival honors the Virgin of Carmen with music, dancing and street festivities. Attracting both locals and tourists, the celebration lasts day and night, offering a joyful mix of tradition and community spirit.
- Mistura Food Festival (September, Lima): Peru’s largest food festival celebrates the country’s diverse cuisine. Up to 300,000 food lovers attend this 10-day event to sample dishes like ceviche and tamales and experience culinary competitions and live music.
Peruvian Cuisine: A Taste of the Local Food Scene
Peru’s cuisine blends indigenous, Spanish, African and Asian influences, creating a diverse and flavorful culinary experience. It’s known for bold, balanced flavors — hot and cold, acidic and starchy, all on the same plate.
Signature Dishes:
- Ceviche: Peru’s national dish, made with fresh sea bass marinated in lime juice and hot chiles, served with corn and sweet potatoes.
- Lomo Saltado: Stir-fried beef with onions, tomatoes and spices, combining Chinese and Peruvian flavors.
- Papas a la Huancaina: Sliced potatoes topped with a spicy cheese sauce made from queso fresco and aji amarillo.
- Aji de Gallina: Shredded chicken in a creamy, spicy sauce made with aji amarillo and walnuts.
- Cuy (Guinea Pig): A traditional Andean dish, often roasted and served with potatoes.
- Causa: A layered potato casserole with tuna, avocado and hard-boiled eggs.
- Rocoto Relleno: Spicy rocoto peppers stuffed with beef and cheese, baked in an egg sauce.
- Juane: A dish from the Amazon made with yellow rice, chicken, boiled eggs and black olives, all wrapped in banana leaves and boiled in a clay pot.
Traditional Drinks and Sweets
- Pisco Sour: Peru’s national cocktail, made with grape liquor and lime.
- Inca Kola: A bright yellow soda with a bubblegum flavor, beloved in Peru.
- Emoliente: A popular street drink made from a blend of local herbs with medicinal properties, including barley, horsetail, cat’s claw and lime juice.
- Tres Leches Cake: A sponge cake soaked in three types of milk, topped with whipped cream.
- Picarones: Doughnuts made from sweet potato and squash, served with spiced syrup.
- King Kong: Large, cookie-like desserts made with flour, butter and sugar, and filled with manjar blanco (a type of dulce de leche), nuts and sometimes dried fruits, topped with powdered sugar.
Best Time to Visit Peru: Seasonal Highlights
Peru’s geography, from the Andes Mountains to tropical lowlands, creates a mix of climates. The west is typically hot and dry, while the east is hot and wet. Due to its location near the equator, temperature changes are minimal year-round, with rainfall showing the biggest seasonal shifts.
Lowlands: Hot, Humid and Rainy Year-Round
The Amazon Rainforest thrives in Peru’s eastern lowlands, where high temperatures (around 32°C) and humidity dominate. A brief dry season occurs between June and August, but rain is common. Visit during the dry season for slightly cooler temperatures and lower humidity. Always pack mosquito repellant!
Coastal Peru: Semi-Arid and Foggy
The Pacific coast is cooler due to the Humboldt Current, keeping temperatures in the 20°C. Rain is rare except for occasional showers in the north, especially during El Niño years. Summers are warm (up to 35°C), while winters are cooler and foggy, especially around Lima.
The Andes: Temperate Climate with Seasonal Rainfall
In the Andes, temperatures vary by altitude. Lower areas are warm year-round, while higher elevations can be cool or even snowy. The wet season runs from September to April, with peak rainfall between January and March. Cities like Cusco and Arequipa have mild temperatures but experience significant seasonal rainfall.
How to Travel Around Peru: Tips for Getting Around
Getting around Peru can be challenging due to its rugged terrain, but there are plenty of transportation options to suit all types of travelers.
Here's a detailed overview:
Buses
The most widely used and affordable way to travel between cities. Several private companies, like Peru Hop (hop-on, hop-off), Cruz del Sur (comfortable) and La Linea (for northern cities), offer various services. Buses don’t always depart from a central terminal, so be sure to double-check your ticket details. For budget travelers, colectivos (shared vans) are a cheaper option but require some Spanish knowledge to navigate. They depart once full, offering a more local experience.
Car Rental
Perfect for exploring remote areas and small towns at your own pace. Major companies like Hertz operate in Peru but be prepared for long distances and mountain driving. Renting a car is ideal for exploring scenic routes like the Pan-American Highway. Avoid renting if you plan to stay within major cities like Lima, where traffic is chaotic and unpredictable.
Trains
Train travel is limited but offers some of the most scenic routes in Peru. PeruRail and IncaRail are popular for getting to Machu Picchu from Cusco or Ollantaytambo. Other notable routes include trips to Puno and Arequipa. For adventure seekers, the Ferrocarril Central Andino connects Lima to Huancayo, rising nearly 5,000 meters above sea level. While trains can be slow, the panoramic views make them worthwhile.
Planes
Flying is a fast and increasingly popular option for long distances. Airlines like LATAM Peru, Star Peru, and Peruvian Airlines serve major routes between Lima, Cusco, Arequipa and more remote locations like Iquitos in the Amazon. Domestic flights are convenient for saving time, especially if traveling between distant cities. Keep an eye on flight schedules, as changes can occur last minute.
Boats
If you're exploring the Amazon Basin or Lake Titicaca, boats offer a more adventurous mode of transportation. Lanchas (passenger boats) run from ports like Yurimaguas and Pucallpa to Iquitos, taking 2–4 days to traverse the river. These trips offer a laid-back way to experience the jungle but be prepared with bug spray and a hammock.
Taxis & Combis
For city travel, taxis are widely available, but stick to private taxis for safety, as public taxis may not have meters and can overcharge tourists. Apps like Uber, Cabify and Easy Taxi work well in Lima and are reliable. Combis are an affordable, if crowded, alternative — small buses that follow fixed routes within cities. You pay on board, but the ride can be fast and a bit chaotic.
Essential Travel Tips for Visiting Peru: What You Need to Know
Peru, home to the iconic Machu Picchu, offers incredible adventures, but, like most countries, traveling here comes with its own set of challenges. Here’s a list of essential dos and don'ts to ensure you're well-prepared for your journey through this amazing country.
Dos:
- Stay in 3-star hotels or higher: Some boutique hotels may look fancy but can have issues like poor laundry service and basic breakfast setups.
- Carry tissues, toilet paper and sanitizer: Many public restrooms lack toilet paper and soap, so it's best to be prepared. Also, don't flush toilet paper — it can clog the system.
- Have cash on hand: Not all places, especially in Cusco, accept cards. Bring US dollars, and note that ATM fees can be high (15–25 soles). Having your card details stolen at ATMs can also occur.
- Ask your hotel for help in emergencies: Hotels often have more reliable contacts than tour companies in case of issues like cancellations.
Don'ts:
- Don’t drink tap water: Use bottled water, even for brushing your teeth. Avoid raw fruits, salads and greens washed with tap water.
- Don’t ignore altitude sickness: Prepare with medication, consult your doctor and avoid alcohol if you're only visiting for a short time.
- Don’t leave valuables unattended: Pickpocketing happens. Register your passport at your embassy upon arrival in Lima to avoid bigger issues if it's lost.
- Don’t be offended by the term ‘gringo’: It's usually not meant as an insult but a casual term for foreigners.
The Future of Tourism in Peru: Trends and Developments to Watch
Tourism in Peru was still recovering in 2023 from the effects of COVID-19, with 2.5 million international visitors — much lower than before the pandemic.
In 2020, only 897,000 tourists arrived, down almost 80% from 2019 when there were 4.4 million visitors. By 2021, the number dropped further to 444,000. The U.S. was the top source of tourists, with 177,000 arrivals in 2021, while Chile, usually the biggest market, saw just 37,000 visitors (compared to 1.2 million in 2019).
Domestic tourism also struggled, with 15.6 million tourists in 2021, much lower than the 48.6 million in 2019. Recovery to pre-pandemic levels is expected by 2025 or 2026.
Conclusion
If you’re heading to Peru, you might feel as though you need a hand reaching all the fantastic sites. If so, why not book a private tour guide in Peru? They can help ensure you tailor your trip to suit your interests, ensuring you make some fantastic memories in the equally fantastic country. Happy planning!
