Tourism in Peru at a glance
Peru is one of the most important travel destinations in South America. The country combines the Andes, the Amazon, the Pacific coast, colonial cities, archaeological sites, vibrant culture, and world-renowned cuisine.
The previous draft was based on figures from 2023. While that development was important, more recent data is now available. International tourism continued to grow in 2024, and the figures for 2025 also indicate further recovery.
Peru has not yet fully returned to pre-pandemic levels in all areas. However, the direction is clear: the country is once again being visited more heavily at an international level.
What the current figures show
According to the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur), about 29 percent more international tourists visited Peru in 2024 than in 2023. This corresponds to an additional influx of more than 700,000 travelers.
For the period from January to November 2025, Mincetur reported more than 3.8 million international visitors. This represents further growth compared to the same period the previous year and a recovery to nearly 79 percent of 2019 levels.
These figures show that Peru is regaining international momentum. At the same time, returning fully to pre-pandemic levels remains a work in progress.
Why Peru remains attractive to travelers
Peru has an advantage that cannot be easily copied: enormous diversity in a relatively compact space. Those traveling can combine desert, high mountains, rainforest, big cities, colonial architecture, and Inca history.
Machu Picchu remains the most famous destination. However, Peru is more than just a photo in the morning mist. Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, Lake Titicaca, the north coast, and the Amazon are all part of the overall tourist picture.
For many travelers, this exact blend is the reason to see Peru not just as a travel destination, but as a travel experience.
Sights in Peru
All sightsYou can find more information via "All sights".
Machu Picchu remains a key draw
Machu Picchu continues to be the strongest international symbol for travel to Peru. The site combines Inca history, mountain scenery, and a high degree of recognition.
Especially with rising visitor numbers, good planning is important. Tickets, time slots, routes, and transport should be checked well in advance.
The success of Machu Picchu is good for tourism, but it also brings responsibility. Protection, visitor management, and local value creation go hand in hand.
Culinary arts as a reason to travel
Peruvian cuisine has long since become a reason to travel in its own right. Ceviche, Lomo Saltado, Ají de Gallina, Anticuchos, Pisco Sour, Chicha Morada, and the diversity of regional ingredients make Peru a culinary powerhouse.
Lima, in particular, benefits from this image. The capital is not just a point of arrival, but also a gastronomic center.
Anyone wanting to truly experience Peru should take markets, small restaurants, and regional kitchens just as seriously as well-known top-tier restaurants.
Where do the international visitors come from?
For Peru, neighboring countries and nearby markets remain particularly important. Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, and Colombia play a strong role. From North America, the United States is one of the most significant source markets.
Europe also remains relevant but lags behind South America and North America in terms of numbers. This is logical for Peru: proximity, flight connections, travel costs, and family ties strongly influence who travels.
The numbers also show that Peru is not just a long-haul destination for Europeans. A large portion of tourism is regionally driven.
Latest news from Peru
All newsYou can find more information via "All news".
Lima as a gateway
Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima is the main gateway for international travelers. A large portion of visitors enter the country through this airport.
This makes Lima more than just a transit point. Those who treat the capital only as a necessary stopover miss out on a lot: the historic center, the coast, museums, gastronomy, and neighborhoods like Miraflores and Barranco.
At the same time, the airport's strong role shows how dependent international tourism is on good air transport connections.
Domestic tourism remains important
In addition to international travel, domestic tourism is very important for Peru. Many Peruvians travel within the country for family, holidays, festivals, beaches, Andean regions, or famous sights.
Domestic tourism stabilizes many regions, especially when international markets fluctuate. Hotels, restaurants, transport providers, and local tourism businesses benefit from this.
For travelers from abroad, this means that things can get very crowded on holidays, long weekends, and vacation periods, even outside the classic international season.
Tourism and the economy
Tourism creates income in many areas: accommodation, gastronomy, transport, guided tours, crafts, cultural activities, entrance fees, and local services.
Especially in regions with less industry, tourism can be an important economic engine. This is particularly true where culture, nature, and local identity are closely intertwined.
But growth alone is not enough. It is crucial that revenues do not just stay in a few large structures, but also benefit communities, small businesses, and local providers.
Events in Peru
To the calendarYou can find more information via "To the calendar".
Sustainability and visitor management
More tourism means more opportunities, but also more pressure. Popular places need good organization, clear rules, and protective measures.
This particularly concerns Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, protected areas, coastal regions, and places with sensitive infrastructure. Visitor numbers, waste, water consumption, traffic, and cultural sensitivity must be taken into account.
Sustainable tourism sometimes sounds like a buzzword. In Peru, it is quite concrete: those who want to protect places must plan trips better and take local rules seriously.
What travelers should keep in mind now
Anyone planning a trip to Peru should not just be guided by beautiful pictures. Route, altitude, season, transport, and budget should all match up.
Good preparation is especially worthwhile for trips to Cusco, Machu Picchu, Arequipa, Puno, or the Amazon. Peru is large, and distances in the Andes tend to feel greater than they look on the map.
Helpful information can be found regarding transport in Peru, travel costs in Peru, and safety in Peru.
These pages help with planning and fit well with tourism, culture, cuisine, and travel preparation.
Frequently asked questions about tourism in Peru
Is tourism in Peru recovering?
Yes. After the pandemic-related slumps, international visitor numbers are rising significantly again. In 2024, inbound tourism grew by 29 percent compared to 2023.
How many international visitors came to Peru in 2025?
Between January and November 2025, Mincetur reported more than 3.8 million international visitors.
Which place is particularly important for tourism in Peru?
Machu Picchu remains Peru's most famous international symbol. Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, and Lake Titicaca are also important travel destinations.
Why is Lima important for tourism?
Lima is the most important international point of entry, a gastronomic center, and a culturally significant capital.
Which countries are important source markets?
Chile, USA, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, and Colombia are among the important source markets for international visitors.
What should travelers to Peru keep in mind?
Route, altitude, weather, transport, tickets, and budget should be well-planned. Peru is versatile, but not always an easy "quick" travel destination.
Mincetur – Reports on the growth of inbound tourism in 2024
Mincetur – Report on international visitors from January to November 2025
Mincetur – Barómetro de Turismo Receptivo y Emisivo 2024
Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones – Data on international arrivals
PromPerú – Information on destinations, culture, and tourism in Peru
Academic literature and tourist information on sustainable tourism in Peru
