This is a statement for Peru's tourism – and Northern Peru is suddenly at the forefront! Peru intends to invest more than 3.5 billion Soles in four major tourism projects. That is more than one billion US dollars. Two of the four projects concern the north of the country: Kuélap and the Noramazónico Axis, as well as the beaches of Piura and Tumbes.
Northern Peru is expected to benefit more strongly from tourism as a result. While Cusco and Machu Picchu have dominated international visitor flows for decades, the government now wants to pour billions into new tourist hubs. For Northern Peru, this could mean a huge boost.
A DOUBLE HIT FOR THE NORTH!
The Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Mincetur for short, has announced four major tourism projects. Two of them lead directly to Northern Peru. With Playas del Norte (Northern Beaches), the beaches of the northern Peruvian Pacific coast are to be further developed for tourism. Kuélap plays a central role in the Noramazónico Axis.
This puts regions more into the spotlight that have hardly appeared on many international trips to Peru so far. Yet Northern Peru has long possessed the prerequisites to position itself as an independent travel region alongside the well-known destinations in the south.
MÁNCORA, PUNTA SAL, ZORRITOS – NOW IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BEACHES!
Sun, Pacific, and kilometers of coastline: Northern Peru possesses a completely different side than the Peru that many vacationers know from classic round trips. Máncora, Vichayito, Los Órganos, Punta Sal, and Zorritos stand for beach vacations, surfing, warm temperatures, and a coastal landscape that has hardly anything in common with the classic Andean routes.
This is exactly the region that is to be developed more strongly with Playas del Norte. This could be particularly important for Piura and Tumbes. The beaches are already there, as are hotels and restaurants. What is still missing in many places are better connections, a stronger tourism infrastructure, and, above all, more international attention.
KUÉLAP IS SET TO BECOME A TOURISM ENGINE!
Things are also happening in the interior of the north. Kuélap is the focus of the planned Noramazónico Axis. The monumental site of the Chachapoya high above the Utcubamba Valley is one of Peru's most spectacular archaeological sites. Nevertheless, the region reaches only a fraction of the international visitor numbers of the well-known destinations around Cusco.
The strategy goes well beyond Kuélap. If infrastructure and transport connections are improved and more visitors come to the region, Chachapoyas, the Utcubamba Valley, and other destinations in Amazonas could also benefit.
Money is already flowing into the region. In July 2026, an additional 16.7 million Soles were made available for tourism and cultural projects in Amazonas. These include projects in Chachapoyas and the tourist corridor of the Utcubamba Valley.
NORTHERN PERU IS CAPABLE OF MUCH MORE!
The north does not only consist of Kuélap and some beautiful beaches. There is Lambayeque with the Royal Tombs of Sipán, La Libertad with Chan Chan, as well as Cajamarca, Chachapoyas, the dry forests, and the coastal landscapes of Piura and Tumbes. In addition, there are numerous archaeological sites that are still relatively little known internationally.
Beach, history, nature, mountains, and gastronomy are sometimes only a few travel stages apart in the north. The problem has often not been the tourist offering itself, but the possibility of connecting these places easily and sensibly.
MORE FLIGHTS! BETTER CONNECTIONS!
This is precisely why another part of the tourism offensive for Northern Peru is particularly interesting: Peru wants to improve its flight connections. The Mesa de Conectividad Aérea (Air Connectivity Table) has been reinstated. Mincetur, the Ministry of Transport, and the private sector are to work together to expand flight connections, enable additional frequencies, and improve airport infrastructure.
For Northern Peru, this is enormously important. A dream beach is of little use to international tourists if the journey is complicated. A spectacular archaeological site will not automatically become a magnet for visitors if travelers have to plan several difficult stages for it. Anyone who wants to strengthen Northern Peru as a tourist destination must therefore also make the journey easier.
BUT THE SOUTH IS ALSO GETTING MILLIONS!
Northern Peru is a particular focus of this offensive, but it is not receiving the investments alone. In total, the program includes four major projects. In addition to Playas del Norte and the Noramazónico Axis, the Colca Canyon and Choquequirao are among the major priorities.
In this way, Peru is focusing on several regions at the same time. The strategy is intended to help broaden the country's tourism offering and develop additional travel destinations alongside the internationally dominant classics.
3.5 BILLION SOLES – NOW THINGS ARE GETTING SERIOUS!
The dimension is enormous: More than 3.5 billion Soles, more than one billion US dollars, and four major tourism projects. With this, Mincetur is not only connecting new infrastructure. Digitalization, security, better services, and transport connections are also to play a role. At the same time, nature tourism, adventure travel, and community-based tourism offerings are to be strengthened.
For Northern Peru in particular, this mix could be decisive. The region does not have to become a second Cusco. It has long possessed its own tourist profile with Pacific beaches, pre-Columbian history, unique landscapes, and a regional culture that differs significantly from the south of Peru.
NOW THE MONEY MUST ACTUALLY REACH THE NORTH!
A billion-dollar announcement alone does not build a road, improve an airport, or bring a single additional tourist to Tumbes or Amazonas. Now it depends on the implementation. It will be decisive which projects start first, how much money actually flows to Piura, Tumbes, and Amazonas, and when travelers on the ground will notice something of the major offensive.
One thing the announcement already makes clear: Northern Peru no longer plays just a supporting role in Peru's tourism plans. With the Playas del Norte and the Noramazónico Axis around Kuélap, two of the four major future projects are located in the north.
If the billions actually result in better connections and a functioning tourist infrastructure, the classic trip to Peru could change significantly. Then, the path for international vacationers might perhaps no longer automatically lead only from Lima to Cusco and Machu Picchu, but in the future much more frequently toward the north.
Diario Oficial El Peruano / Mincetur, September 27, 2026
Ministerio de Comercio Exterior y Turismo (Mincetur)
Diario Oficial El Peruano / Mincetur, Investments in Amazonas, July 24, 2026
