7 Powerful Reasons Why You'll Want to Visit Peru

Peru has been recognized once again on the international stage after winning the title of South America's Leading Destination in the regional edition of the prestigious World Travel Awards (WTA) 2024. This award, considered one of the most important in the tourism industry, highlights the appeal and quality of Peru's tourism offerings.

Furthermore, for the seventh consecutive year since 2018, the country has been distinguished as South America's Leading Cultural Destination, reflecting Peru's constant commitment to protecting and promoting its vast cultural heritage. This recognition is the result of the joint effort of institutions, local communities, and tourism sector players, who work to keep the country's historical, artistic, and gastronomic legacy alive and share it with visitors from all over the world.

With these achievements in mind, this year Peru hopes to maintain its position as a tourism benchmark in the region. Therefore, here are 7 powerful reasons why you will want to visit Peru, a country where history, nature, and culture converge to offer unique experiences.

Feel Machu Picchu

Although many believe that visiting Machu Picchu is a cliché, the truth is that this wonder alone answers the question: Why is Peru famous? The ancient Inca citadel, rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and declared a World Heritage Site in 1983, is among the seven wonders of the modern world. Located at 2,500 meters above sea level, it offers impressive views that invite reflection on the ingenuity and greatness of the Inca civilization.

Accessing this unique place, 130 kilometers from the city of Cusco, involves an adventure in itself. Whether by train or by hiking the Inca Trail, the journey crosses mountains, cloud forests, and ancient stone paths.

Important fact: Machu Picchu was built without mortar, using a perfect interlocking method that has allowed its walls to withstand earthquakes for centuries.

Enjoy its famous gastronomy

Peruvian gastronomy is one of the great reasons that answer the question: Why visit Peru? Chosen on several occasions as the best culinary destination in the world at the World Travel Awards, it stands out for its fusion of flavors, native ingredients, and the influence of various cultures throughout its history. Beyond renowned chefs like Virgilio Martínez, whose restaurant Central is considered one of the best in Latin America, or Gastón Acurio, the true essence of Peruvian cuisine is found in its streets, markets, and small local eateries known as huariques.

In Lima, huariques are an important stop. Among the recommendations are Mi Barrunto, in La Victoria, famous for its seafood; Grimanesa Vargas, in Miraflores, renowned for its anticuchos; and El Chinito, in downtown Lima, recognized for its chicharron sandwiches.

Curiosity: Ceviche, the country's emblematic dish, was declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation in 2004, reaffirming the fundamental role of gastronomy in Peruvian identity.

Visit its cities

The best-known city in the country is Lima, one of the few Latin American capitals bathed by the sea. Its historic center, declared a World Heritage Site, has the majority of historic buildings. The Plaza de Armas is, without a doubt, the epicenter, with the Iglesia Mayor, the municipal building or the Government Palace.

It is worth visiting the districts of Magdalena del Mar and Miraflores and enjoying their green spaces and the fantastic views of the Malecón, or the Parque del Amor, whose benches remind more than one of those of the Park Güell in Barcelona. Before leaving, the Parque de la Reserva awaits us with the Magic Water Circuit, which combines lights, music and image in an original way.

If Lima is the best-known city, Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Inca empire, is the most beautiful, with a Plaza de Armas surrounded by arcaded porticos, white facades and wooden balconies, which make it one of the most impressive corners of colonial America. Staying in one of the palaces of the city, located at 3,400 meters above sea level - in the heart of the Andes - is a highly recommended pleasure.

Arequipa and Trujillo are two cities that also deserve our attention. The first, surrounded by volcanoes and known as the White City, resembles an Andalusian city, with its courtyards and pleasant streets, which reflect the heritage of its Spanish past. The second, the City of Eternal Spring, boasts its religious buildings, its university and the ruins of the pre-Inca city of Chanchán.

Enjoy its natural parks

Did you know that Peru is one of the countries with the greatest biodiversity in the world? The truth is that its three regions – coast, mountains and jungle – enjoy 90 microclimates that provide its territories with spectacular flora and fauna that, in many cases, require special protection to preserve them from external threats.

Among these spaces we find the Huascarán National Park, which with its 16 snow-capped peaks of more than six thousand meters high, is one of the most emblematic protected areas, with numerous glaciers and lagoons. It is located in the department of Ancash, in the south of the country, and is considered the highest tropical mountain range in the world. If you like sports, you will have a great time, trekking, mountain biking, climbing, skiing or fishing.

On the other hand, the Manu Natural Park, located in the departments of Cusco and Madre de Dios, is very frequented by tourists who want to go into the jungle. It has a good ecotourism infrastructure and offers interesting tours to get to know the area and the indigenous communities that live there.

You can't miss Huacachina either, an oasis in the Pacific coastal desert, located five kilometers west of Icla. Its emerald green waters, lush vegetation and beauty have made it a great tourist attraction known as the oasis of America.

Bathing on its beaches

The more than three thousand kilometers of Peruvian coastline allow you to enjoy countless spots to enjoy a swim. Among the best beaches is Punta Sal, one of the most attractive in the north of the country. The warm waters and the climate - it enjoys sunshine all year round - of this small resort an hour and a half from Tumbes make it a paradise. Near Punta Sal, we find Zorritos, a paradisiacal beach with a small fishing village.

Surf lovers have Mancora and Pimentel - the latter about 20 minutes from Chiclayo - two of the beaches where they can enjoy the best waves.

On the coasts of Arequipa, Mejia beach, in a picturesque town, stands out for its great beauty, its vegetation and its numerous birds.

Seeing the Nazca Lines

The Nazca Lines are one of the great archaeological enigmas of recent times. They are geoglyphs drawn on the ground of the desert of the same name between 200 BC and 600 AD. The geometric, animal and human figures, declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity, occupy an area of ??450 km2 and are only visible from the air.

If you travel to the area, it is advisable to see them from a small plane. The flights, which can last between 30 and 90 minutes, have reasonable prices and the experience is priceless.

Buying their crafts

It is not possible to travel to Peru and not return loaded with crafts. And this is, without a doubt, one of the best places on the continent to buy handmade products, since the ancestral culture is very present and traditional techniques are still used.

The chullo, the typical brightly colored hat woven from alpaca and other fibers, has become an icon and one of the favorite garments for travelers who visit Peru. Handmade, artisanal, with eye bags and originating in the Andean region, it allows you to protect yourself from the cold and the wind. Likewise, gloves and ponchos made of alpaca are often bought, which are very soft and light.

Best Tours in Peru

Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Peru, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.

If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.