Why Travelers Are Flocking To This Latin American Country Breaking All Time Tourism Records

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Take it from me — travelers worldwide are getting this one right.

Heck, just ask our Editor-in-Chief Tyler who just came back from Peru… It’s not just Machu Picchu that’s a huge draw.

That’s right — the trek of a lifetime into otherworldly ruins isn’t the only thing attracting more visitors.

In fact, there were some real doozies in the latest stats showing where travelers are really going.

Then again, I ventured deep into the Amazon during my first Peruvian escapades using the little-known city of Iquitos as my destination of choice — not exactly a household name, right?

The bottom line is Peru continues to pull travelers far beyond Machu Picchu, meaning fairly recent security alerts haven’t scared people off one of the most culturally astounding countries in Latin America that I personally fell in love with from the jump.

According to our sources, the following 4 destinations are where most travelers are heading in Peru right now.

Overall, travelers feel safe here, as shown by our real-time Safety Index tool currently ranking Peru at an 83/100, but be sure to check the latest Travel Alerts & Entry Requirements no matter where you’re off to next.

4) Puno: The Gateway To Titicaca

With a name like Titicaca, I might as well just say “insert joke here”, but the truth is this gorgeous lake is one of the most wondrous bodies of water in South America.

While not as iconic as Machu Picchu, it’s certainly popular enough to be an easy answer to a Jeopardy! question, but most travelers aren’t familiar with Puno itself.

Largely considered the gateway to this phenomenal lake, Puno is seeing a hefty surge in tourism, where adventurers can experience the Uros floating islands, Taquile, Amantaní, and deeply-rooted Andean culture, plus nearby ancient pre-Inca sights like Sillustani if time allows.

3) Tumbes: Discover Peru’s Wild Side

Peru is wild; don’t get me wrong.

But when you see the same familiar faces at cafes every day in Cusco, it loses its sense of mystique.

A place like Tumbes is on the flip side of the spectrum, where it feels truly authentic and undiscovered, aligning with what many travelers are craving nowadays to escape cookie-cutter fluff.

Lying on the Tumbes River, this virtually unheard-of town, brimming with wildlife and mangroves, leads to some of the country’s most gorgeous scenery and untouched tropical beaches.

It’s not just Tumbes either — coastal neighbors like Puerto Pizarro, Punta Sal, and Mancora are equally beautiful and blissful away from the usual hotspots.

That’s why more travelers are scoping out Peru’s hidden gems, such as Tumbes, and giving the region’s economy a boost for beachfront stays and wilderness excursions.

2) Tacna: Peru’s Underrated Border City

Perhaps the most surprising in the latest data is Tacna, a town that would seem to be on no one’s radar but surging in popularity nonetheless.

The truth is a lot of visitors are simply foot traffic from neighboring Chile and Bolivia, but that’s not to say it’s just a place to take advantage of exchange rates — it’s a bonafide getaway chock-full of timeless plazas, bustling markets, and authentic eats.

Some might say it’s the “St. Louis of Peru,” thanks to its towering arch, while others use Tacna as a gateway to Valle Viejo Miculla for a worthwhile mix of rugged scenery, wine country, and thermal springs

Any way you tackle Tacna, there’s no denying it’s one of Peru’s up-and-coming hotspots and not one you have to ride a rickety bus across borders — you can fly in from Lima via Sky or LATAM.

1) Lima: A Must-Visit For Every Peruvian Vacation

To no surprise, Lima is seeing the biggest spike in tourism.

Whether you’re visiting the aforementioned Tacna or following the usual crowds to Cusco or even the whitewashed gem of Arequipa, Lima is both a springboard and main base.

Like me, I didn’t treat Peru as a one-trick pony; I made ample time to explore the vibrant capital before going full Discovery Channel into the Amazon.

Though it’s well known, Lima is a highly underrated city on its own, boasting sky-high bluffs along its gorgeous coastline, particularly in Miraflores and Barranco.

With numerous luxury hotels that won’t break the bank — especially Hilton Lima Miraflores where I stayed — I thought Mexico was the G.O.A.T. of hospitality until I spent a week traversing Peru.

They’re incredibly welcoming.

Certain pockets of the city feel like Miami, others Mexico, and of course there’s still plenty that feels unmistakably Peruvian.

Better yet, I felt safer here than in some American cities (you can guess which ones).

Sam Sears

Sam, our Senior Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 44 countries and written over 1500 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.