Why travelers are flocking to this Latin American country and breaking all tourism records

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Take it from me – travelers around the world understand this well.

Just ask our editor-in-chief Tyler, who just returned from Peru… It’s not just Machu Picchu that has such a big draw.

That’s right: the trek of a lifetime to otherworldly ruins isn’t the only thing drawing more visitors.

In fact, there were some real doozies in the last one statistics show where travelers are Real to go.

On the other hand, my first Peruvian escapades saw me venturing deep into the Amazon, using the little-known city of Iquitos as my destination of choice – not exactly a household name, right?

The bottom line is this Peru continues to draw travelers far beyond Machu Picchumeaning that fairly recent safety warnings haven’t deterred people from one of the most culturally amazing countries in Latin America that I personally fell in love with from the jump.

According to our sources, the following four destinations where most travelers are currently heading are in Peru.

In general, travelers feel safe here, as shown by our real time Safety index tool currently ranks Peru at an 83/100, but be sure to check the latest travel warnings and entry requirements wherever you go.

4) Puno: the gateway to Titicaca

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

While not as iconic as Machu Picchu, it is certainly popular enough to be an easy answer to a question Danger! Ask, but most travelers are not familiar with Puno itself.

Largely considered the gateway to this phenomenal lake, Puno is experiencing a boom in tourism, where adventure seekers can experience the floating islands of Uros, Taquile, Amantaní and the deep-rooted Andean culture, plus nearby ancient pre-Inca sights such as Sillustani if time permits.

3) Tumbes: discover the wild side of Peru

Peru is wild; don’t get me wrong.

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

A place like Tumbes is on the other end of the spectrum, where it really feels authentic and undiscoveredin line with what many travelers are craving these days to escape cookie-cutter fluff.

Located on the Tumbes River, this virtually unheard of city, packed with wildlife and mangroves, leads to some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes and pristine tropical beaches.

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

That’s why more and more travelers are exploring Peru’s hidden gems like Tumbes, boosting the region’s economy for beachside stays and wilderness excursions.

2) Tacna: Peru’s underrated border town

Perhaps the most surprising from the latest data is Tacna, a city that doesn’t seem to be on anyone’s radar, but is still growing in popularity.

The truth is that many visitors are merely pedestrians from neighboring Chile and Bolivia, but that doesn’t mean it’s just a place to take advantage of the exchange rates; it’s a bona fide getaway chock-full timeless squares, bustling markets and authentic food.

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 valuable mix of rugged landscape, wine country and thermal springs

However you approach Tacna, there’s no denying that it’s one of Peru’s emerging hotspots and not one where you have to drive across the border on a rickety bus – you can fly in from Lima via Sky or LATAM.

1) Lima: a must-visit for any Peruvian vacation

It’s no surprise that Lima sees the biggest spike in tourism.

Whether you visit the aforementioned Tacna or follow the usual crowds to Cusco or even the whitewashed gem of Arequipa, Lima is both a springboard and a base.

Like me, I didn’t treat Peru like a one-trick pony; I made plenty of time to explore the vibrant capital before going all out Discovery Channel into the Amazon.

Although it is well known, Lima is a very underrated city in itself, with towering cliffs along the beautiful coastline, especially 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 GOAT of hospitality until I spent a week traveling through Peru.

They are incredibly hospitable.

Certain parts of the city feel like Miami, others like Mexico, and of course there are still plenty that feel unmistakably Peruvian.

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

Sam Sears

Sam, our Senior Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego, has visited 44 countries and written more than 1,500 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.