Peru Tourism Statistics

International visitors spent $5.35 billion during trips to Peru in 2025, a record high³.

• Inbound tourist expenditure in Peru generated $4.7 billion in 2019.³
• This number decreased to $1.0 billion in 2020 due to coronavirus travel restrictions³. It increased by 4% in 2021 to $1.04 billion.
• 2022 marked a recovery year in terms of tourist spending, which amounted to $3.03 billion³.
• International tourist expenditure continued to increase to $3.73 billion in 2023 and $4.86 billion in 2024, overtaking the 2019 level by 3%.⁸ In 2025 it rose a further 10% to $5.35 billion.³

Most foreign tourists come to Peru on vacation (65%), followed by business (17%) and visiting friends and relatives (13%), according to PROMPERÚ's 2025 foreign tourist profile. They stay 10 nights on average and spend $1,232, not counting international flights.⁹

• Who they travel with: 40% travel alone, 24% with friends or relatives without children and 23% as a couple.⁹
• Age: PROMPERÚ's 2025 summary does not give ages. In its 2024 profile, the average foreign tourist was 40 years old, 32% were aged 25 to 34 and 18% were over 54.¹⁰
• Where they go: 79% visit Lima and 37% Cusco, followed by Tacna (17%), Ica (15%), Arequipa (12%) and Puno (10%).⁹
• What they do: 98% try the local food and 96% do cultural activities, while 52% do nature activities and 46% adventure activities.⁹
• How they book: 84% book their trip less than four months ahead, and 67% book each service separately.⁹

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) projected in July 2025 that Peru's travel and tourism sector would contribute more than USD 23 billion to the economy in 2025, 7.8% of GDP and 6.9% more than in 2024. In 2024 the sector contributed USD 21.6 billion, 7.5% of GDP.¹¹

• Employment: WTTC expected the sector to support 1.17 million jobs in 2025, 6.6% of all jobs in Peru and 8.4% more than in 2019, up from 1.11 million in 2024.¹¹
• Visitor spending: Domestic travelers account for most tourism spending. WTTC projected USD 12 billion in domestic spending for 2025, against more than USD 5 billion from international visitors.¹¹

The best time to visit Peru depends on the destination:

• Andes & Machu Picchu: May to October (dry season), ideal for trekking and clear skies, but busiest June to August.
• Coast (Lima, beaches): December to March (summer), hot and sunny, best for swimming and beaches.
• Amazon: April to October (dry season), easier access and more wildlife; November to March is wetter but lush.
• Shoulder Seasons: April to May and September to October offer good weather and fewer crowds.

In 2025, Peru received 3.42 million international tourists, up 4.9% from 3.26 million in 2024.²³ The latest domestic figure is for 2024, when Peruvians made 44.1 million domestic tourism trips, 90.7% of the 48.6 million made in 2019.⁸ Peru's tourism ministry has not yet published a domestic total for 2025.

• Pre-Pandemic Period (2017-2019): Domestic trips rose from 43.5 million in 2017²⁰ to 48.6 million in 2019, while international tourists peaked at 4.42 million in 2018.²¹
• Pandemic Impact (2020-2021): In 2020, domestic trips fell 70.4% to 14.4 million²² and international tourists fell 79.5% to 0.9 million². In 2021, domestic trips edged up to 15.6 million²² while international tourists dropped to 444,000.²³
• Recovery (2022-2025): Domestic tourism has recovered faster. In 2024, domestic trips were at 90.7% of their 2019 level, while international tourists were at 74.5%.⁸

The following are Peru’s top tourist attractions and destinations.

• Machu Picchu: The most iconic site in Peru, this Inca citadel received 1.54 million visitors in 2025, about 4,230 a day²³, making it the country's top tourist attraction.
• Cusco City: Known as the Imperial City, Cusco is a must-visit for those heading to Machu Picchu and is celebrated for its rich history, cosmopolitan vibe, and UNESCO World Heritage status.
• The Sacred Valley: Located near Cusco, this valley is famous for its stunning landscapes, Inca ruins, and vibrant Pisac market, making it one of the most visited tourist spots in Peru.
• Maras: The ancient salt mines in Maras, with around 3,000 salt wells²⁴, offer a unique glimpse into Inca traditions and are a popular attraction in the Sacred Valley.
• Moray: This archaeological site in the Sacred Valley features circular terraces used by the Incas for agricultural research, showcasing different microclimates and offering a fascinating ecotourism experience.