Peru Tourism Statistics

Page last updated: 30 May 2025

Peru is a captivating destination known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and world-famous attractions like Machu Picchu, drawing millions of tourists each year.

Overview

How many tourists visit Peru each year?

Around 3 to 5 million international visitors travel to Peru each year.¹

In 2024, 3.26 million international visitors traveled to Peru, marking a 29.37% increase from the previous year (2023), yet it remained significantly below the peak of 5.28 million visitors in 2019.

In 2019, Peru welcomed 5.27 million international visitors, marking the highest recorded number of visitors.

When the pandemic began in 2020, this number dropped by 78% to 1.1 million visits.

By 2021, Peru experienced a further decrease of 63%, with 444,000 international tourists.

Inbound tourism rose to 2.2 million visitors in 2022 and 2.3 million in 2023. However, this was still 52% less than the peak year of 2019.

How many people visited Peru in 2025?

In the first quarter of 2025, 795,967 tourists arrived in Peru, a 3.6% increase from the same period, pushing the sector’s recovery to 72.2% of pre-pandemic levels.

Peru is set to receive around 3.6 million international tourists in 2025, following a 29.37% surge in 2024 that brought in 3.26 million visitors.

How many people visited Peru in 2024?

In 2024, Peru welcomed a total of 3.26 million international visitors, marking a 29.37% increase from the 2.52 million recorded in 2023. However, this remains 38.26% below the pre-pandemic peak of 5.28 million visitors in 2019.

How much do tourists spend in Peru every year?

international visitors spent $3.5 billion during trips to Peru in 2024.²

Inbound tourist expenditure in Peru generated $5.3 billion in 2019.

This number decreased to $1 billion in 2020 due to coronavirus travel restrictions. It increased by 4% in 2021 to $1.04 billion.

2022 marked a recovery year in terms of tourist spending, which amounted to $2.9 billion.³

International tourist expenditure continued to increase in 2024 with $3.5 billion. However, this was still 34% less than 2019.

How much does Peru earn from tourism?

In 2024, $3.5 billion has been generated by international spending in Peru. This was a 17% drop from the $21 billion in 2019.

How much does it cost to visit Peru?

The average expenditure per tourist visiting Peru is estimated at approximately $983 USD in 2024. This amount covers a range of travel expenses, including accommodation, meals, transportation, and tourism-related activities.

Which countries visited Peru the most in 2024?

In 2024, the main sources of foreign tourists to Peru were Chile, the United States, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, and Colombia.

Chile was the top contributor, sending an approximately 700,000 visitors, which represented 21.5% of the total.

The United States followed with 604,000 tourists (18.6%).

Ecuador accounted for 291,000 visitors (8.9%), while Bolivia and Brazil contributed 189,000 (5.8%) and 185,000 (5.7%) respectively.

Colombia ranked sixth with 170,000 visitors (5.2%).

Economic Impact – Peru Tourism Statistics

In 2024, Peru’s travel and tourism industry is projected to generate approximately USD 20 billion, marking a 10% increase over 2023. This contribution represents a substantial portion of the nation’s total economic output.

Employment: The sector is expected to support around 1.07 million jobs, accounting for 6% of total employment in Peru. This reflects the industry’s pivotal role in job creation and economic stability.

What are the peak tourist months in Peru?

The busiest months are typically June to October, when the weather is dry, ideal for Machu Picchu hikes and big cultural events.

July led the way with 308,427 visitors in 2024, thanks to the dry season and Independence Day celebrations.

August wasn’t far behind with 303,502 arrivals, driven by perfect trekking weather and the Virgen de la Asunción festival.

June, September, and October each saw over 271,000 visitors, with October boosted by the famous Lord of Miracles procession.

December also stood out with 280,542 tourists, as people arrived for Christmas and New Year holidays.

When is the best time to visit Peru?

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.

How popular is Peru as a tourist destination?

Peru was honoured with four prestigious awards at the World Travel Awards (WTA) 2024. The country was recognized in the following global rankings:⁴

World’s Leading Culinary Destination (12th time)

World’s Leading Cultural Destination

World’s Leading Tourist Attraction: Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu was named South America’s Leading Tourist Attraction for the seventh time, in 2024 reaffirming its position as a top attraction in the region.

Peru Travel Statistics – International & Domestic Tourism

2024 marked Peru’s recovery year with tourism figures matching the trend of both domestic (43.50 million) and international tourists (3.26 million).

Pre-Pandemic Period (2012-2019): Peru experienced steady growth in both international and domestic visitors, peaking in 2019 with 74.2 million total visitors.

Pandemic Impact (2020-2021): The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted tourism, causing a 31% drop in visitor numbers in both segments.

Despite the pandemic, domestic tourism showed more resilience compared to international tourism, reflecting reliance on local travel during global disruptions.

What are Peru’s top tourist attractions?

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

Machu Picchu: The most iconic site in Peru, this Inca archaeological complex draws thousands of visitors every day, 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 wells, 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.