Before the pandemic, Peru received around 4 million visitors from all over the world in 2019. This marked a hallmark for our country considering Peru is an emerging tourism hub and expects to consolidate between the most visited countries in the world.
However, the Pandemic hindered Peru’s rapid advancement, and in the following years, the tourism business in Peru lost its momentum. In 2024, things have changed for the better, and thanks to the pandemic being over, people can normally travel.
Thanks to its natural attractions, spots of interest, and delicious food, Peru is currently consolidating as an essential place to travel and is becoming the favorite spot for many travelers. Consequently, Viagens Machu Picchu created a list of only seven must-see locations in our culturally and historically rich country.
Paracas
Paracas is a small village located 260 kilometers from the capital of Peru, Lima. It is in a very privileged geographical position for having both desert and beach landscapes.
Because it is bathed in the cold seas of the Pacific, it has outstanding biological reserves such as the Paracas National Reserve, a beautiful peninsula that merges desert and beautiful beaches. We have as well the Ballestas Islands, which are home to a diverse range of marine life and bird species.
And if you want to know a real oasis, Paracas offers the Oasis of Huacachina, an exotic place, amidst the desert dunes that, from afar, seems more like a mirage for such beauty.
With a lake in the center, its surroundings have hotels, shops, and restaurants for tourists who want to enjoy the local tranquility. It is still possible to take boat rides or pedal boats on the green water lake.
Huaraz
Huaraz, which is in the province of Ancash, is one of the cities that demonstrates how the Andean mountain range in South America works. The most majestic of these are found in the Huascaran National Park, which is in “la Cordillera Blanca,” or the white mountains range.
Trekkers will love this park for its breathtaking scenery, yet it’s a good idea to get ready before beginning the trail because of the area’s likelihood of altitude sickness.
There is also one of the most gorgeous lakes; given the background and the turquoise waters, it is simple to see why this area of breathtaking scenery is known as “Peruvian Switzerland”.
Arequipa
Arequipa is a city rich in ancient sites and finely designed structures, while its neighbors of volcanoes enhance the beauty of the surrounding landscapes. It is referred to as the “White City” because most of its buildings are constructed from “sillar”, a white volcanic stone that provides the city a radiant appearance.
Arequipa’s Main Square is a classy, elaborate, tree-lined square. In front of it stands the great Cathedral, which is likewise constructed of sillar and has twelve exquisitely shaped marble columns that symbolize the twelve apostles of Jesus.
Other highly intriguing religious structures in Arequipa are the Society of Jesus, whose façade is adorned with Peruvian flora and fauna patterns, and the Santa Catalina Monastery, a massive complex of mixed architecture between Spanish art from the colonial period and indigenous art.
Iquitos
Iquitos, the largest city in Peru and situated in the Amazon rainforest, is a location that is hard to forget. There are only two ways to get there: by plane and by river. Land travel is not an option.
All the same, a lot of people choose this location over others, particularly for family vacations and honeymoons. This is likely because there are eco-friendly travel options available, such as itineraries that cross the Amazon River and provide interactions with the local people and wildlife.
There are also some incredible options for those who enjoy animals; don’t pass up the opportunity to interact with nature, participate in events like swimming with pink dolphins, sample food from the neighborhood, and more! The money invested will aid in the preservation of these cultural legacies.
Lima
Lima is the county’s capital and the first place visitors have to pass to reach any other location in Peru. Although it could be overlooked by many visitors, we recommend making time in your schedule to explore it. For those who like to see outstanding colonial architecture, its Historic Center and Plaza de Armas are appealing.
One of the most famous neighborhoods in the city is Miraflores, which is home to some of the greatest restaurants, hotels, and parks in the city. Beautiful parks like “Parque Kennedy” (Miraflores Central Park) and “Parque del Amor” (Love’s Park) are also accessible, as are the ruins of Huaca Pucllana, an impressive 25-meter-tall pyramid located in the center of the city.
Although the Barranco district is home to numerous hotels and eateries, its main draws are the nightlife venues that feature live music and traditional Peruvian dances. It’s worth noting that Lima is known as the foodie hub of Latin America.
Cusco
Cusco is the capital of the Inca Empire and is also included as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Highly historical guard posts that depict this civilization’s whole history are truly amazing in this nation. There are two types of tourist attractions: those located within the city and those located at the ancient ruins outside.
It is impossible to skip any of the city’s historically and religiously significant structures, such as the Main Cathedral, which contains twelve chapels that combine Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance architectural elements. There are other ancient religious structures that you can see, such as Sacsayhuaman, which is encircled by a polished stone wall, and the Qoricancha, which is formed entirely of embedded stones.
The archaeological sites at Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Moray, Qenqo, Tambomachay, and other open-air museums are the most distant attractions in the Sacred Valley since they reveal even more about the Inca culture. They are incredibly vibrant and beautiful locations.
Machu Picchu
The Inca ruins of Machu Picchu are the main attraction of Peru. This location, which has been extremely well maintained, draws in the invigorating mystery and beauty that these lands are known for. Perched at 2,400 meters, it offers a breathtaking vantage point for introspection. It is striking since it is a stone-only city that is wonderfully situated atop the renowned Andes Mountains.
The two main Inca temples in Machu Picchu are the Temple of the Sun, honoring the Sun as the supreme deity, and the Temple of the Condor, honoring this enormous bird that serves as a metaphor for the gods of the sky and draws precipitation. In addition, there is the impressively cleverly constructed Temple of the Moon and the Intihuatana.
The Manuel Chávez Ballon Museum, also called the Machu Picchu Museum, is located at the citadel’s entrance and offers several exposed artifacts that narrate the Incas’ and the ancient mountain’s story. These are authentic Incan artifacts, ranging from tools and jewelry to mummies.
Along with these locations, some places in Peru you should not miss are the Colca Canyon, which is even deeper than the Grand Canyon in the US; Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world; Puerto Maldonado, home of those lush Amazon jungles; and the Nazca lines, which scientists are still uncertain about.
Viagens Machu Picchu cares about providing you with high-quality services and a staff that is always available to help you in any circumstance. If you’re curious, get in touch with us to learn more about our packages to many other Peruvian locations. We offer tailor-made trips, so you can choose the one that fits best with you!
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