Peru welcomed 1,369,992 international tourists between January and May 2026, a 0.6% increase compared to the same period in 2025, according to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur). This growth represents an additional 7,857 travelers entering the country. Current arrival figures sit at 75.1% of the volume recorded during the same months in 2019, the last full year before the pandemic.
Who is traveling to Peru?
South American residents remain the primary driver of international tourism, accounting for 50.2% of all arrivals, or 688,000 visitors, per Mincetur data. Chile leads as the top source market with 303,000 arrivals, despite a 3.1% decline compared to 2025. The United States follows as the second-largest market, contributing 255,000 visitors and showing a 5% growth rate. Other key contributors include Ecuador (114,000), Bolivia (75,000), Colombia (67,000), and Brazil (66,000). While North America represents 24.1% of the total, European arrivals account for 16.6% of the national inflow.
How are international travel patterns shifting?
The total volume of Peruvian residents traveling abroad increased by 3% compared to 2025, reaching 1,458,960 departures, according to the Viceministry of Tourism. This figure exceeds 2019 levels by 5.5%, indicating a faster recovery in outbound travel than in inbound tourism. Chile remains the preferred destination for Peruvian travelers, with 419,000 departures recorded, followed by the United States (172,000) and Bolivia (140,000).
Which attractions are seeing the most traffic?
The Circuito Mágico del Agua in Lima maintained its position as the most visited attraction through April 2026, drawing 989,000 users. Official data shows that 95.1% of these visitors were domestic, while 4.9% were international tourists. In contrast, natural sites like the Paracas National Reserve show a different demographic split, with foreigners accounting for 6.7% of total visitors, according to government reports.
Outbound tourism from Peru has already surpassed pre-pandemic 2019 levels by 5.5%, while inbound tourism is still working to recover, currently sitting at 75.1% of 2019 volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which country sends the most tourists to Peru? Chile is the top source, providing 22.1% of all international arrivals despite a recent slight decline in volume.
- What is the primary entry point for international travelers? The Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima handles 63.6% of all international arrivals.
- Are more Peruvians traveling abroad? Yes, outbound travel has grown by 3% year-over-year and has officially exceeded 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
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