In the 2025 South America edition of the World Travel Awards, often called the “Oscars of tourism,” Peru once again shone as the region’s standout destination. The country was recognized in five key categories that confirm what many travelers already feel: Peru is one of the most complete, sustainable, and exciting places in the world for your next Peru trip.
Peru received the following awards:
- South America’s Leading Contributor to Sustainable Tourism 2025 – Peru
- South America’s Leading Culinary Destination 2025 – Peru
- South America’s Leading Cultural Destination 2025 – Peru
- South America’s Leading Destination 2025 – Peru
- South America’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2025 – Machu Picchu
These recognitions are not isolated achievements. In 2025, Peru added another title as South America’s Leading Destination, strengthened its reputation as the region’s top cultural destination, and confirmed once more that its gastronomy is among the most celebrated in the world. Machu Picchu, meanwhile, reaffirmed its status as the iconic attraction of the continent.
Below, we explain what these awards mean and how they translate into real experiences for your tours in Peru, helping you decide what to visit in Peru on your next journey.
What Are the World Travel Awards and Why Do They Matter for Your Peru Trip?
The World Travel Awards have been held since 1993 and recognize excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry: destinations, hotels, airlines, tour operators, attractions, and more. They are considered one of the highest distinctions in global tourism, a true seal of quality that influences the decisions of millions of travelers worldwide.
Peru being named:
- South America’s Leading Destination 2025
- South America’s Leading Cultural Destination 2025
- South America’s Leading Culinary Destination 2025
- South America’s Leading Contributor to Sustainable Tourism 2025
means that if you are planning a Peru trip, you are choosing a country at the cutting edge of tourism:
- It competes with – and wins against – other iconic destinations in South America.
- It is recommended by tourism professionals and travelers from all over the world.
- It invests in sustainability, living culture, and meaningful experiences.
For you as a traveler, it is a guarantee: when you search for tours in Peru, top attractions in Peru, or Peru destinations, you know you are exploring a country that stands out for its quality, diversity, and authenticity.
Peru, the Cultural Heart of South America
The award for South America’s Leading Cultural Destination 2025 – Peru confirms something you feel the moment you arrive: culture in Peru isn’t only in museums, it is alive in the streets, markets, festivals, music, and daily life of its people.
In a single trip, you can:
- Walk the cobblestone streets of Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, where baroque churches rise over ancient temples.
- Explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with its agricultural terraces, fortresses like Ollantaytambo, and villages where Andean traditions are still part of everyday life.
- Discover Quechua and Aymara traditions in highland communities, where music, clothing, and rituals preserve a millenary heritage.
- Visit the Historic Center of Lima, a UNESCO World Heritage site, filled with colonial mansions, wooden balconies, churches, and plazas that tell the story of the old viceroyalty.
For travelers who are asking what to visit in Peru, this cultural award is a clear invitation: beyond Machu Picchu, the country is a mosaic of identities, languages, histories, and landscapes that together create a deeply transformative journey.
Machu Picchu: South America’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2025
Among all the awards, one shines with special intensity: Machu Picchu has once again been named South America’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2025.
This recognition adds to a long list of honors for the Inca citadel:
- UNESCO World Heritage site
- One of the New Seven Wonders of the World
- The most visited site in Peru and one of the most famous ancient cities in the world
For you, including Machu Picchu in your itinerary is much more than checking off a famous place. It is:
- Walking through terraces, temples, and plazas surrounded by dramatic green mountains and drifting clouds.
- Connecting with Inca engineering, their worldview, and their respect for nature.
- Experiencing one of the absolute top attractions in Peru in a setting where cultural and natural heritage come together.
At Colourful Peru, we design tours in Peru that combine Machu Picchu with nearby destinations such as the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, or the Amazon rainforest, so your journey goes beyond the classic postcard picture and becomes a complete exploration of the Andes and the jungle.
Peru, the Number One Culinary Destination: A Journey Through Flavor
Being named South America’s Leading Culinary Destination 2025 – Peru confirms what food lovers already know: traveling through Peru is also embarking on a route of unforgettable flavors.
This award, which Peru has received several times, recognizes:
- The creativity of its chefs, many of whom appear at the top of the world’s best restaurant lists.
- The extraordinary diversity of ingredients from coast, highlands, and Amazon.
- The deep link between gastronomy, territory, and local communities.
On a single Peru trip you can:
- Discover some of the best restaurants in Peru, from fine-dining experiences in Lima to traditional picanterías in Arequipa and hidden local eateries in neighborhoods and markets.
- Taste classics such as ceviche, lomo saltado, ají de gallina, and causa, along with regional specialties like cuy (guinea pig) in Cusco, pachamanca in the central Andes, or juanes and tacacho in the Amazon.
- Explore colorful markets full of exotic fruits, artisan bread, specialty coffee, and bean-to-bar chocolate.
For travelers looking for authentic experiences, Peruvian gastronomy turns any itinerary into a sequence of memorable moments and becomes, by itself, one of the great top attractions in Peru.
Leading Through Sustainability: Traveling with a Positive Impact
The award for South America’s Leading Contributor to Sustainable Tourism 2025 – Peru is especially meaningful because it reflects the country’s effort to promote tourism that protects nature and respects local communities.
This recognition is based on:
- The strengthening of national parks, protected areas, and conservation projects in the Amazon, the Andes, and the coast.
- Initiatives that promote community-based tourism and create direct income for local families.
- Programs that seek to reduce environmental impact in high-demand destinations such as Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and the Paracas Reserve.
By choosing tours in Peru with a responsible approach, you become part of this positive change. At Colourful Peru, we work with partners who:
- Respect carrying capacity and local regulations in each destination.
- Promote sustainable practices in accommodation, transport, and activities.
- Encourage genuine, respectful encounters with local communities, far beyond superficial visits.
In this way, your trip will not only be unforgettable for you, but also beneficial for the places and people you visit.
How to Use These Awards When Planning Your Tours in Peru
If you are thinking about your next trip and wondering what to visit in Peru, these awards can guide you toward an itinerary that combines the best the country has to offer:
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Essential Cultural and Scenic Route
- Lima – history and cuisine: the historic center, bohemian Barranco, Miraflores by the ocean, plus a selection of some of the best restaurants in Peru.
- Cusco and the Sacred Valley: Inca archaeological sites, traditional villages, weaving workshops, local markets, and immersive experiences with Andean communities.
- Machu Picchu: the highlight of the trip, reached by panoramic train or by short Inca Trail options.
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Peru for Nature Lovers and Sustainable Travel
- Peruvian Amazon (Tambopata, Manu, Pacaya Samiria): eco-lodges, wildlife watching, river journeys, and hands-on conservation experiences.
- Andean landscapes and lakes: day hikes or multi-day treks, high-altitude lagoons, and rural stays.
- Guided activities led by local experts that prioritize low-impact exploration.
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Peru for Foodies and Urban Explorers
- Market tours, cooking classes, and pisco tastings in Lima, Arequipa, and Cusco.
- Visits to emerging neighborhoods, art galleries, specialty coffee shops, and contemporary culinary projects that show Peru’s creative side.
At Colourful Peru, we design tailor-made itineraries that combine culture, nature, gastronomy, and sustainability so your tours in Peru reflect your travel style and your available time.
Why Choose Peru Now?
The results of the World Travel Awards 2025 confirm that this is the perfect moment to:
- Finally make your dream of visiting Machu Picchu come true.
- Explore new and lesser-known regions that are equally fascinating.
- Enjoy one of the most acclaimed culinary scenes on the planet.
- Travel with the reassurance that your choice supports a model of tourism that is increasingly responsible and sustainable.
If you are looking for Peru destinations that combine excitement, authenticity, and quality, these awards are a direct invitation to turn that dream trip into reality.
At Colourful Peru, we will be delighted to help you design a fully customized itinerary – whether you are traveling as a couple, with family, with friends, or solo – so you can experience the country exactly as these awards describe it: a leader in culture, gastronomy, sustainability, and unforgettable travel experiences.
Live a Colourful Experience with Colourful Peru.