Peru is well known as being home to one of the 7 Wonders of the World – Machu Picchu. People often associate Peru with llamas, mountains, and the Incas. But did you know Peru is also an award winning culinary, cultural, and tourist destination?! In 2022, Peru was awarded with three top honors by World Travel Awards, an organization established to “acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence … of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries.” Not only was Peru recognized for its culinary excellence with the World’s Leading Culinary Destination 2022 but also with the World’s Leading Cultural Destination and the World’s Leading Tourist Destination for 2022. Wow! Peru won 3 of the top awards which means it must be a leading destination for travelers of all types!
Let’s start by digging into the World’s Leading Culinary Destination award. Peruvian ceviche is considered to be the original, or first ceviche recipe. Ceviche is a dish made with fresh (raw) fish “cooked” or cured in citrus juices. (In Peru, their special citrus juice is called “leche de tigre” or tiger’s milk. But don’t worry! No tigers are harmed in the making of leche de tigre! It’s actually just a blend of citrus, like lime, and spices used for curing the raw fish.) A typical Peruvian ceviche hits all the flavor receptors! It includes cured white fish, sweet potatoes, purple onions, corn, and plantain chips to give a sweet, salty, and savory explosion of flavors. You can find ceviche in nearly every restaurant, and it is sure to satisfy the most adventurous foodie!
Another classic Peruvian specialty is Lomo Saltado which is a stir fry-like dish made with sauteed beef, onions, tomatoes, and french fries. It might not seem like french fries belong in a stir fry, but they add a comforting touch to this saucy and salty meal! If beef isn’t your favorite protein, then Aji de Gallina is sure to please. Aji de Gallina is a creamy chicken stew-like dish prepared with cream, bread, and aji peppers (sometimes called Locoto peppers which are low on the Scoville Heat scale). While a Peruvian might tell you Aji de Gallina is spicy … it’s not. The dish is a warm and cozy stew that is more savory than spicy.
For the adventurous foodie, “Cuy,” or roasted guinea pig, is a must try! Cuy is considered a delicacy in Peru. While it might seem strange to eat what we often consider to be a furry pet, guinea pig farming is a growing (and sustainable) industry for local farmers. You can find roasted guinea pigs in one of many open-air markets or in a fine dining establishment.
Now, let’s consider the World’s Leading Cultural Destination award. Peru is jam-packed with culture and history – primarily indigenous Incan culture along with Spanish influences. Machu Picchu is the most famous historical site to see, but Peru has a long list of places to visit and learn about Peruvian culture and history, including 13 locations on the UNESCO World Heritage list!
The entire City of Cusco is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is located in the Andes Mountain range. The City of Cusco was once an urban Incan city called “The Imperial City” with religious, royal, and administrative buildings many of which you can still visit today. After the 16th century Spanish conquest, much of the original architecture was preserved while new buildings were constructed over the Incan city. In Cusco, you will find a blend of new and old and a fusion of Incan and Spanish history, culture, and architecture. During your time in Cusco, you might visit the ruins of the Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha) or the Cathedral Basilica of the Virgin of the Assumption.
To get a taste of culture in Cusco, you can visit the Choco Museo (chocolate museum) where you can see how chocolate is traditionally made, and even sample various types of chocolate. To see and learn about Peruvian and Incan culture, you might visit the Mueso de Arte Precolombino (Museum of Pre-Colombian Art) or walk through the catacombs of Museo y Catacumbas del Convento de San Francisco de Asís de Cusco.
Not far from Cusco you can visit many other Incan ruins and ancient cities. You hardly have to leave Cusco to visit Sacsayhuaman which is a 10-minute drive or 45 minute walk from the city center. Roughly 50 miles from Cusco you will find the ruins of Ollantaytambo, which were once used as a fortress and built into a steep hillside to protect from the Spanish Conquistadors. Hiking to the top of these ruins offers an excellent view of the surrounding city and mountains. Visiting Pisac gives you the opportunity to see Incan agriculture as it once was. The curving terraces are a stunning design! Even more stunning are the Moray Ruins that display a circular system of terraces sort of like a giant bowl. You can climb and explore these more remote ruins for an authentic experience of Incan life.
From delicious food to beautiful ancient ruins to museums and cathedrals, Peru is sure to impress any visitors (and has the awards to prove it!). You will be enriched with culture and history and your tastebuds will be delighted after a visit to this award-winning destination.