A new international award for
Cusco, the archaeological capital of the Americas and a World Cultural Heritage Site!
This time, the Imperial City —one of Peru's historic capitals— has been chosen, for the seventh consecutive time, the best tourist destination in South and Central America, according to the
World's Best Awards 2025 survey by the prestigious international travel and tourism publication Travel+Leisure.
Travel+Leisure is an American magazine considered one of the most influential travel media outlets in the world. It is published 12 times a year with a readership of 4.8 million and also has a web platform visited by millions of people.
According to Travel+Leisure, the 657,000 votes recorded in its World's Best Awards survey, which this year celebrates its 30th edition, highlighted that the selected cities are top-tier for having "everything you want," and "being multi-faceted destinations worthy of visiting over and over."
Cusco rises once again with this important award, which it has obtained for the seventh time, as in the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
This confirms the key importance of the Imperial City for national and international tourism, as one of the most sought-after destinations.
Why was Cusco chosen?
The Travel+Leisure readers who voted for Cusco expressed their admiration for this city located 3,380 meters above sea level, which is the gateway to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.
"Cusco is a very cool city. The history goes back centuries and the ambiance is amazing (…) It has layers, with restaurants and shopping in the center square and hiking and cultural adventures out toward the mountains. Nightlife and food are totally worth visiting for—there's so much to do and discover," the readers say.
How the World's Best Awards are selected
Travel+Leisure states that, each year, for its World's Best Awards survey, it invites its readers to share their opinions on travel experiences around the world: about the best hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruises, spas, airlines, and more.
"Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.). Tour operators and safari outfitters were specifically rated on the criteria below: Staff/guides, Itineraries/destinations, Activities, Accommodations, Food, and Value. For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses," Travel+Leisure explains.
Importance of this award
Cusco is essential in the Andean legacy, the meeting point between tradition and modernity, and an open door to the experience of living the deep Peru.
"From its majestic archaeological sites, the energy of its festivals, and the kindness of its people, Cusco conveys something that goes beyond tourism: it connects with history and with who we are. Gastronomy has also been a key element in this distinction. Iconic dishes like oven-roasted guinea pig or Chiriuchu blend ancestral flavors with contemporary creativity. This is complemented by a genuine commitment to sustainability," it emphasizes.
Cusco, among the best cities in the world to explore on foot
This new international recognition for the city of Cusco adds to the one obtained last May from the prestigious travel and tourism guide GuruWalk, which included the Imperial City in its select list of the 100 best cities in the world to explore on foot.
The publication notes the following: "The former capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco has preserved the splendor of its past. Walking along cobbled streets leading to the Plaza de Armas (Main Square) or discovering ruins such as Sacsayhuaman is like reliving history with every step."
To see the full list of cities included in the GuruWalk list,
click here.
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Published: 7/10/2025