After spending a year living in South America, there's one country I recommend to all first-time visitors coming from the US

• I love visiting South America, and always recommend Peru to first-time visitors coming from the US.

• Peru is easy to reach from the States, and planning itineraries there feels straightforward.

• The country's history, landscapes, and cuisine make it a great intro to exploring South America.

I've traveled all over the world, but there's one region I always recommend to those seeking adventure: South America.

Every country in South America offers something unique, from the striking mountains in Patagonia to the lively beaches of Brazil. Yet for first-time visitors to the region, narrowing down which places to visit can seem daunting.

In the past decade, I've visited South America seven times. Combined, I've spent just over a year traveling and living around the continent, and I can never seem to get enough.

There's nowhere I've been that I wouldn't recommend, but for first-timers, I always suggest putting Peru at the top of your list.

After spending three months traveling around the country, I think Peru's history, culinary scene, and range of activities make it ideal for a first trip to South America, and here's why.