The popular American streamer IShowSpeed arrived in Peru, causing a lot of excitement among his local followers. Known for his energetic and flamboyant style, Speed’s visit to Peru was part of his South American tour, which included stops in Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador and Paraguay. During his time in Lima, he visited the historic city center and the bustling Gamarra business district, where he was followed by enthusiastic Peruvian fans.
Speed also met with Peruvian streamer Andynsane for a live broadcast, during which they toured the streets of Lima together and interacted with local fans.
“Peru is the best country in South America,” says IShowSpeed after his visit.
Why is speed so popular?
Darren Jason Watkins Jr., known worldwide as IShowSpeed, is an American streamer who, at just 20 years old, has already achieved impressive milestones in the digital entertainment industry. His YouTube channel boasts over 30 million subscribers, and his live streams of video games, reactions, and humorous moments have made him a viral sensation.
In addition to his charismatic personality, Speed is known for his passion for soccer, particularly his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, which has helped him connect with a sports-loving audience. In December 2024, he was recognized at the Streamer Awards, beating out notable figures such as Spanish content creator Ibai Llanos. His unique style and ability to create memorable moments in every broadcast has cemented his position as one of the most influential streamers in the world.
Which hotel did Speed stay at in Lima?
The popular YouTuber and influencer stayed at the AC Hotel Lima, located in the Miraflores district, during his visit to Peru.
Speed tried ceviche and was surprised
IShowSpeed had an unforgettable experience in Peru when he tried the country’s most iconic dish – ceviche – for the first time. On a live broadcast, he sampled the traditional Peruvian dish made with fresh fish, lime, onion and chili. Initially praising the intense and unique flavors of ceviche, he was visibly surprised by the heat of the chili, prompting him to ask for water while laughing.
Why didn’t Speed travel to Machu Picchu for a live stream?
Peruvian content creator Andy Merino, also known as “El Zeein,” accompanied Speed on his visit to Lima and later shared insights from the trip.
Speed arrived in Lima on the night of January 27th and within hours became a sensation in the Peruvian capital. His much-anticipated live stream took place on YouTube on January 28, where he toured downtown Lima with Zein’s help, attracting massive crowds that disrupted the original itinerary.
One planned stop was Gamarra, where Speed was supposed to enjoy a giant salchipapa – one of his favorite dishes – but the plan fell through. He also visited the National Stadium, but it was empty. According to Zein, a scheduled meeting with members of the Peruvian national soccer team (“La Blanquirroja”) was canceled at the last minute.
Several scheduled events had to be cancelled due to logistical challenges, including the overwhelming number of fans following Speed. At one point, he had to go into hiding because the crowd made it impossible to continue the Peru tour.
Speed Didn’t Make It to Cusco and Machu Picchu
After the Lima broadcast, many speculated that Speed would continue on to Cusco for a second broadcast. Instead, he showed up in Bolivia. Before his next destination was confirmed, Andy Merino addressed the situation on his Kick account, explaining why Speed did not visit Machu Picchu or broadcast from Cusco.
Merino clarified that an all-expenses-paid invitation for Speed to visit Machu Picchu had been extended and remained open. However, several logistical challenges made the trip unfeasible.
Andynsane elaborated:
“Speed had an open invitation to visit Machu Picchu with all expenses paid, but when we analyzed the logistics, it became clear that it would be difficult. The train ride to Machu Picchu alone takes three hours. I can’t imagine Speed doing an IRL (in real life) stream for three hours on a train.
He pointed out that Speed’s live broadcasts typically last three to four hours, so a long, non-interactive train ride wouldn’t fit his content style. In addition, there are no faster transportation options to Machu Picchu, making the trip even more complicated.
“Spending three hours on a train is just not sustainable. If there was another way to get there in 15 minutes, it might work, but unfortunately there isn’t,” Andynsane added.
In addition, the poor Internet signal in the area could have negatively impacted Speed’s live broadcast.
One of the main reasons Speed’s team ruled out the trip was his short attention span on long trips.
“Speed can barely handle 10 minutes in a car before he gets restless – imagine three hours on a train,” Andynsane explained.
However, Andynsane expressed interest in a future collaboration, saying:
“I’ve already told him that if he wants to come back, just let me know and we’ll make it happen wherever he wants.”
So while Speed’s visit to Machu Picchu didn’t happen this time, the possibility of a future trip under more favorable conditions remains open.