When’s the Best Time to Visit Peru?
Generally, the best time to visit Peru is between May and October, the country’s dry and high seasons.
Top tourist destinations like Cusco and Machu Picchu enjoy dry, sunny weather, which is ideal for exploring the Andean mountains. Trekking, sightseeing, and other activities occur under blue skies, with the chance of a couple of rainy afternoons each month.
However, Peru is a year-round destination. Many people prefer low-season travel (November to March) to Peru for lower prices, warmer days, and trips to the beach.
Andean Trails’ View on the Best Time to Visit Peru
Kathy Jarvis, director of Andean Trails since 1998, said: “You can certainly visit Peru on holiday at any time of year, but some months are better than others depending on what you want to do and which part of the country you would like to see.
“I always think it is better to think in terms of wet and dry seasons, rather than winter vs. summer, as the amount of rainfall is most likely to influence when you choose to travel.
“The drier months in the mountains are best for trekking, from April to October, but they are the cloudier, cooler months on the coast. The hottest months on the coast (January and February) are the wettest months in the mountains and not so good for trekking.”
Pro tip: The iconic Inca Trail closes in February for cleaning and also because it is the Cusco region’s wettest month.
Top Travel Tips for Visiting Peru
Here are the best times to visit different areas of Peru.
- Peak season (May to September): This is a great time to hike in the Andes and visit iconic landmarks like Machu Picchu and the Amazon. Lower rainfall and river levels make animal observation easier.
- Shoulder season (October and April): It is still usually dry, with fewer crowds and potentially lower flight and accommodation prices.
- Low season (November to March): This is a rainy season in the Andes, but warm and sunny on the coast. It is excellent for visiting Lima and coastal cities, and is a gift for beach lovers and surfers.
The Best Time to Visit Peru for Trekking
The best months to trek in Peru are May to November, although this can also stretch to include April and October. These are the driest months of the year and the best time to trek for dry, stable weather.
Hikes in the Cordillera Huayhuash, the Inca Trail, Cordillera Blanca, and many of Peru’s Andes ranges experience clear blue skies with sunny days. But beware; temperatures can plummet to below freezing as soon as the sun goes down.
- April to October: Cusco’s average min/max temperature is 4-21ºC (39-70ºF).
- November to March: Cusco’s average min/max temperature is 8-22ºC (46-72ºF).
Most Peruvian homes lack heating, and only some hotels provide heating. Kathy added, “I would not rule out trekking in other months. In March and October/November, you may have afternoon showers, but this is still a nice time for trekking as the nights are mild, and this is a quieter time in the mountains in terms of the number of trekkers.
When Is the Best Time to Climb in Peru?
May to September is the prime time for climbing ice-clad peaks. June, July, and August are the best months to attempt the prominent peaks in the Cordillera Blanca, Cordillera Huayhuash, and Cordilleras around Cusco.
The weather tends to be stable, with clear sunny days and star-filled night skies. Visibility is usually excellent, and you are in for some stunning mountain vistas when tackling peaks like Urus, Ishinca, and Tocllaraju, try a climbing course or the famous Pisco peak.
On treks and climbs, high camps over 4,000m/13,123ft can see very sharp frosts, with temperatures well below freezing, so go prepared. Any precipitation will fall as snow or sleet, and gloves, hats, down jackets, and four-season sleeping bags are required.
Trekking in Peru in the Rainy Season
December to March is the rainy season proper, and it can rain for a good few hours a day in the Andes. So, while you can still trek, you must have good boots and waterproofs. The trails get seriously wet and muddy, and sometimes, passes are blocked with snow.
If you don’t mind the wet, you will enjoy empty trails, lovely mornings, and the opportunity to dry off quickly in the warm sunshine.
Kathy said: “April is my personal favourite for trekking, as the weather is usually pretty good, with very little rain. After the rainy season, the landscapes look their very best, verdant and bright with new growth and flowers.”
The Best Time to Visit Peru’s Amazon Rainforest
The best time to visit Peru’s Amazon rainforest is the dry season, May to October. That said, Amazon rainforest weather is hot and humid year-round, and there is always a risk of rain.
The lowland rainforests of Tambopata and Manu are cooler and drier between May and October, which coincides well with the trekking season. The wet season of November to March means warmer days and a greater chance of rainfall.
Occasionally, between May and September, cold fronts known locally as ‘friajes’ sweep into southwest Amazonia and push temperatures down to 9°C (42°F) for 1-3 days.
May to October (dry season): Amazon temperatures
- The average daytime high temperature is between 25°C and 34°C (77-93°C).
- The average nighttime low is between 16°C and 22°C (61-72°C).
- Heavy downpours typically occur every few days.
- Hot and humid year-round
November to April (wet season): Amazon temperatures
- The average daytime high temperature is between 30°C and 33°C (85-91°C).
- The average nighttime low is between 18°C and 23°C (64-73°C).
- Heavy downpours could happen daily, usually in the afternoon.
- Around 80% of the annual average rainfall—approximately 2,000 mm in Manu and Tambopata and 1,400 mm in Iquitos—occurs in the wet season.
- December to February are the rainiest months.
The Best Months to Travel to Lima and the Coast of Peru
Peru’s coastal region is a year-round destination. It is a narrow, 2,250 km-long desert crossed by many fertile river valleys flowing from the Andes.
Lima and Peru’s coast enjoy a warm summer between November and April. In contrast, from May to October, a mist called garua blankets Lima and other coastal cities, burning off occasionally to allow sunny spells and minimal. That said, the climate is warm and sunny a few miles inland from the sea.
Lima’s mist comes from the cold Humboldt sea current from May to October. During these months, there is 98% humidity, which leaves clothes feeling damp and makes it feel cold when resting. Daytime average temperatures in Lima vary from 13 to 20ºC (55-68ºF).
Lima’s summer (November to April) sees average temperatures of 20 to 26ºC (68-79ºF). Further north, the thermometer hits up to 30ºC (86ºF).
When’s the Best Time to Visit Peru?
The best time to visit Peru depends on your interests and the activities you wish to enjoy.
Trekkers, climbers, visitors to Machu Picchu, and those heading to the Amazon might prefer the dry months of May to October. Flights and accommodation may be busier, but it’s still relatively easy to get away from the crowds in Peru, even in peak season.
Surfers, beach lovers, and people wanting to visit the northern coast might enjoy the summer months of November to April. During this time, discounted flights, hotels, and tours may help stretch budgets.
And remember: the above climate guide is just that. The weather is unpredictable in any region, and Peru is no different. People enjoy dry days in the rainy season, and it can rain in the dry season.
