Trying to determine the right time to visit Peru is challenging. If you have glanced at a map, noted the proximity of the country to the Equator, and deduced the climate must be idyllic and glorious all year round, you’ll be surprised. Peru boasts an eclectic geography and contrasting climates depending on the region you wish to roam. The best time of year to visit is incredibly subjective and will mostly be determined by what you want to do once you get there.
Let’s dive in.
Understanding Peru’s Climate
Peru boasts one of the most idiosyncratic geographies in South America. Its ecosystems span from arid (but often overcast) coastal plains to the lush (and always humid) Amazon rainforest, and the towering, ever-present Andes. This spectacular spine of mountains, coupled with cold ocean currents off the coast, has created a range of climates that differ by region and season. In essence, Peru’s climate does not behave the way one would expect, considering its seemingly tropical location.
Finding the best time to travel to Peru might be tricky due to the unique topography, yet these peculiarities contributed to the creation of the Amazon rainforest 100 million years ago. So, we hold no grudges.
Aside from its climatic peculiarities, Peru also suffers from over-tourism at its most celebrated highlights. The good news is that finding that sweet spot of good weather and fewer tourists is possible, as is finding alternatives to the big-name attractions. It all comes down to choice. One cannot have it all, and you will certainly understand that when trying to plan your trip to this sensational country.
Best Time to Visit Peru – By Region
Geographically and climatically, it helps to divide Peru into three regions: the highlands of the Andes, the Amazon Rainforest, and the coast. For many, it is easier to plan a trip according to the region of Peru they most wish to visit.
Best Time to Visit the Peruvian Andes
Home to the legacy of the Incas and some of Peru’s most coveted ancient sites, the Andes and its surrounding highlands are the country’s #1 tourist hot spot.
The Andean seasons are generally divided into:
- Dry Winter — May to September
- Wet Summer — November to March
- Shoulder months — April & October
Due to the altitude, the Andean highlands are quite cold and windy all year but with the right thermal gear that is not generally a problem, even in the coldest months of June-August.
The region receives a considerable amount of rain during the Peruvian summer, starting from October. This is much more likely to cause visitors some grief, to varying degrees. In this part of the world, heavy rains can play havoc with travel plans — landslides, road closures, and general travel mayhem are not uncommon. Not such a colossal hassle if you are on an open-ended trip (you might get stuck for a few days) but infinitely more stressful if you are on a tighter itinerary.
For all these reasons, the overall best time to visit the Peruvian Andes is during the dry winter months, between May and September. Although you ought to expect cold nights (0°C – 32°F) you will enjoy quite pleasant daytime temperatures (10°C- 50°F), even at the highest altitude. When the sun is blasting above the glorious Andes in July, you will be hiking in a T-shirt for most of the day.
Best Time to Visit the Peruvian Amazon
The Amazon is the one anomaly that boasts consistent temperatures, ranging between 25°C (77°F) and 30°C (86°F), all year long. While copious rain should be expected at any time of year (it is a rainforest, after all), the rain-gods pick up the ante between November and April. Now, we’ll be honest: visiting the Amazon will never be a dry and comfortable affair. Due to high humidity, the Amazon is a surprisingly unforgiving environment, luxury lodge stays notwithstanding.
Since rain is a constant in this neck of the tropical woods, the two main seasons here are known as high- and low-water seasons.
- High-water season — December to May
- Low-water season — June to November
Each season offers exceptional experiences so visits to the Amazon are usually planned by preferred activity.
- If you wish to join an Amazon cruise, visit between December and May, when water levels are higher.
- If you wish to enjoy a lodge-based stay and do more on-land excursions, visit between June and November, when water will have receded.
The Amazon is magical to visit at any time of year. If you are planning to visit various regions in Peru, don’t let this region dictate your plans, unless you have very specific wishes for a river cruise or lodge-based stay.
You will be blown away, no matter when you go.
Best Time to Visit the Peruvian Coast
With over 1,900 miles (3,000 km) of coastline, one would imagine Peru to be a beach lover’s paradise, but the reality is much less idyllic. The Peruvian coast is primarily defined by the cold Humboldt Current, which creates world-class surfing waves but quite cold temperatures for leisurely frolicking. Plus, as the cold air meets the high Andes, it creates a heavy fog, the garúa, that afflicts the central and southern sections of the coast during the coldest months.
- Winter – April to October (expect mild daytime temperatures of 20°C (68°F) and cooler nights around 15°C (59°F), coupled with high humidity due to the garúa which tends to stick around (quite literally) for eight months of the year.
- Summer – December to March (clearer skies and warm temperatures around 25°C (77°F) to 35°C (95°F), a short “beach season” that falls right in the middle of the wettest months in the Andes.
But not all beach-combing hopes are lost. The northern coast of Peru enjoys a much longer summer season so the farther north you travel toward Ecuador, the drier, sunnier, and warmer the conditions become.
The area around Máncora can be quite the paradise between October and April. It can be a wonderful escape hatch after a shoulder-season visit to the Andes.
Best Time to Visit Peru: A Season-by-Season Overview
Not everyone has the luxury of choosing the time of year to travel to Peru. Most of us have a pre-determined holiday vacation time we must adhere to. If this is your case, here is a general overview of what to expect, where to go, and what to do, depending on your chosen (or forced) month of travel.
May to September: The Dry Season
The dry season is generally regarded as the overall best time to visit Peru. This is particularly true for those who wish to explore the highlands extensively and enjoy the many outdoor activities on offer. If your itinerary includes hiking one of the many ancient Inca trails or even just a visit to Machu Picchu by train, these months offer the most reliable weather, with clear skies and minimal rainfall. Not only is this period perfect for photography but ideal for those on tighter schedules. You don’t need to stress* that your visit will be derailed by rain in the middle of winter.
*Caveat: Landslides and road closures have typically occurred in the Peruvian Andes between January and March. In 2022, however, the Cordillera Blanca suffered a catastrophic landslide in June — terribly out of season. Climate change is affecting every region in the world and the Andes are certainly not exempt.
The dry season in the Andes, coupled with the start of the summer school vacation in the northern hemisphere, marks the peak of the tourist season. Tourist crowds can be overwhelming in popular hubs like Cusco—the once mighty headquarters of the Inca Empire—and the Sacred Valley. But you’ll be swapping rain for gloriously clear blue skies — priceless!
October and April: The Shoulder Seasons
For those seeking a harmonious balance between pretty good weather and fewer tourists, the shoulder months of April and October are excellent choices.
In April, the landscape is resplendent after recent rains, especially in the mountainous regions. While some showers may still occur, they are typically short-lived and shouldn’t impact your travel plans too much.
October, on the other hand, signals the stark transition from the dry to the rainy season. This month still offers relatively good weather for highland exploration, although conditions will be much less predictable and you may well suffer daily downpours. On the other hand, crowds will start to dissipate in all the major hot spots.
December to March: The Rainy Season
Traveling to Peru during the rainy season presents a host of both challenges and opportunities. Heavy rainfall is typical in the Andean and Amazon regions from December through March, which complicates travel plans somewhat. Treks like the Inca Trail are often closed for maintenance in February, and landslides can easily disrupt travel in the highlands as mentioned earlier. Mind you, if you are visiting coastal regions such as Lima or Paracas, this is the best time to enjoy warm, sunny weather — ideal if you wish to include a couple of days of R&R on the beach at a rare time of year when the garúa is usually absent.
For those totally allergic to tourist crowds and overly inflated prices, this period can also be abundantly appealing. There is still a lot of fun to be had! While still open, Machu Picchu sees far fewer visitors, making it a more tranquil experience. The Inca Trail may be closed in February, but multiple alternative trails are available. If you embrace the rain, you can also explore the deepest nooks of the Amazon.
Cultural Festivals
Peru hosts several fantastic cultural festivals year-round, even though they are not usually the primary reason tourists visit. Nevertheless, it is good to note that the famous ancient Inca festival of Inti Raymi is held in Cusco in June, and the whole country is in party mode in July when Independence Day is celebrated with parades, fireworks, and traditional performances in all major cities.
The famous Cajamarca Carnival is held in February, and so is the outstanding Festival of the Candelaria, one of the most prominent celebrations in the Andean cultural calendar. The event is held in the town of Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, and is impressively colorful.
If you happen to be in Lima in September, don’t miss the Misura Food Festival, the largest gastronomy event in all of South America.
Mid-September also sees the celebration of Peru’s national drink, the pisco sour, in Paracas. The Festival of Pisco is a fantastic excuse to enjoy a drink and a visit to the Paracas National Reserve. This protected and stunning coastal desert region is home to sea lions, penguins, and a multitude of seabirds. On the way, make a detour to visit the mystical Nazca lines.
Best Time to Visit Peru Depending on Your Interests
Ultimately, the best time to visit Peru hinges on what you want to experience first and foremost. The dry season is unmatched for trekking and highland exploration, but if you’re more interested in cultural immersion or visiting less crowded sites, the shoulder seasons might be ideal. And if you must travel during Peru’s rainy season, don’t be discouraged. You will still find innumerable unique experiences that no amount of rain could ever dampen.
