Peru is an incredibly diverse and popular country to explore – however many often get confused as to when the best time to visit Peru is.
Regions such as Lima and Ica have their very own unique microclimates, which mean weather patterns here are independent from the rest of the country (Peru has around 90 microclimates in total), whilst the Amazon Jungle has its own set of rules. This can often make planning a trip around Peru difficult, however there’s definitely a best time to visit once you break-down each region and how they can all vary at different times of the year.
In this guide we’ll explore when is the best time to visit Peru, including how the country can vary during the dry, wet and shoulder seasons. As well as looking at popular destinations such as Lima and Machu Picchu, we’ll also answer any other burning questions you may have in our FAQ section.
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Quick Answer: Generally speaking, the months of September until November are the very best for visiting Peru, however the complete answer is a little more complicated than that.
These months mark the Spring season for Peru, and as such temperatures in the Andes regions (such as Cusco and Huaraz) won’t be so cold. Coastal areas such as Lima and Chiclayo will be warm but not as hot as they can get come January, and it’s also good to know that the rainy season has yet to properly arrive in Peru.
However it’s very important to know that there are many diverse incredible places to visit in Peru, and also to consider what your personal plans are when visiting Peru – as this will give you a better idea as to which months are best. Planning on hiking multiple Andean mountains? Exploring deep into the Amazon Jungle? Want a little bit of everything here? Later in this guide we’ll cover how to pick the very best months for each.
The first important thing we need to know about Peru is that there are three different seasons annually. These are fairly consistent for most regions of Peru, except those with microclimates (such as Lima where it never rains) as well as the Amazon Jungle (where rainfall is expected most days).
In general the dry season months of Peru run from May until October, where rainfall is at its lowest around the country. This makes it the most popular time for a visit, so you can also expect more tourist crowds and potentially higher travel costs. It’s also important to know that these months also pass through Peru’s winter season (from May until August), so temperatures will be at their coolest throughout the country.
The rainy season for Peru is generally between the months of November and April, where showers and precipitation levels will be at their highest. Tourist crowds will be lower, meaning you can enjoy a more authentic time with less queuing for popular attractions. It’s also important to note that the landscapes around Peru will have more beautiful green vegetation, so it is a great time for photographers and nature lovers to visit.
These include the months of September and October (Spring), as well as April and May (Autumn). Overall these months are some of the very best to visit Peru as they welcome a perfect combination of warmer temperatures in areas of the Andes and along the coast, as well as minimal rainfall in most parts of the country. The latter two months of April and May are also the least busy for visiting the sacred ruins of Machu Picchu.
Aside from the weather, we also need to consider the tourist seasons given they will help us understand how different months of the year can affect cost, logistics and how busy areas of Peru can get.
The peak season months are June until September, which coincide with summer holidays for many countries around the world. Crowds and queues will be longer (although the touristy atmosphere will be better), and costs may also increase in the more popular destinations.
The low travel season months run right through the wet season, which are from October until May. Of course rainfall is heavier and can affect travel plans, however it’s generally more quiet and better for a more authentic experience around Peru. Prices will also be lower as both airlines and accommodation are eager to get more tourism.
Below we’ll now explore the three main regions of Peru, and how each of these diverse areas can have their own seasonal variations when it comes to the weather.
As we mentioned before, Peru has roughly 90 microclimates in total, with Lima having one of the most notorious. Situated in an arid desert biome, the capital receives barely any rainfall whatsoever – which is also due to its positioning between the Pacific Ocean and Andes. For this reason the best time to visit will instead be from November until February, where temperatures are at their warmest given it’s the Peruvian summer season – and makes it perfect to see all of the very best city highlights.
Located at an altitude of 2430m, Machu Picchu is actually situated lower than Cusco (although we’ll need to arrive here first to then get to the sacred site). For this reason temperatures are generally more comfortable here, however the shoulder season months of September, October, April and May remain the very best to head to Machu Picchu. Whilst any other dry season month is also ideal (May to October), crowds can get very large in the middle of the dry season.
Sandwiched firmly within the Peruvian Andes, Cusco follows a similar pattern to other mountain destinations such as Huaraz and Ayacucho. The dry season (from May until October) is best for hiking as rainfall is low, although temperatures are at their coldest. The wet season is warmer, although heavy rains can often cause closures and logistical issues. Overall the best time to visit Cusco is during the shoulder season months of September, October, April and May (where you’ll also avoid the touristy high seasons).
Covering over 2/3 of the country, the Amazon Jungle is a massive region with many top destinations such as Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado and Pucallpa. The weather is very extreme here, with both hot temperatures and lots of rain falling throughout the year. The dry season months of June until September are best for slightly drier days and spotting land animals like Jaguars and Capybara, whilst the wet season months of October until May are much wetter and are ideal for bird-spotting and overall greener vegetation.
Quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations to explore in Peru, the oasis town of Huacachina is located in the arid desert region of Ica – just a few hours south of Lima. Like the capital, this oasis town also has virtually no rainfall throughout the year, although the summer months of November until March are the very warmest. Having said that, any month in Huacachina is a great one – although you’ll still need to bring warmer clothing for the nights for when the temperatures begin to drop.
In this section we’ll now explore the most frequent questions we get about the best time to visit Peru, as well as anything else you need to know.
In general the shoulder season months will be best for a trip around Peru, which include September, October, April and May. Here temperatures will be pleasant and not too cold in the mountains and along the coast, whilst rainfall will still be minimal. Tourist crowds will also be a little less than the winter season months.
The rainy season for Peru begins in November and lasts until April, which affects the majority of the country. However the overall wettest months would be January and February, which can also sometimes cause logistical issues like flooding and landslides in the more remote mountainous areas. Be aware that certain attractions can be closed during these months, such as the Inca Trail in February.
Overall January would mark the hottest month throughout Peru, so is the ideal time to visit if you want to avoid chilly weather. This is especially true along the coast which can get colder in the winter months, and the Andes regions will also experience less extreme lows during the evenings when compared with months like June and July. The Amazon regions will be hot regardless of which month you visit, although there will be more rain during January.
Even though Machu Picchu is open year-round and is fine to visit in any month, certain months are definitely less ideal than others. For example January through to March will be wetter and may experience transport delays along the routes, whilst June until September will see the largest tourist crowds. The best months to visit Machu Picchu are the shoulder season months as we have already mentioned in this article.
And that’s all for this guide on when is the best time to visit Peru, for both the weather and also for avoiding large crowds.
This incredibly diverse country has lots of must-visit areas and attractions, and as such your goal will be to see how you can fit these all into your own Peru itinerary. However, given the amount of different microclimates and regions, it’s important to know how climate conditions can vary and how you can have the best experience possible for your trip. As also seen, different times of the year will also bring other benefits such as greener landscapes and less busy trekking routes.
Are you looking to plan your ultimate Peru itinerary? Here at TravelBuddiesPeru we operate a fully customisable Peru tour, where you can choose exactly where you want to go, what you do and how long you spend in each destination. You’ll also have an expert local guide show you around, which will help you have the most memorable time possible in Peru.
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