The Best Time to Visit Peru

With Peru, you have already chosen an excellent travel destination because the land of the Incas has a lot to offer. Prepare yourself for every city’s impressive sights, culinary highlights, and exciting history. However, one factor you must consider before coming to Peru is the weather.

Peru has three regions: the coast, the Andes, and the jungle. Each area will experience different climates, so it’s essential to know when to visit.

If you don’t want to stand in the rain all day or see a snow-covered rainbow mountain, you should carefully read the following points regarding the best time to visit Peru.

Table of contents:

• Peru’s Climate
• Peru’s Coastal Region
  • Peru’s Coastal Region in the Rainy Season
  • Peru’s Coastal Region in the Dry Season
• Peru’s Andes
  • Peru’s Andes Region in the Rainy Season
  • Peru’s Andes Region in the Dry Season
• Peru’s Amazon Rainforest
  • Peru’s Amazon Rainforest in the Rainy Season
  • Peru’s Amazon Rainforest in the Dry Season
• Overview of Peru’s Climate

Peru’s Climate

Peru is known worldwide for its mega diversity with various plants and animals due to the different climate zones in the country. By the way, did you know that Peru has 28 of the 32 climate zones?

The cold Humboldt current, the 994 miles (1599 km) long desert coast, the Andean mountains, and the Amazon rainforest are responsible for the diverse weather in Peru. Additionally, you will encounter numerous microclimates between these regions, leading to further variations in the temperature.

As Peru is right on the equator, you will only experience the rainy- and dry season. Now let’s see what this means for each region.

Peru’s Coastal Region

The most visited Peruvian cities by international travelers located on the coast are Lima, Paracas, Huacachina, and Mancora.

Most travelers spend most of their time in Cusco, the former capital of Peru. What you always need to remember about the weather in Cusco is that it can change very quickly.

Peru’s Andes in the Rainy Season

The rainy season in the Andes is from November to March. During these months, you will experience a lot of precipitation. The temperatures during the day reach a maximum value of 64°F (18°C) and can drop to 44°F (7°C) at night.

Some tours may not take place due to flooding or landslides. The Inca Trail and the Salkantay Trek will be closed for one month in February as the routes are maintained.

Also, the rainbow mountains can likely be covered in snow, or clouds cover Machu Picchu. However, the rainy season also comes with an advantage – fewer travelers!

Peru’s Andes in the Dry Season

The dry season in the Andes is from April to September/October. Even if it rains much less, the temperatures are significantly different day and night.

You can enjoy the sun during the day and expect temperatures of up to 68°F (20°C), whereas at night, it tends to get chilly, and you need to put on another layer as the temperatures drop to 32°F (0°C).

As always, good weather attracts many people, which is why these months are the most crowded. We recommend our Best of Cusco in 4 Days tour because it helps you explore the must-visit sites while the weather is mostly sunny and dry.

Peru’s Amazon Rainforest

Before you plan your tour in the Peruvian rainforest, you should consider the high- and low-water season, as this will strongly impact your overall experience.

You won’t be able to escape the high humidity because it’s around 80 – 100% year-round. More info about that is in our Amazon travel guide.

Peru’s Amazon Rainforest in the Rainy Season

The high water season in Iquitos takes place from December to May and is characterized by almost daily rainfall. During this time, the water level in the Amazon can rise by up to 23 feet (7m). Be prepared for temperatures of around 86°F (30°C).

The rainy season offers the advantage of crossing some parts of the Amazon by boat that you would otherwise not be able to reach during the low-water season. You can discover even more exotic animals, such as pink dolphins, river otters, manatees, and more.

These months are viral among tourists, which is why this is the most visited time.

Peru’s Amazon in the Dry Season

The low water season is from June to December. During these months, there is much less rain, and temperatures rise to 93°F (34°C). Unfortunately, the humidity remains high, and the only thing that makes the temperatures more bearable is that you will be bothered by fewer mosquitos! That’s a reason to be happy, believe us.

The most significant difference to the high water season is that you will hike more to get deeper into the jungle instead of using a boat or a canoe.

Enjoy the Country of the Incas

In the end, there is no sgood” or “bad” time, as it all depends on your preferences and, above all, your flexibility. We recommend that you plan your tour based on which region you want to spend most of your time in Peru.

We think the best time is between May and October, as the weather is excellent in these months, especially in Cusco! You will have an unforgettable experience at the legendary Machu Picchu. Also this will make your entire stay easier, as you don’t have to worry that specific tours cannot take place due to bad weather conditions.

With this information about the different regions in Peru, you can now decide for yourself when you’d like to visit the land of the Incas. If you’re ready for your Peru trip, check out the 18 top things to do in Peru!

Need some inspiration regarding your itinerary? Send us an email at info@andenconnections.com, and we’ll be happy to help you.