Where ancient ruins rise, majestic mountains scrape the sky, and vibrant cultures thrive—that’s Peru. But here’s the million-dollar question for adventurers: when is the perfect time to visit Peru? To soak in the sun, dodge the crowds, and make the most of this dazzling destination, timing is everything. Picture this: trekking the iconic Inca Trail under brilliant blue skies, cruising the Amazon as wildlife calls from the lush rainforest, or sipping a tangy pisco sour while exploring the lively streets of Lima. The best time of year to visit Peru can depend on where you go. From the arid coastal deserts to the towering Andes and the Amazon’s verdant canopy, Peru’s landscapes shift with the seasons, making every month a unique experience. Ready to plan your adventure? Let’s break it down month by month, so you’ll know exactly when to pack your bags for the journey of a lifetime.
The best time to visit Peru? It all comes down to the kind of adventure you’re craving. Dreaming of clear blue skies and legendary treks like the Inca Trail? The dry season from May to September is your perfect match. Prefer quieter trails, vibrant green landscapes, and the romance of rain-kissed jungles? Head over between November and April, when Peru’s rainy season reveals its lush, serene side. With its diverse climates and year-round allure, Peru has something magical to offer every month. Ready to find your perfect time to explore? Let’s dive into the seasons and uncover the adventures that await!
January: Start the year with lush landscapes and fewer crowds in Peru
This is mid-summer in Peru, and the country is in full holiday mode. Down on the coast is the tropical climate of Lima and Iquitos — perfect beach weather. It’s also a good time to visit the desert, and admire the dunes and sunsets at Huacachina or Paracas. Beware: January signals the start of the wet season for the highlands of the Andes, as well as the Amazon. If you’re visiting Cusco, Machu Picchu or indeed, venturing into the jungle, do so with the knowledge that the weather will be wet and a little muddy. With fewer tourists and more affordable hotel rates, January is a great month if you don’t mind the rain.
February: Experience Peru’s vibrant festivals and colorful traditions
February is very similar to January in that the climate is tropical in the lowlands, rainy in the Andes and Amazon, and the Inca Trail may very well be closed due to mud. Also, be prepared to hike in the rain, which can be heavy, and of course, everything from campsites to hotels to, again, trails, can be extremely muddy. That said, February is also the month of Carnival in much of the country—expect music, dancing, and a wide range of cultural demonstrations, especially in the Andes. Good fun, even if it’s raining.
March: Discover Peru’s awakening beauty as the rainy season fades
March brings an early break in the weather (largely in the Andes), with declining rainfall and, thus favorable trekking conditions. The trails start to dry up and there will be slightly less mud to navigate. Fewer tourists too, so this is an excellent time to explorewhat to see in Peru without the crowds. It’s one of the best times of the year for trekking if you want to avoid both the rain and the other visitors.
April: Perfect weather for exploring Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley
April starts to see the end of the wet season, particularly in the Amazon basin. The continued heavy downpours over the last few months gradually lessen, leaving the region looking beautiful and green. The highlands are still fairly rainy but if the odd shower doesn’t bother you, then April is a great time to be in the Amazon basin and also a perfect time for relaxing visits to less-visited towns with few tourists around. The temperatures are warm both in the highlands and lowlands. Many southern hemisphere schools begin their break during this month so it is a good time to visit while there are minimum numbers of tourists here and you will have a relaxing, quiet time.
May: Clear skies and stunning views—ideal for trekking adventures
As the rains ease off, the weather in Peru in May becomes transitional, moving from wet to dry. Everything is still fairly lush and green, though the trail conditions will be getting a little easier to manage. There aren’t as many tourists around as during the peak months but there are still enough that you will need to book in advance for the best places to stay in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. The weather in the Andes is getting a little cooler and things are nice and dry, meaning that your outdoor activities – be that hiking, sightseeing or just walking around the town – will be much more enjoyable. The land is probably still lush and green, making for great photos and a pleasant time from your base in Cusco, the cultural heart of the country.
June: Celebrate the Inti Raymi Festival and explore Peru’s heritage
Come June, the touring season is in full effect, and so are the hordes of people. Picking June for an Inca Trail Cusco holiday equates to extremely high visitor numbers, with escalating lodging prices. Yet June is Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun in Cusco, and the streets are filled with parties, parades, and all manner of celebrations.
The Highlands are jaw-droppingly gorgeous, with deep blue skies and fields of green as the backdrop to this epic event. Cusco is the main hub of the festival, and performances, processions, and traditional events are everywhere you look. It certainly is a crowded time of year for the destination beaches and some of the islands, though, besides that, the weather is ideal. If you can stand the crowds, then head to Cusco, where the festival is based.
July: Peak season for sunny skies and cultural experiences in Peru
The weather is dry, the high season is in full swing, and the crowds are the largest they’ll be all year. Peru’s climate in July has cool, dry conditions perfect for trekking and is also the best time of year to visit Peru for anyone looking to see the country’s icons sites—most notably Inca ruins like Machu Picchu, Cusco, and the Sacred Valley—without the risk of showers. In this hemisphere, it is winter so it can get cold, especially in the Andes. But the sun shines strong during the day and late afternoons are comfortably cool, as long as there is no rain, of course.
The high season also means many events and cultural activities like local festivals, as well as traditional music, dance, and folkloric shows. Outdoors, from trekking to mountain biking, conditions are near-perfect. Still, if you want to avoid the masses, consider a visit to some of the smaller or less-visited sites where the weather is just as perfect as it is in the country’s iconic spots.
August: Adventure-filled month with excellent hiking conditions
The weather in August in Peru, like July, is dry and cool, ideal for trekking and visiting villages and cities all over the country. Along with September, August is the best month for visiting Peru if you are planning to do a multi-day trek in the Andes mountains, whether it’s the Inca Trail or any of the others available.
Embracing the height of the Peruvian high season in August means succumbing to the masses at tourist meccas like Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and Cusco. If you’re prepared to deal with the crowds, as well as the priciest accommodations and other tourist services of the year, then you will have a great time exploring the sites of this thriving, and, in some places, burgeoning nation. Whether your idea of exploring is taking a walk through colorful Indigenous markets or hitting the trail for a multiple-day trek, there is no shortage of adventure in Peru during August.
September: Enjoy quieter trails and Peru’s picturesque spring landscapes
September is the final month of the dry season in the Andes, and while it is not as ideal as the previous months, it’s close. Temperatures begin to rise as the end of the cold period approaches. The popular trekking trails remain in good condition including around Machu Picchu. There is also a drop in visitor numbers allowing more space for sightseeing fun. For those who enjoy the dry conditions but rather not have as many crowds, September is a great time to visit. There are less travelers but the weather is still perfect for exploring outside. Rain showers will begin to be more common in the Amazon region towards the later part of the month, though overall it is a great option for those looking to head outdoors.
October: A great time to explore Peru with pleasant weather and fewer crowds
The weather in Peru in October is much wetter than September. Rain showers are commonplace in the Andes and Amazon, with frequent downpours. The coast is generally dry but the highlands and the jungle are less appealing for hikers. However, October is a nice time to visit other parts of the country, specifically if you have less of an aversion to rain and desire a more off-beaten-trail experience. The rain has just begun and for those looking for a quieter or cheaper trek, this is the last chance of the year to experience a rain-free trail. Meanwhile, the mountains will be bright green with rain-fed waterfalls. Trails are damp, so treks are possible but may be soggy with showers. Rain may affect your outside activities, especially if you are planning to explore the Inca Trail or Machu Picchu. Near the Amazon, it can be quite wet as well, though even more beautiful. A bit of rain gear and you can trek to the rainforest during the shoulder season. There are fewer tourists there as well.
November: Warm weather and lush greenery—ideal for nature lovers
November is a bit of an outlier month for Peru, where weather ranges from mild high-altitudes to coastal cities like Lima as well as a slight lessening in the rain in the Amazon as it slowly enters its drier season. It’s a good time to visit Peru for those that want reduced crowds and decent weather since it’s after the tourist high season but enjoyably dry and warm in much of the country.
Highland weather is comfortable, making it a good time of year to sightsee and trek, as the rains are lighter. If you’re making a trip to Cusco or the Sacred Valley expect far fewer travelers than in the summer month, meaning less congestion at the major sights. If you’re thinking of hitting the coastal desert, it’s a great time with sunny skies and warm temperatures. It’s a great time to check out the beaches or take a coastal excursion.
December: Celebrate the festive season in Peru’s magical highlands
December is the start of the summer season in Peru, especially on the coast. Temperatures start to climb in Lima and other coastal places, making it an ideal time of year to take a trip to Peru to enjoy the coastal beaches and deserts and get to know the coastal cities. That said, it’s the beginning of vacation travel season, and for those wanting to take a tour of mid-December until New Year’s, rates rise, and sights become busy.
While the coast is in its dry season, the highlands will be coming into warm temperatures and occasional rain. Visitors to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley during this time should expect a chance for showers, but usually these are short-lived. In the Amazon, it starts getting wetter again, with rain and humidity also starting to rise, which can affect tours.
Final thoughts on when to visit Peru
For sunshine, clear skies, rain-free trekking, and less competition on the trails, you’ll want to visit during the dry season, from May to September. For easy exploration and peace of mind, book a group tour of Peru, which typically cover popular destinations like Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and yes, Machu Picchu. All-inclusive experiences in Peru make it easy to go where you want with locals who know what they’re talking about and show you the way. Staying longer? Book for November or April, so you won’t get rained out and you can see almost-as-empty hotspots. Wondering exactly how to get to Machu Picchu? You can take the train through the Andes or try an adventure trek through the Inca trail; the journey will be just as exciting as reaching your destination.
Really, the best time to visit Peru is one that fully fits your interest – be it perfect trekking weather, avoiding tourists or immersing into local culture with one of the many festivals and traditions. But whatever time you choose, one thing is for sure: You’ll never forget your journey in the magic country of Peru, no matter when it may be.
