Best time to visit Peru

It isn’t easy to generalise due to regional variations in climate and weather, but overall the best time to visit Peru is in the dry season which runs from May to October, also the high season for visitors to Peru.

Regional climate variations

The weather is a definite factor in choosing when to holiday in Peru and as climate varies between regions, where you go will be your best guide for when you go.

Peru's seasons

Peru has two clear seasons, the dry and the rainy. They vary in intensity across the country but have certain similarities.

Dry season

May to October is Peru’s dry season when the weather is kinder to travellers enjoying outdoor activities in the mountains and jungle. Temperatures on the coast are cooler in the dry season and rain is a possibility.

Rainy season

The rainy season, November to April, is a good time to visit the capital and coast where rainfall, although greater than at other times, is still slight and temperature peak December to March. The rainy season is not great for outdoor activities in the Andes or Amazon.

Peru's weather by region

Peru can be divided into three main regions for the purpose of climate, with pros and cons for different months, as outlined below.

Offering to Pachamama at Ausangate, Peru

The Andes

From June to September days are likely to be sunny and dry, so ideal for trekking and enjoying the outdoors. Nights are cold, so you need to be prepared with warm clothes. The main rainfall is from December to March and can make conditions tricky. The shoulder months of April, May, October and November can be good, too, though you should expect some rain. The Inca Trail is closed each February and we do not recommend it in January or March when damage can be done to the trail.

Forested riverbank in Tambopata Reserve, Peru

The Amazon

The Amazon can be visited at any time of year with little variation in daytime temperature, usually in the 30s °c, due to its proximity to the equator. High humidity and Rain should be expected at all times of year and rainfall peaks between November and April. August to October are best for observing macaws at the clay licks while May to October is prime rafting time on the Apurimac River.

The Coast

The climate of the coastal regions is sub-tropical and dry, and the rainy season has little effect. The best time to visit to enjoy beach time is between December and March when 30 °c is often reached. During Peru’s winter, June to September, temperature can fall as low as 15°c and mist, known as garua, and rain are more likely.