Are you planning a vacation and not sure where to go? Most people have South America on their travel list; the continent has a wide variety of things to do in all its countries. And Peru is the icing on the cake in any South American journey. So, know what is the best time to visit Peru!
The Andean country has an exotic Amazon, a high and dry mountain range, and a warm and humid coast. Practically, visitors can enjoy it by each of them any time of the year.
But, be careful! Peru is so megadiverse that it seems to have three different countries in its territory. Each with a completely different climate. While you visit a Peruvian attraction with blue skies and bright sunshine, your next visit may be under rain and cloudy skies.
Thus, we’ll go through the best seasons to visit the magical Andean country with Machu Travel Peru experts! In this article, you’ll find tips, and advice to enjoy a perfect experience in Peru!
Everything you must know about the seasons in Peru and what is the best one to visit it
- Best time to visit Peru
- 3 Peruvian Regions
- The dry season
- The rainy season
- The Intermediate season
- Best time to visit Peru with fewer people
- Best time to visit Peru with low price
- Best time for hiking in Peru
Best time to visit Peru
Bearing in mind that the most visited Peruvian attractions are in the Andes, the best time to visit Peru is from May to September. Specifically, it is in May, during the dry or winter seasons. This is due to clear and blue skies, a warm climate, and a majority absence of rain. So, this season will guarantee perfect photos, postcards, and memories.
But remember, if you want to visit the Andes, prepare yourself by acclimatizing your body and avoiding altitude sickness! Moreover, while the best time to visit the Andes is from May to September, it is the worst time to visit the Peruvian coast. The coast has beautiful beaches in the north, deserts, oases, and the fabulous Nazca lines.
As you can see, the best time to visit this country depends on the attraction location and the season.
Peruvian season overview
The best time to visit the Andes and the Amazon is from April to November (the dry season). With clear skies and cool breezes. On the other hand, from December to March (the rainy season), you will find cloudy skies, heavy rain, and muddy roads.
Note that the Andes host the majority of Inca archaeological places in all of Peru. We can mention Ollantaytambo, Cusco, Sacsayhuaman, and others. For its part, the Amazon hosts the majority of Nature Reserve and Parks like Manu, Tambopata, and Pacaya-Samiria.
On the contrary, the best time to visit the Peruvian coast is between December and March, the summer season. This season presents clear skies, hot weather, and the presence of sun every day. For the rest of the year, the cost will suffer from cloudy skies, cold, fog, and drizzle. Note that the coast hosts the most beautiful beaches and paradise of Perú.
3 Peruvian regions
As we mentioned before, Andean has three natural regions. These are the coast (board the Pacific Ocean), the Andean Highlands, and the Peruvian jungle (to the east end). The Andes cross longitudinal the Peruvian territory from north to south and cause these natural areas. Each one of these shows different Peruvian weather; consequently, each one presents a different season for visiting them.
A. The coast
This is a desert strip that borders the Pacific Ocean (east end) with an elevation of around 150 – 600 m.a.s.l. Usually, the north coast is hotter than the south coast, but both have a temperature of around 25-35 ºC throughout the year.
The south and center coasts reach their peak heat between December to March. This season coincides with the summer in Peru. And this is perfect for visiting attractions like the Nazca Lines and the Huacachina Oasis.
These popular places in Peru include Arequipa beaches, Paracas National Reserve, Ballestas islands, and Lima’s restaurants. The rest of the year, cloudy skies, humidity, and a misty gray fog called “Garúa” that covers their sky are present.
On the other side, the north coast has sunny days and clear skies most of the year. Mancora, Lobitos, and Cabo Blanco, among others, are its most representative beaches in Peru. Many of them have nothing to envy about the paradisiacal islands of the Caribbean of Central America.
B. The Andes
This mountain range is between the Peruvian coast and the Amazon jungle, with an elevation of 600 and 6768 m.a.s.l. Snow-capped peaks, mountain chains, and inter-Andean valleys are the most important characteristics here. The area presents temperatures around 05 – 25 ºC.
The months between December to March are the coldest. The temperature can drop to 15º C during the day and 0 ºC at night. Even this sensation can continue until May, besides rains and grey days.
Between April and November, the dry season is present. It has clear and sunny days and a pleasant climate that doesn’t drop below 15 ºC. Local tour guides recommend visiting Peru’s Mountain ranges and Amazon region during the dry season for the best experience.
The Andes cities like Cusco, Puno, and Ayacucho host colonial structures and archaeological rests. We refer to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca, among others.
C. The Peruvian Jungle
The Peruvian Amazon is at the east end of the Peruvian territory. It borders Colombia, Brazil, and Bolivia and has an altitude between 80 and 3800 m.a.s.l. There is a low jungle of 80 to 800 m.a.s.l and a high jungle of 800 to 3800 m.a.s.l. The Amazon has subtropical weather with temperatures around 20 to 32 ºC.
Between November and March, hard rains occur throughout the entire Amazon. Therefore, the experts don’t recommend visiting it during this wet season. For the rest of the year, from April to October, clear skies and humid and hot breezes will be present.
And it is the perfect moment to enjoy the jungle and the biodiversity in Peru. However, rainfalls can be also present during the afternoons during this period.
The weather in the Peruvian Amazon is similar to the Andes but different from the coast. Thus, the majority of travelers who visit the Andes take advantage of visiting the Amazon rainforest, too.
The dry season
Between May to September, the Andes and Peruvian Amazon have their dry season. This means a lack of rain, clear and sunny days, dry paths and routes, and warm breezes. Instead, the coast presents opaque and gray days with cold, humid winds. The temperature is around 18 to 25 ºC in the Andean Highlands. And from 18 to 30 ºC in the Peruvian Amazon.
So you will have perfect photos, a memorable experience, and secure trekking over paths. It’s best to visit early in the morning (6:00 am to 10:00 am) or during lunchtime (1:00 to 3:00 pm). Because there are not many people, you can enjoy the entire Inca citadel.
Also, we recommend spending 1 to 2 weeks in Peru during July and August. You’ll enjoy all the natural, archaeological, and even cultural attractions that the Andean country has to show you.
The dry season is Peru’s tourist peak season. It is a great time to visit Andean cities like Cusco, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac. We can also mention Arequipa (Colca Valley) and Puno (Titicaca Lake).
Visiting Peru during this season is perfect because you will enjoy festivities such as the Inti Raymi. This was the most important Inca festivity in honor of the Sun God. The current Cusqueños stage it every June 24th in Sacsayhuaman Park.
Another important event is the Virgen del Carmen festivity in Cusco town’s Paucartambo on July 15. Color, topical dances, and delicious food you’ll find in this quaint Andes town.
Also, when planning a trip to Peru Amazon, you should pay attention to important Peruvian jungle cities. We refer to Puerto Maldonado with Tambopata National Reserve and Manu National Park. Or we can mention Iquitos with Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Not forgetting Kuelap Citadel in Chachapoyas City.
The rainy season
The rainy season occurs between December and March throughout all of the Andean Highlands and the Peruvian Amazon. Torrential rains, cloudy skies, icy winds, and humidity, besides muddy paths, are the most common facts here. Of course, the crowd of people is minimal.
Instead, the coast has sunny and clear skies with humid and warm weather and fresh breezes. Consequently, there are many more people. The temperature range is 0 – 18º C in the Andean and from 15 – 20 ºC in the Peruvian Amazon.
This season is perfect for visiting beautiful Peruvian beaches. In this one, we can mention Mancora, Cabo Blanco, Zorritos, and Vichayito among others. Even more, you can enjoy pieces of jewelry on the coast of cities like Chan-Chan, Paracas, and the Lord of Sipan Museum. Without mentioning the famous Nazca lines!
The cities on the Peruvian coast are Lima, the capital of Peru, Ica, Trujillo, Piura, and Tumbes.
The Intermediate season
These three months represent the transition from rainy to dry season and vice versa. Some experts indicate that this season is the perfect time to visit Peru since there are not many tourists.
A. April
In this month, the rainy season is ending and the fields and forests are greener and lusher in the Andes and Amazonia. In addition, the sun comes out again amidst clearer skies and the weather is cooler. Of course, the crowds of visitors are non-existent. On the coast, you will still find clear skies and warm weather before entering the rainy season.
B. October and November
These months represent the time before the rains. The sun still prevails, and the weather is getting cooler in the Andes and the Amazon. The crowds of visitors in the high season are decreasing. In the case of the Coast, the clouds are clearing, the skies are clearer, and we are entering the summer.
Best time to visit Peru with fewer people
Regarding the Andes and Peruvian Amazon. If you don’t like crowds and don’t mind getting a little wet, October to April are your ideal months. Of course, between these months, it rains, and you may find cloudy skies.
Visit the northern beaches or Nazca lines between May and September for a less crowded experience on the coastline. Of course, you will find overcast skies, cold water, and freezing humidity.
Best time to visit Peru with low price
The rainy season, besides a few visitors, is a great period for offers and promotions! During this shoulder season, travel agencies, hotels, and restaurants lower prices to attract more customers. As already mentioned, the rainy season goes from December to March.
Of course, these tourist offers and promotions are perfect for people who don’t mind getting a little wet.
Best time for hiking in Peru
We begin by saying that January and February are the months with the most rain in the year. Consequently, the paths and trails used to be unstable with mud and sludge, as well as landslides. Moreover, February is dangerous and not recommendable for hike fans. The famous Inca Trail even closes this month.
Instead, the perfect months are May, June and July. During these months, the possibility of seeing rain is null, especially on the mountain peaks. So, you will enjoy great views without any concerns during the climb on these paths and at the same mountain peaks.
“OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO”
In conclusion, with a variety of climates and many cool things to do, any season of the year to visit Peru is good. Your decision to visit this magical country will depend on when you plan to visit this Andean country.
We hope together with the experts of Machu Travel Peru to have been of help. With so many places to visit in Peru, you can explore Peru at any time of year. Book a trip today.
