In a nutshell
- Peru doesn’t have four seasons. From May to October, Peru experiences its dry season; from November to April, it’s the rainy season.
- The best time to visit Peru is during May, September, and October — dry weather across nearly all regions and fewer crowds than peak season.
- Peru has three climate zones: the highlands, the Amazon, and the coast. For the highlands and the Amazon, the dry season is best; for the coast, the rainy season actually brings the sunniest skies. Plan your Peru trip around your priorities.
Climate in Peru at a Glance
Peru doesn’t have traditional seasons — instead, it has a dry season and a rainy season:
- Dry season: May through October
- Rainy season: November through April
Peru also consists of three climate zones:
- Coast (e.g. Lima, Paracas, Máncora)
- Highlands (e.g. Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain)
- Lowlands (Amazon region)
When is the best time to visit Peru?
The best time to visit Peru isn’t a simple answer — the country’s wildly varied climate means that the ideal month really depends on which region you’re planning to explore. Some months work great for one climate zone but are genuinely rough for another. So it all comes down to what you want to see on your trip to Peru.
That said, here are our picks for the best months to visit Peru if you want to cover as much ground as possible:
May, September, and October
These are something of transition months between the dry and rainy seasons. The weather across virtually all regions of Peru is quite dry, warm, and pleasant during this time.
We especially recommend these months if you’re doing a road trip through Peru and want to explore all corners of the country.
The Best Time to Visit Peru by Climate Zone
If your trip focuses on specific regions — say, the highlands and Machu Picchu — you’ll want to plan around the best weather conditions in that particular zone.
Here’s a closer look at when to visit each of Peru’s three climate zones.
The Highlands of Peru
Just about every traveler in Peru wants to visit Machu Picchu, and nobody wants to see the Inca ruins buried in fog and rain. That makes timing especially important for this region.
Machu Picchu sits in the highlands of Peru — the most popular travel destination in the country. It’s a stunning hiking region that’s home not only to Machu Picchu but to many of Peru’s most impressive highlights, including Cusco, Huaraz, Arequipa, and the Colca Canyon.
The Best Time to Visit the Highlands
- June, July, and August: lowest chance of rain, sunshine nearly every day. Not too hot, not too cold. That said, it’s peak season and there are plenty of tourists around.
- April, May, September, October: mostly sunny skies, warm temperatures, very little rain. Slightly fewer crowds than during peak season — a great sweet spot.
Worst Time to Visit the Highlands
- January and February: heavy rain and landslides are very common. Hiking trails are sometimes impassable. The Inca Trail is even closed during this period.
- November, December, and March: tricky months! The vegetation blooms beautifully and there are far fewer tourists. On the flip side, it can be overcast and rainy for days at a time.
Climate Chart for the Highlands
The Coastal Region of Peru
A large stretch of Peru runs along the Pacific coast, from the border with Chile in the south all the way up to Ecuador in the north.
Top spots along the coast include the Ica Desert in the south, the capital city Lima in the center, and the laid-back surf town of Máncora in the north.
To our tips for Lima:
The Best Time to Visit the Coastal Region
- December, January, February, March, April: warm temperatures, brilliantly blue skies, and rain is extremely rare. This is when the coast really shines.
- May, November: these months can be unpredictable. Sometimes the sun shines; other times cities and beaches are blanketed in fog.
Worst Time to Visit the Coastal Region
- June, July, August, September, October: The good news: rain is still rare, and temperatures rarely drop below 59°F (15°C). The catch: humidity is very high and the coast is usually covered in fog — so forget about great beach photos or soaking up the sun.
Climate Chart for the Coastal Region
The Amazon Region of Peru
The Amazon region is defined year-round by high humidity, hot temperatures, and heavy rainfall — truly tropical conditions through and through.
You can visit at any time of year since there are no extreme swings in temperature — though some months are still a better bet than others.
The Best Time to Visit the Amazon Region
- June, July, August, September, October, November: This is when the Amazon sees the least rainfall overall — though you should still expect some showers. Temperatures are a bit more moderate, and there are slightly fewer mosquitoes.
Worst Time to Visit the Amazon Region
- December, January, February, March, April, May: More precipitation falls during these months, leading to frequent high water and flooding. If you’re taking a river cruise, however, this will barely affect your experience.
Climate Chart for the Amazon Region
Which months should you avoid for a trip to Peru?
January and February are genuinely not a great time to go to Peru — at least not if Machu Picchu is on your list.
Rainfall in the mountains is very heavy during this period and landslides are common. The Inca Trail is closed entirely, and the other Machu Picchu hikes such as the Salkantay Trek can be seriously dangerous.
Read our safety tips for Peru as well:
