For most trips the best time to visit Peru is the Andean dry season, roughly May to September, when Cusco, Machu Picchu and the trekking routes have clear skies. But Peru has three very different climates (coast, highlands and Amazon), so the right month depends on where you are going. The shoulder months of April and October often give the best balance of weather, prices and crowds.
In this section
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GuidePeru Weather by Region
A region-by-region guide to Peru's weather, with the patterns that matter for sightseeing, trekking and travel days.
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GuidePeru's Dry Season
Clear skies and the best trekking conditions, with the biggest crowds and the coldest nights.
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GuidePeru's Rainy Season
Green landscapes, fewer people and lower prices, in return for rain, mud and the occasional blocked road.
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GuidePeru in January
Beaches and Lima at their warmest, the Andes in full rain, and the Amazon high and steamy.
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GuidePeru in February
The wettest month in the highlands, with the classic Inca Trail shut and Peru's loudest festivals in full swing.
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GuidePeru in March
Lush landscapes, the Inca Trail back on, harvest festivals in Ica and rains that fade in the second half of the month.
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GuidePeru in April
Fading rains, green mountains, fewer crowds than June and the processions of Holy Week.
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GuidePeru in May
Dry air, open trekking routes and a pilgrimage in the snow, with prices a step below June.
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GuidePeru in June
Cusco's biggest festival, brilliant mountain days and a month where late bookers lose out.
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GuidePeru in July
The busiest month for both foreign and Peruvian travellers, with the best mountain weather and the coldest nights.
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GuidePeru in August
Dry and busy, with Andean traditions in the foreground and dust and wind in the air.
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GuidePeru in September
Often the best all-round month: dry mountains, warming days and the crowds easing off.
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GuidePeru in October
A Lima-centred month with a famous procession, changeable mountain weather and good value.
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GuidePeru in November
The quietest, cheapest stretch before Christmas, for travellers who will trade certainty for value.
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GuidePeru in December
Festive and sunny on the coast, wetter in the mountains, and expensive in the last week.
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GuidePeru Month by Month: Weather and Crowds
A two-month-at-a-time comparison of weather, crowds, festivals and suitable trips for the Andes, the coast, the Amazon and the trekking regions.
Three climates in one country
Peru is long, tall and crossed by the Andes, so its weather does not follow one calendar. The Pacific coast, including Lima, is a desert strip where the grey, damp winter and the sunny summer are almost the reverse of what travellers expect. The highlands, where Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and Huaraz sit, have a dry season and a rainy season. The Amazon basin is hot and humid all year, with wetter and drier stretches that change the river levels.
That is why a question like "is June a good month?" has no single answer. June is excellent for trekking in the Andes, grey and cool in Lima, and fine for the Amazon. The guides in this section break the question down by region, by season and by month so you can match your own plans to the right pattern.
The seasons in short
The Andean dry season, from about May to September, brings sunny days, cold nights and the busiest period for Machu Picchu and the main treks. The rainy season, from about November to March, turns the mountains green, thins out the crowds and brings afternoon downpours, with the heaviest rain usually in January and February. April and October are transition months, and many experienced visitors like them for exactly that reason.
On the coast the pattern runs differently: roughly December to April is warm and sunny, while the rest of the year is often under a low layer of cloud. The northern beaches around Máncora are at their best in the warm months. The full breakdown is in weather by region.
How to choose your month
Start with the one thing you cannot compromise on. If it is a multi-day trek or a clear view of the peaks, aim for the dry season and book early. If it is the lowest prices and quiet ruins, the rainy season can reward you, as long as you accept some weather risk and keep a spare day in your plan. Remember that altitude matters in any month, so give yourself time to adjust in Cusco. If you want a bit of everything, April, May, September and October are the safest bets.
Dates also matter for festivals. Inti Raymi in Cusco, the Fiestas Patrias in late July and the Lord of Miracles processions in Lima are worth planning around, and they also push up prices and fill hotels. Festivals and holidays lists the main ones.
Where to read next
For the detail behind each region, look at the weather by region. For the two big Andean seasons, see the dry season and the rainy season. If you already have a month in mind, each month has its own detail with the regions that are at their best, the ones to avoid and what to pack. Machu Picchu has its own best-time and weather information, because conditions at the citadel differ from Cusco.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest time to visit Peru?
Usually the rainy season in the Andes, especially January to March and November, when fewer people travel and hotels and tours discount. Expect more rain and a higher chance of transport delays.
Can I visit Peru at any time of year?
Yes. Something is always at its best, whether it is the coast in summer or the Andes in winter. The question is which regions you want to prioritise.
Is there a month that works for everything?
No single month is perfect for the coast, the highlands and the Amazon, but May and September come closest, with dry Andean weather and manageable crowds.
Is June a good month to visit Peru?
Yes for the Andes, where June is dry and ideal for trekking, and for the Amazon. Lima is grey and cool at that time, so it suits the highlands better than the coast. For the detail, see June.
Is January a bad month to visit Peru?
It is the wettest month in the southern Andes, so views can be cloudy and trains or roads occasionally disrupted. The coast, by contrast, is warm and sunny. For the trade-offs, see January.
What is the best month for Machu Picchu?
The dry months, from May to September, give the clearest views but the biggest crowds. April and October are a good compromise. See the Machu Picchu best-time.