Best time to visit Peru
May to October. Month by month below, with the weather, what's on and what it costs to fly there from your city.
May to October
Most sources name the dry season, May to September or October, as the best time, mainly for Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Andes.
- “The dry season from May to September is recommended as the best time to visit Peru.” enchantingtravels.com
- “The best time to visit them is during the dry season, between May and September, or even October.” lesdeuxpiedsdehors.com
- “the best time to visit Peru is during the dry season from May to September.” bookmundi.com
8 of the 10 travel guides we read name these months.
Peru month by month
Average high and low in Lima, and days with rain
JanuaryChecking fares…Coastal Peru has beach weather in January.January and February bring the heaviest rain in Machu Picchu.Fiesta de la Candelaria · Pukllay carnival
FebruaryChecking fares…February is Carnival time, with parades in Cajamarca despite some rain.The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance.February is the hottest month, especially on the coast.Carnaval de Cajamarca
MarchChecking fares…March is the last month of the wet season, so rain is likely.Lima's coast is wettest in February and March.Semana Santa in Ayacucho · Señor de los TembloresAprilChecking fares…April ends the wet season and brings sunny days, good for hiking.
Best timeMayChecking fares…May and September give good weather with fewer crowds.Fiesta de la Cruz de Mayo · Qoyllur Rit'i pilgrimage
Best timeJuneChecking fares…Inti Raymi, the Inca festival, is held on 24 June.June to August are the most popular months, with tourism peaking.Q'eswachaka Bridge Renewal
Best timeJulyChecking fares…July is the coldest month, especially in the Andean highlands.July is dry in both the highlands and the Amazon.Virgen del Carmen of Paucartambo · Fiestas Patrias in Lima
Best timeAugustChecking fares…August is peak tourist season, with warm days and cold nights.August is dry, with clear skies for Andes hiking.Arequipa anniversary week
Best timeSeptemberChecking fares…September is warm and dry in most of the country.Festival Internacional de la Primavera
NovemberChecking fares…November starts the rainy season, but Lima stays dry.Puno Week and the arrival of Manco Cápac
DecemberChecking fares…December and January give very green scenery at Machu Picchu.Santurantikuy market
Weather: Lima averages from Deutscher Wetterdienst (1961 to 1990 averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.
Every date to Peru from your city
Live fares from your airport. Watch them and we alert you when they drop.
What's on in Peru
Festivals and seasons through the year
- Fiesta de la Candelaria
Pukllay carnival- Carnaval de Cajamarca
- Semana Santa in Ayacucho
Señor de los Temblores- Fiesta de la Cruz de Mayo
Qoyllur Rit'i pilgrimage
Corpus Christi in Cusco- Q'eswachaka Bridge Renewal
- Virgen del Carmen of Paucartambo
Fiestas Patrias in Lima- Arequipa anniversary week
- Festival Internacional de la Primavera
Señor de los Milagros- Puno Week and the arrival of Manco Cápac
- Santurantikuy market
Busy, quiet and what to watch for
Busiest
- June to AugustMost overseas visitors come, and Machu Picchu is crowded.
- June, July and AugustMachu Picchu peak season with more crowds.
Quietest
- November to FebruaryRainy season brings lower fares and hotel rates, mainly in the Andes and Amazon.
- December to MarchRainy season gives lush landscapes and fewer crowds.
Watch for
- FebruaryThe Inca Trail is closed for maintenance.
- January and FebruaryHeaviest rain, landslide risk and travel disruption.
- Rainy seasonRain can cause road or train delays from landslides near Machu Picchu.
- Cooler months on the coastLima stays overcast with damp mist called garua.
- Dry seasonNights are very cold around Cusco in June and July.
Questions people ask
- When not to go to Machu Picchu?
- Avoid January and February: heavy rain, landslide risk, and the Inca Trail is closed in February.
- What are the seasons in Peru?
- Two main seasons: wet, roughly November to March, and dry, April to October.
- What are the seasons in Peru?
- Peru has three regions, coast, Andes and Amazon, each with its own climate.
More about Peru
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