When is The Best Times to Visit Peru for Good Weather and Fewer Travelers

The best time to visit Peru is from May to September during the country's dry season. During this period, you would have sunny days with a blue sky, offering amazing views of the mountains with less fog at Machu Picchu. You would likely enjoy a crystal-clear view of the Lost City of the Incas.

However, this is also the peak travel season. Expect long lines and crowds at Machu Picchu. Entry tickets and travel permits are sold out quickly. We suggest that you book your hotels and secure permits for Machu Picchu or the Inca Trail at least 6 months in advance.

The weather differs greatly from region to region in Peru. There are three main regional kinds of weather in Peru: the cool weather of the Highlands, the tropical humid Amazon climate, and coastal desert weather.

See below some key facts on Peru's weather:

• Dry season: May to September
• Rainy season: October to April
• Wettest months: January and February
• Coldest month: June
• Summer season: December to March
• Winter season: May to September
• Shoulder season months: April and October

When Are the Best Months to Go to Peru?

The best time to visit Peru is from May to September for the sunniest and most comfortable weather. 

During these periods, you could expect clear skies as rain showers are rare. The rugged mountains stand out against the blue backdrop, offering breathtaking views.

The Amazon jungle is less humid during this time, with improved visibility. Days are warm while nights are cool and pleasant.

Peru's coast (including the cities of Lima, Nazca, Trujillo, and Chiclayo) is sunny and less humid. You would enjoy sun-soaked days with lower humidity and reduced fog. Temperatures generally range from about 21 to 30°C (70–86°F). Peru's coastal desert remains somewhat humid throughout the year, often shrouded in misty fog in other months.

See below some key facts on the best time to visit Peru:

• Best time to visit: May to September
• Average temperatures: The Andes / Machu Picchu: -5–21°C (23–70°F); the Amazon / Tambopata: 28–33°C (82–91°F); the coast / Lima: 21–30°C (70–86°F)
• Weather: Andes / Machu Picchu: sunny warm days and cold nights; the Amazon / Tambopata: hot days and cool nights; the coast / Lima: sunny with reduced fog
• Travel conditions: the busiest travel season, large crowds at Machu Picchu 

When Are the Best Times to Visit Machu Picchu?

The best times to visit Machu Picchu are in late April to May and September, which are in the dry season with the best weather conditions and scenery.

During these months, the weather is sunny and it rarely rains, with sunny warm days and cold nights. You would have a better view of the rugged mountain peaks against the blue sky. There would be less fog and you would have more chances to see the citadel clearly. April, May, September are also shoulder season months with fewer visitors.

June to August is also a good time to visit for the dry weather conditions but this is the busiest time of year. You may see larger crowds and long lines at Machu Picchu. Entrance tickets are hard to get and hotels are sold out earlier. If you plan to travel during this period, arrange everything, such as entrance tickets, travel permits, and hotels, about 6 months in advance.

The adjacent shoulder season months of October and November are also okay, but the weather becomes wetter.

December to March is the wettest period. There is constant rain and some very heavy showers during this time. It is foggy in Machu Picchu and your chance to see the citadel is lower. The Inca Trail is slippery. Temperatures could drop quickly when the sun hides behind the clouds. Machu Picchu closes in February each year.

When Are the Best Times to Visit Peru's Coast and Lima?

The best times to visit Peru's coast, including Lima, are from December to April. It is the coast's summer season. During summer, the weather is sunny and the cities are less humid and foggy. Temperatures usually range from 21°C to 30°C (70–86°F).

Lima is located on Peru's desert coast where rainfall is scarce but humidity is high for most of the year.

The months between summer and winter, May and November, are also not bad months to visit. You would experience a mix of cooler, cloudy days and warmer, clear days during this time.

The worst months for the weather conditions are from May to November when Lima is enveloped in a dense gray mist known as garua to the locals. This mist can make the city feel clammy and uncomfortable.

June, July, and August are the busiest months in Lima due to the dry season for hiking on Machu Picchu. Hotels and top restaurants are in high demand during this period, so you need to book in advance. 

When Are the Best Times to Visit the Peruvian Amazon?

The ideal months to visit the Peruvian Amazon are May and June. During these months, the water levels are still high, which is perfect for boat trips, and there is less rainfall. The increased water level also attracts more active animals around water bodies. You would find fewer mosquitoes during this period.

The Amazon jungle is hot and humid all year round, with an average temperature of about 25°C (77°F). The region experiences two main seasons: the high-water season and the low-water season. The high-water season is from December to May when there are frequent showers, especially from December to March. This is, of course, the worst time to visit. The low-water season is from June to December.

See below a summary of the best times to visit the Amazon:

• The best times to visit: May and June
• The worst times to visit: December to March
• Average temperature: 25°C (77°F)\

When Are the Best Times to Hike the Inca Trail?

If you're planning to hike the Inca Trail, the best times are late April to May and September. During these times, you could enjoy the dry season with fewer fellow travelers on the trail. June, July, and August are also good choices thanks to the sunny weather, but keep in mind that these are the busiest months.

Late April to May: In late April, the heavy rains stop and the weather becomes dry. There may be some light rain in the afternoons, but heavy rain is rare. The mountains are lush and green after the rainy season. It is the shoulder season and the Inca Trail is still quiet before the summer vacation crowds arrive.  A permit for the trek is easier to get. The average temperature ranges from 2°C to 20°C (36–68°F).

September: September is the last month of the dry season. The weather is still dry most of the time. You may experience early rains at the end of this month. The crowds at Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail are reduced. Expect mild/warm days and cold nights with temperatures ranging from 2°C to 23°C (36–73°F).

When Are the Best Times to Visit Rainbow Mountain?

Rainbow Mountain is at a high altitude in the Andes, so the weather there is crucial to its enjoyment. There are dry and rainy seasons in this mountainous region. The best times to visit Rainbow Mountain are at the peak of the dry season from June to September. During these months, the weather is sunny with warm days reaching around 20°C (68°F) and cold nights dipping to an average of 2°C (36°F), so you would have the best chance to get a clear view of the mountain's colors.

The rainy season from December to March is not a good time to visit as it is very humid. There are also mists around and the visibility is poor. The trekking trail to the mountain is muddy and slippery.

When Are the Worst Times to Visit Peru?

The worst times to visit Peru are in the wettest months of January and February. Half of the days during these months have heavy showers. The roads in the mountains may be blocked due to flooding, rock falls, and mudslides. The visibility is poor and Machu Picchu is covered in mists most of the time. It is very possible that you would not get a glimpse of the Lost City of the Incas.

The rainfall could make the steps on the Inca Trail slippery and unsafe. In addition, Machu Picchu closes in February for maintenance.

June, July, and August are also some of the worst times if you would be troubled by the huge crowds. There may be long lines and huge crowds at photo spots at Machu Picchu, so you would be quite rushed during your visit to the site.

When Is the Rainy Season in Peru?

The rainy season is from October to April when the climate in the Andes is very humid. Mid-December to February is the wettest time, during which about 20 days of each month have rainfall, which is sometimes heavy.

There are mild days and cool nights; daytime temperatures are about 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F) while nighttime temperatures are about 5°C to 10°C (41°F to 50°F)

It is misty and foggy, with low visibility in Machu Picchu and the Andes. The trails in the Inca are slippery. 

 However, this is the quietest time to visit Peru.  You won't see long lines in Machu Picchu. 

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