Discover the optimal time to experience the wonders of Peru

Peru boasts a trio of diverse landscapes, from the scorching coastal desert to the snow-capped Andean mountains and the luscious rainforest cut through by powerful rivers. Regardless of the time of year, it's always a great time to visit Peru!

This land is steeped in tradition and peppered with festivals, with at least one vibrant celebration happening each week. Whether you're a lover of city life and delicious food, making a stop in the famed culinary hub of Lima, or an adventurer on the Inca Trail, you'll find everything you need to plan your ultimate Peru vacation here.

The ideal time for Andean and Amazonian adventures is from June to August. International travelers prefer Peruvian winter not only for its coincidence with their holiday period but also for the crystal-clear weather that bathes the Andes, home to the country's top tourist sights, in sharp sunlight. The terrain is dry and perfect for exploring, and fascinating festivals abound.

Cuzco, the ancient Incan capital, attracts the most attention, along with the nearby Sacred Valley. The area is dotted with picturesque gorges and Inca ruins woven throughout, leading up to the spectacular Machu Picchu. The big hikes, including the famous Inca Trail and others in the Sacred Valley and Cordilleras Huayhuash and Blanca, are breathtaking in the sunshine, but hiking season is at its peak, and the paths can get crowded.

Festival enthusiasts will have ample opportunity to participate in fabulous fiestas held in Cuzco and other regional towns almost daily. One not to miss is the Inti Raymi, the Inca celebration of the winter solstice. Further south in the Andes lies the glimmering Lake Titicaca, with its beautiful and traditional islands.

The dry season also occurs in the Amazon Basin. The cloud forest's sunnier weather entices birds, including Peru's national bird, the bright orange-red Andean cock-of-the-rock, to come out and mate. Wildlife is easier to spot in the low jungle, and river trips along the Tambopata, near Puerto Maldonado, provide a multitude of sightings. The lower water levels make for excellent whitewater rafting conditions on the Apurimac near Cuzco and the Tambopata.

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Quiet Hikes and Surfing Without Crowds from September to November

During shoulder season, the Andes have clear, sunny days that last through September. Tourists who prefer the mountains to themselves will find utter solitude on many hiking routes. While the Inca Trail is always crowded, alternative treks like the Salkantay Trek let you lose the crowds, allowing you to traverse a 4660m (2.9-mile) pass higher than any point on the Inca Trail. September also marks the end of the jungle’s dry season, which makes it the perfect time to try rainforest trekking or take a boat trip to Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado for wildlife-watching before the spring rains make it trickier to travel.

As the interior decreases in action, it is pre-peak season on the coast. Late spring is when the thick garúa (coastal fog) that envelopes Lima since July begins to lift. However, it is worth visiting Peru's dynamic gastronomic capital earlier in September when it bustles with fabulous Mistura, a food festival showcasing the nation’s exceptionally varied cuisine.

Temperature gets higher on the country's sandy beaches. However, the masses have not yet checked in, with November being the cresting best for waves at Peru’s best surfing spots, which include the home of the planet’s longest left wave in Puerto Chicama.

December to February for Beach Lovers

The best time to see Peru’s paradisiacal sandy strands at their best is from December to February, with sunbathing on the searingly warm northern beaches being delightful. Temperature usually ranges between 30°C to 40°C (86°F to 104°F), and crowds flock to see-and-be-seen resorts like trendy Máncora. It is also the peak surfing season, but for a different coastal experience try a boat trip to the rarely glimpsed mangrove forests near Tumbes or to the rocky sealife sanctuary of Islas Ballestas near Paracas where sea lion pups are born in January.

From Paracas, take a straight shot inland to Peru’s most colossal dunes at Huacachina, where sandboarding down is the coastal region’s greatest adrenaline rush. Lima is mostly garúa-free, so seize the opportunity and try activities like paragliding over the city. The wet season is at its height inland, and the Inca Trail is closed through February.

March to May for Budget Travelers and Festival Fanatics

If you're not a fan of the summer crowds, plan your Peruvian adventure between January and May. With the exception of the lively Semana Santa festivities, this is a budget-friendly time to explore Peru. The coast still enjoys pleasant weather through March, and deals abound as popular attractions seek to attract visitors. Despite improving weather conditions in the Andes and Amazon, this isn't peak season, which means you can expect lower rates for accommodations and tours.

The grape harvest season in Ica's coastal region is a highlight of this time, with the Fiesta de la Vendimia celebration in full swing. Meanwhile, May boasts a variety of colorful festivals, including the Señor de Muruhuay pilgrimage near Tarma and the Fiesta de las Cruces in cities like Cuzco, Ayacucho, and Lima.

January

January is the ideal time to hit the beach, with dry, sunny weather and bustling resorts along the coast. On the popular Islas Ballestas, you can spot adorable sea lion pups. However, the mountains and jungle may not appeal to trekkers who dislike muddy roads and trails.

Key events: Año Nuevo (New Year; best celebrated in Huancayo), Anniversary of the Foundation of Lima (Lima)

February

While February brings heavy rains to the Andes, the coast is still warm and inviting. This is the perfect time to check out the seaside, as the Inca Trail is officially closed due to the deluges. Don't miss out on the country's biggest party, the Carnavales, as it runs from late February to early March.

Key events: Festival de Verano Negro (Chincha), Carnaval, Festival of Virgen de la Candelaria (Puno)

March

Coastal weather remains sunny, with water temperatures prime for swimming. However, it's the end of the season here. Meanwhile, the Andes are greening up as the worst of the rain passes. On the Inca Trail, orchids bloom, while Amazonian birds engage in mating rituals. Near the coast, grapes ripen on vines, and Semana Santa festivities begin.

Key events: Festival de Verano Negro (Chincha), Carnaval, Fiesta de la Vendimia, Semana Santa

April

If you want to mix beach and mountain adventures, April is the ideal time to do so. The rainforest is still damp, and temperatures are dropping on the coast. However, tourism is picking back up in Cuzco and the Andes, thanks to increasingly balmy mountain weather and Semana Santa celebrations.

Key events: Semana Santa

May

May is a fantastic time to discover Peru. The Andes are sunny and dry, but with fewer crowds than you'll see in June and July. In the southern Amazon Basin, water levels drop, coaxing out more river and bird life. Across the country, you'll find plenty of festivals to enjoy.

June

The interior of Peru experiences dry and clear weather during peak season, although nights can be chilly as it's also winter in the country. Tourists flock to the drier weather of the Amazon, while festivals rage in both zones. The beaches see fewer visitors due to milder, foggier weather.

Key events: Fiesta de las Cruces (Lima, Cuzco, Ayacucho), Noche en Blanco (Lima), Q’oyoroti (Ausangate, near Cuzco)

July

The high season continues with optimal weather in the mountains and jungle – sunny, crisp, and clear – perfect for admiring the Andes at their finest (but beware of snow at high altitudes). Meanwhile, the Amazon experiences its driest weather (although still pretty moist) with animals visible along riverbanks on boat trips. However, Lima struggles with the garúa this month.

Key events: La Virgen del Carmen (Paucartambo and Pisac, near Cuzco)

August

Steady weather dominates the Andes and the Amazon with temperatures reaching a high of 20°C (68°F) in Cuzco, slightly warmer in the jungle metropolis of Iquitos. August marks the end of the high season in these regions, and festivities are easier to come by in the quieter month.

Key events: Fiesta de Santa Rosa de Lima (Lima, Arequipa)

September

Shoulder season in Peru brings forth favorable spring weather in the Andes and the Amazon and improving conditions along the coast. Take advantage of the dwindling dry season by embarking on a mountain hike or jungle trek.

Key events: Mistura (Lima)

November

As rains and stormy skies return to the Andes and Amazon, the coast enters a pleasant late spring. From now through April, surfers return to the increasingly wild waves of the beaches, while the Andes and the Amazon become generally a washout.

Key events: Todos Santos, Día de los Muertos

December

High season arrives, beckoning beach-goers to the stunning coastline. Lima basks in temperatures of 24°C (75°F), while areas towards the equator only grow warmer. The Andes and the Amazon face increased precipitation, rendering them generally difficult to traverse.

Key events: Fiesta de la Purísima Concepción

This article originally appeared in March 2021 and was updated in November 2022.