Visiting Peru In January: Everything You Need To Know

Is It Worth Visiting Peru In January?

Quick Answer: January marks the heart of the summer and rainy season for Peru, which brings its own unique benefits.

The hotter temperatures make visiting the coastal regions much better, and especially in Lima which can otherwise get chilly during other months of the year. Other usually popular destinations such as Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain are less busy given tourists don’t travel as much in the rainy season – however are still beautiful nonetheless with the surrounding Andean mists.

Costs of travelling to Peru in January are low in the middle and end of the month, although they will sharply rise in the first week during the New Year. It’s also important to know that this is one of the heaviest months of the year for rainfall, which will be expected in the Amazon regions (as well as a good chance of showers in Cusco and the Andes).

Important Things To Know:

• January is a summer month and thus has some of the warmest temperatures around Peru.
• Costs can be expensive during the first week (during New Years), but tend to fall back to normal around the middle of January.
• Rainfall can be heavy around the Jungle and Mountain regions, which also produces some really amazing landscapes during this month.

The Pros Of Visiting Peru In January:

• Given January is mostly low season, there will be less crowds around.
• Temperatures will be much warmer this month around Peru, and especially in the usually chillier Andes destinations.
• This month is perfect for spotting lots of rare wildlife, given the extra rains and more abundant fruits and food sources in various regions.

The Cons Of Visiting Peru In January:

• Heavy rains can be expected in most regions, which can sometimes cause flooding and logistical issues.
• Those dreaming of clear blue skies in Machu Picchu may want to avoid  this month given rains and mist are more likely (although these do produce their own unique photo opportunities anyhow).

Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Peru In January

Below we’ll now explore what Peru in January is like. This includes what the weather will be like, the best things to do during this month as well as a solid Peru packing list for January.

Best Things To Do In Peru In January 

This month is the perfect time to explore more outdoor vegetative scenery given the extra rains. This includes the green ruins of Moray and Pisac within the Sacred Valley, as well as epic forested views along the Classic Four Day Inca Trail. Again it’s good to know that showers are over quite quickly, before the sun once again comes out.

Exploring Lima and its attractions is also a great thing to do in January. This includes relaxing on beaches such as San Bartolo, as well as enjoying the highlights of Miraflores and nearby Ballestas Islands (close to Paracas). This month is also perfect for heading on a jungle tour in the Amazon, such as in Manu National Park where native bird species are more easily observed.

The Weather Of Peru In January

Overall we can expect warmer temperatures throughout Peru, given January is a summer season month.

This is especially true along the Pacific Coast, where cities like Lima are much hotter and are without the cloudy skies which hover above most days during the winter season. Huacachina and Arequipa will also be hot in the day (with less cold nights). Other regions will be typically warmer too.

We can also expect more rainfall all over the country, and especially within the Andes Mountains and Amazon Jungle regions. January is quite a particularly heavy month, although rainfall usually falls in sharp, short-lived showers.

Packing List For Peru In January

If you are looking to explore all of Peru (rather than just one or two regions), then you’re going to need a range of clothes regardless of the month.

In particular, Peru in January is even more true given the extra rainfall in both the jungle and mountain regions. Below we’ll share an ideal starting point for getting together your own Peru packing list.

• Thin layers (such as Shorts and T-Shirts).
• Swimming trunks / Bikini (for the Jungle and beaches).
• A warm coat.
• A jumper.
• A poncho for hiking (rains are frequent in January).
• Waterproof clothes.
• Comfortable hiking boots for treks.
• A hat to prevent getting burnt during the day.
• A hand towel.
• Sunglasses to protect your eyes from harsh sun and glare (especially in the Andes Mountains).
• High SPF sunscreen (we suggest using a minimum of SPF 30 when hiking).
• For certain hikes that are higher altitude, it’s worth bringing a thick hat, scarf, and gloves.
• Insect Repellent (especially for the Amazon Jungle and Andes hikes that pass through rainforests).
• A reusable water bottle.
• A day pack to hold everything you need during your treks and day trips.
• A quality camera or mobile phone.
• Medication for personal use.
• Padlocks which you can use for your bags when on longer treks or on public transport.
• Charging adaptors and power banks.
• Extra batteries for your camera.

A Breakdown Of Peruvian Regions In January 

Are you still wondering what each particular destination will be like in January? Although we can’t cover them all in just one post (there’s hundreds throughout Peru), below we’ll explore the main destinations and what to expect with each.

The Coastal Regions

One of the best advantages of visiting Peru in January is found within the coastal regions. Given the unique microclimate (as it’s sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and Andes), there is barely any rainfall during the whole year. This coupled with warmer temperatures means that we can expect a perfect climate to visit beaches near Lima, as well as those further north like Mancora and those near Chiclayo and Trujillo. Remember to wear sunscreen and bring lots of water given these are hot desert regions.

The Andes Regions

As we ascend higher into the mountains, this usually means warmer days and cooler nights. And in January, the main benefit will be less cold evenings which can get quite chilly in the later winter months. Rainfall is frequent in regions like Cusco and Huaraz, which can sometimes cause flooding and make treks more difficult. For this reason it’s best to have good hiking experience, or to choose treks such as the Lares Trek which is still beautiful and easy to complete during January. Also try to head early in the morning on high altitude hikes, as storms are more frequent in the middle to late afternoon.

The Amazon Jungle Regions

Perhaps the most extreme weather we can find in Peru is within the Amazon Jungle, and that’s all year regardless of the month. January in particular sees more rainfall, however is actually beneficial as the rivers and tributaries will rise. This makes it easier to explore deeper by boat, and have a better chance of seeing specific animals like Giant River Otters, Pink River Dolphins and various exotic bird species. Make sure to bring a poncho and mosquito repellent when heading to any of these destinations, and especially in Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado.

Our Top Tips For Visiting Peru In January

Overall with January it’s important to be realistic about the weather and what activities you can carry out. Whilst the coast is completely fine, the Andes and Amazon regions will often have heavy showers, and may cause disruptions with longer hikes. For this reason it’s best to be a little more flexible, and to have a few more days planned in these regions in case your plans get disrupted.

Packing properly is also very important for January, where a solid rainproof jacket and poncho will be necessary for most destinations. A high quality Mosquito repellent is also a good idea, and even in higher altitude treks (such as the Inca Trail) we will need to use it when passing through the rainforest and cloud forest regions. A thick hat and gloves are still necessary when heading to higher altitude destinations like Rainbow Mountain and Ausangate.

Finally you’ll also want to consider which week you visit Peru in January, as they can have different vibes and slightly different costs. For example the first week will be very festive, and here in Cusco we will see various carnivals and parades during these dates (as well as raised prices for flights and accommodations). The latter two weeks return back to normal around the country, and is better for lower costs, less crowds and a more authentic Peruvian travel experience.

Overview Of Visiting Peru In January

And that’s all for this guide to visiting Peru in January.

The first month of the calendar year marks the heart of the summer season for Peru, which means we can expect warmer temperatures all over the country. In January we can also find cheaper prices nearer to the end of the month, although of course there will be more showers which we will need to prepare for given we will be deep within the wet season.

Are you looking to explore Cusco and the mighty Andes mountains within this month? Here at AB Expeditions we operate an unforgettable 4 Day Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu, where we will see incredible scenery, ancient ruins as well as having all meals and accommodation included.