Visiting Peru In March: Everything You Need To Know

Is It Worth Visiting Peru In March?

Quick Answer: March is an interesting month to visit Peru for a few reasons, with authenticity being one of the best overall reasons.

It’s during this month that the annual Carnival celebrations of Semana Santa fall in, where we can expect large parades in most major cities and towns around Peru (Cusco and Ayacucho in particular have some very iconic festivities). Speaking of the Andes, March also marks the long-awaited reopening of the Inca Trail – which was closed during February for repairs, and means we will now have a fresh trail to enjoy.

Although we are still in the rainy season, it’s the tail-end of this period, which means we can expect less rainfall when compared with February. This makes it easier to trek around the Amazon Jungle and Andes Mountains. Temperatures will also start to slightly fall for Peru in March, which makes coastal areas like Lima and Ica more comfortable to travel around.

Important Things To Know:

• March is considered low season, although there will be price hike-ups around the Semana Santa celebrations.
• The weather is fresh and great for outdoor exploring as we now enter autumn for Peru.
• Temperatures are still hot, but not as extreme in the jungle and coastal regions of Peru like it was in January and February.

The Pros Of Visiting Peru In March:

• Temperatures are more comfortable which is ideal for those who want to explore coastal and jungle regions.
• We can experience the unforgettable Semana Santa celebrations in cities like Ayacucho and Cusco.
• Aside from Carnival, March is a relatively quiet month which is perfect to get to know the more authentic side of Peru.

The Cons Of Visiting Peru In March:

• There is still lots of rainfall, although it begins to slow-down during this month (and especially in the final weeks).
• Some of the more difficult treks such as Salkantay and Ausangate in March are still best-off only for experienced hikers given the more difficult conditions.

Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Peru In March 

Below we’ll now explore what Peru in March 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 March.

Best Things To Do In Peru In March

As a whole this is quite a nice month to travel all around Peru given the climate. Machu Picchu is ideal to visit as rains begin to diminish and crowds are still lower than usual, whilst other Andean highlights like Lake Titicaca and Lake Parón are also ideal in March. You’ll also want to visit Huacachina and the Amazon Jungle – however remember to keep reapplying sunscreen given how hot it can get in both!

Peru in March is also a great month to experience a more authentic side to the country. It’s a low season month which means we won’t have lots of crowds in must-visit destinations such as Rainbow Mountain, whilst the Semana Santa festival in the latter stages of March means we can experience a truly incredible festival all around the country. The very best places to experience Carnival include Ayacucho, Cusco and Arequipa.

The Weather Of Peru In March 

March marks the beginning of the autumn season for Peru, where we can notice some changes in the climate (especially come the end of the month).

It’s important to know that this month is still a rainy season month, and as such we can expect many showers throughout the Andes and Amazon regions. Whilst hiking routes like the Inca Trail and Ausangate Trek are now safe to go on, we can still expect some showers and mud along the way. At the end of March the levels of rainfall begin to slow down throughout the country as we reach the shoulder season.

Temperatures for Peru in March are at some of their very best for the entire year. Whilst months like January and February were very hot (and getting burnt in the jungle and coast were quite likely), March is a lot more comfortable. The other benefit is that the Andes will still be nice to walk around in, before the chilly lows begin to come in during the later winter period.

Packing List For Peru In March 

Whilst the climate begins to change in March when compared with previous months such as January and February, we’ll still need to bring a variety of useful items with us during our trip to Peru.

This is especially true if you plan to visit the various diverse regions of the coast, Andes and Amazon Rainforest, which each have their own benefits and quirks. 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.
• A warm coat (temperatures are still cool in the Andes regions).
• A jumper.
• A poncho for hiking (remember we are still in the rainy season of Peru).
• Waterproof clothes.
• Comfortable hiking boots for treks.
• A hat to prevent getting burnt during the day (which can happen in the coastal, mountain and jungle regions during this month).
• A hand towel.
• Sunglasses to protect your eyes from harsh sun and glare (especially when on multi-day treks in the Andes).
• 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.
• 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 March 

Are you still wondering what each particular destination will be like in March? 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

Temperatures in March begin to slightly drop along the coastal areas, which make it a nice month given they won’t be as uncomfortably hot as usual. However when heading to destinations like the Ballestas Islands near Huacachina or Máncora, it’s still important to regularly re-apply sunscreen as the sun in these parts is still intense and can easily cause sunburns. This is also similar for other popular beach destinations like Pimentel (Chiclayo), Huanchaco (Trujillo) and Punta Sal in the far north of Peru.

The Andes Regions

Whilst heavy showers are still falling in the Andes in March, the bulk of the wettest and wildest weather is now behind us for the year. This makes it a good month for hiking, and especially at the end of the month to head on treks to destinations like the Inca Trail, Lake 69 and Rainbow Mountain. The annual event of Semana Santa is best experienced within the Andes regions, such as in Cusco or Arequipa. However the very best is in Ayacucho, where we can also see as many as 33 colonial churches during the festivities and also visit the important monument of the Pampa de Ayacucho.

The Amazon Jungle Regions

March in the Amazon Jungle can be an interesting time to visit. Although showers are still expected when heading on multi-day treks around Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado, we can still enjoy lots of bright-blue patches of sky. The higher waters will make it easier to spot many marine species too, such as the iconic Pink River Dolphin in Iquitos where we can move deeper into the rainforest by boat. Also keep your eyes peeled for more Black Caiman, Piranhas, Capybara and lots of colourful Macaw Parrot species.

Our Top Tips For Visiting Peru In March

Overall March is a slightly less wet month when compared with the month of February, and even more so if heading at the end of the month. Whilst this autumn month is ideal to begin trekking again, you’ll still need a solid poncho or raincoat, as well as high quality hiking boots that have good grip and will keep your feet warm.

If possible, then we highly recommend visiting Peru at the end of March. Not only will the rain be less intense (which is perfect for outdoor experiences), we can also enjoy the cultural celebration and festivities of Semana Santa. Known locally as Carnival, it’s a memorable event to take part in Peru, where the biggest parades take place in Ayacucho, Cusco and Arequipa.

Lastly, it’s a good idea to pre-book hotels or experiences in advance (and especially so if coming at the end of March). Semana Santa will be quite a busy and more expensive period, so we suggest booking things at least 4 months in advance. This includes treks like the Inca Trail and your Machu Picchu admission ticket, for hotels that are in popular areas of the cities as well as beachside properties in places like Máncora and Paracas.

Overview Of Visiting Peru In March 

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

The official beginning of the autumn for Peru, March is at the tail-end of the wet season so we can still expect frequent showers in the Andes and Amazon regions. The good thing is that rainfall begins to diminish at the end of the month, making it great to visit Machu Picchu and also head on multi-day rainforest treks from Puerto Maldonado. We can also enjoy the legendary cultural festivities of Semana Santa in Cusco too when heading in March!

If you’re looking for an unforgettable hiking experience for Peru in March, then we highly suggest heading on the Four Day Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu (and especially so near the end of the month). Here we can walk the same path that the ancient Inca once did, see ruins such as Wiñay Wayna and Sayacmarca, whilst having all meals and camping equipment included.