The Best Month To Visit Peru (Your Ultimate 2026 Guide)

What Is The Best Month To Visit Peru?

Overall the best month to visit Peru really depends on you and what you most want to do when exploring this incredible country. However below we can summarise ideal months for different types of trips.

Those looking to explore the entire country and have nice weather will love the shoulder months of April, May, September and October. Not only will they have minimal rains in most parts of Peru (which is ideal for hiking and getting outdoors), temperatures will still be comfortable – given they can get chilly in the coastal and Andes regions during the winter months. Prices will also be lower during these months when compared with the busier and more popular winter months, although Peru in April can vary depending on the week you choose.

Another classic trip around Peru is to see the various types of exotic animals found around the country – and especially those in the Amazon Jungle and Andes Mountains. The best months are those of the wet season (which are between December and March), as fauna will be more active during these times. This includes spotting Pink River Dolphins, Poison Dart Frogs and Anacondas in the jungle, as well as Giant Hummingbirds and Andean Flamingos in the Andes.

Considering The Different Seasons To Visit Peru

It’s easy to get drawn solely into the conversation of which is the best month to visit Peru – however just as important is the overall season given it brings more flexibility for travel dates.

The winter months in Peru (June until August) are the most popular for travel, given they are the heart of the dry season. This makes trekking ideal in the Andes and the Amazon Jungle, and a great time to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Trek. The opposing summer season runs from December until February, and is much wetter yet invites more beautiful landscapes. It’s also a great time to visit Peru’s coasts as the hotter weather makes it ideal to visit all of the different beaches and coastal towns.

However the spring and autumn seasons (September until November & March until May, respectfully) are the overall true winners. Whilst not the overall warmest or completely dry periods, they offer the best of both worlds. Either is perfect for hiking and visiting Peru’s coasts, and we can also benefit from less tourism – which means great prices and more authentic crowd-free experiences too.

The Summer Months (December – February)

First we begin with the summer months of Peru, which are of course reversed as we are located within the Southern Hemisphere. These are the hottest months to travel the country, which can be felt along the coast, Andes and Amazon (although the Andes in particular will be nicer with the less cold evenings). 

Rainfall can be very high during these months, which tends to peak around Peru in February. This can cause some trek closures and logistical issues around the Andes, however overall will also mean beautiful greener landscapes and less tourists on the trails. The extra rainfall makes it easier to see different aquatic species within the Amazon Jungle too, such as Caiman, Anacondas, Piranhas and the Giant River Otter.

Prices tend to be slightly higher these months when compared with others in the year, and especially if you plan to travel around December and early January (given the holidays). February and late January can offer a break here, where there will also be less tourists around so queues to more popular destinations like Machu Picchu and around Lima will quickly begin to fall.

December In Peru

Now finally we end the year with December in Peru, which marks the arrival of the summer season. Lima and the coastal regions benefit from clear blue skies and great temperatures, which makes it a great time for hitting the beaches around the capital and in other top spots like Paracas and Trujillo.

Rains become heavier in the Andes and Amazon Jungle this month, so keep this in mind when hiking. In Cusco it’s a great time to head on the Lares Trek to see roaring waterfalls, whilst we can also spot more exotic birds and fruit-bearing trees in the Amazon Jungle regions.

January In Peru

Kicking off the year we have January in Peru, which starts right off in the heart of the wet season. This means we can expect heavy showers in the Andes and Amazon, however this also means beautiful green and vibrant landscapes throughout the regions too.

Temperatures will be nice and warm, which is perfect for exploring Lima, Trujillo and the coastal destinations. This also means less chilly lows on the Andes, which is ideal when hiking around Cusco, the Sacred Valley or Huascaran National Park of Huaraz.

February In Peru (Best Month To Visit Peru For Low Season Travel)

The overall wettest month, February in Peru can be somewhat of a difficult month for travel. Heavier rains result in the closure of the Inca Trail for the month, and there can be complicated travel logistics in certain mountain regions.

However what makes February great is that we can enjoy warm temperatures throughout, and also a more authentic and crowd-free experience. This is perfect for seeing the real side of Peru, and not getting stuck in long lines for major tourist destinations.

The Autumn Months (March – May)

As we begin moving into the autumn months for Peru, the warmer temperatures begin to gradually reduce – although the months of March and early April are still warm around the country. This season contains arguably the best month of the year to visit Peru which is April, given the rains, temperatures, landscapes and festivities are at their most optimum during this month.

The higher levels of rainfall that we had in the summer begin to ease-off, and especially from April onwards. This makes these months perfect for heading on multi-day hikes such as the Four Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Trek, where we are more likely to have great weather as well as enjoy beautiful green landscapes given the recent rains. This season is also an ideal time to visit Lima and the coast, as temperatures will be more comfortable with less chance of rain (although it hardly ever rains in Lima anyway given its unique microclimate).

This period is a relatively cheap time to travel around Peru, of course with the exception being during the Semana Santa. However if anything we highly suggest planning your visit to coincide with this holiday week, which often falls between late March and early April. Here we can experience incredible parades and festivities around Cusco, Lima and Arequipa, which give us a true outlook into Peru and how locals celebrate this famous week.

March In Peru

As we head into March in Peru, we still have rainy weather, however there is a noticeable change as we move into the country’s autumn season. It’s a great month for spotting wildlife like Spectacled Bears and Viscachas in the Andes, as well as Pink River Dolphins and Giant River Otters in the Amazon.

Like February it will also have few tourist crowds, so it’s worth visiting both popular spots without lines (like Machu Picchu), as well as lesser-known areas for authenticity – like Tingo Maria, Chiclayo and Chachapoyas.

April In Peru (Best Time To Visit Peru For Quieter Hiking)

At last we now arrive into April in Peru, which marks much drier climates when compared with earlier months. However it’s still a quiet month – making it one of the very best for heading on the legendary Inca Trail To Machu Picchu Hike for both quiet trails and great conditions.

Thankfully temperatures are still nice and warm, so we can visit all corners of the country and benefit before the cooler conditions arrive. Along the coast this includes Lima, Paracas and Huacachina, and in the Andes this includes Puno, Cusco and Ayacucho.

May In Peru

Now we arrive into May in Peru, which marks the start of the high tourist season, dry season and also cooler winter season at the very end of the month. Temperatures do start to fall in May, so be sure to pack multiple layers if you look to explore the entire country on your trip.

This is one of the best months to hike around Cusco, as it’s still not as busy as months like July and August – whilst the weather is now at its best for Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain. It’s also great for Amazon hikes and seeing rare mammals like Jaguars as river levels have returned to their usual lows. 

The Winter Months (June – August)

Now we have the classic winter season of Peru, which is the most popular time for a visit. Temperatures continue to fall from May as we move into June, and this season marks the coldest overall temperatures for the country. This is most felt in the Andes where we will need multiple layers to stay warm during the evenings, and even Lima can get chilly at times too. Destinations along the northern coast (such as Máncora and Chiclayo) as well as the Amazon Jungle regions still offer us a refuge for hot temperatures if needed. It’s important to mention that Peru in July is the peak tourist month, which also has the overall coldest temperatures of the year.

Arguably the best reason of all to visit Peru during the winter is that it also coincides with the heart of Peru’s dry season. This makes hiking perfect around the Andes, where clear blue skies are almost guaranteed each day. The coastal regions will still be warm so it’s nice to walk around with the sun out during the day, and in the Amazon this means it’s easier to head on land-based treks to have a better chance of spotting animals such as Jaguars and Tapir.

Now despite being the most popular time that travellers head to Peru, it remains the overall cheapest – where we can still get great deals on flights and accommodation around the country. June in particular is a great time for a visit, where we can enjoy clear blue skies and perfect hiking conditions, as well as the legendary Inti Raymi festival in Cusco which celebrates the Inca civilization – and is one of the most important events on the annual calendar here.

June In Peru (Best Month To Visit Peru For Festivals)

Marking the true start of the winter season, June in Peru is one of the most popular times to visit. Hiking conditions are perfect around Cusco, where we can enjoy treks like the Inca Trail and Ausangate to Rainbow Mountain Trek with no rainfall at all.

June is a great month for experiencing festivals, such as Inti Raymi in Cusco which celebrates the Inca civilization, as well as Corpus Christi and the Lord of Qoyllur Rit’i. Be aware that temperatures can get quite chilly in the Andes regions in June, so be sure to prepare well.

July In Peru

The most popular month to visit, July marks the very heart of the high tourist season. Whilst this can mean longer queues for top sites and museums, the benefit is a more heightened atmosphere in destinations like Lima, Cusco and Arequipa.

Like the previous month, July in Peru is ideal for hiking in the Andes, and also in the Amazon as there is less rainfall than usual here. Lima can get a little chilly, however this month marks the start of the unique Lomas phenomenon – where many hills become beautiful green colours with flowering plants due to the microclimate.

August In Peru (All-Rounder Best Time To Visit Peru)

If we had to pick an all-rounder best month, August would be it. This is because the weather is at its very best for hiking and exploring not just the Andes, but also the coastal and Amazon regions – where we can also enjoy a more busy touristic atmosphere.

Be aware that climates can still vary significantly between regions during August in Peru, so be sure to pack properly. This includes light clothes and mosquito repellent for the Amazon and Piura regions, thick layers for the Andes and a jumper for Lima as it gets slightly chilly at night.

The Spring Months (September – November)

Finally we now move into the spring for Peru, which is similar to the summer but with a few extra perks for those who visit during this time. Temperatures begin warming up, which again makes it a more attractive time to head to the Andes for trekking and seeing cities like Cusco and Huaraz. Like with April in the autumn, September during this season is also an optimum month for travelling around Peru – and as such is one of the best of the entire year.

Rainfall remains low at this time, so it’s a nice time for getting outdoors in Peru without needing a poncho or thick raincoat. October and November are considered shoulder season months, however, so if heading on hikes like the Ausangate Trek or those that pass through the Amazon Jungle then it’s worth having one packed just in case. Given the absence of rain in Lima and along the coast, this is the ideal time to visit the capital and nearby towns of Huacachina and Paracas where we can enjoy a nice mix of warmer temperatures and minimal rainfall.

Prices start beginning to fall again around September, as the main tourist season comes to an end for the year. This makes it better for getting nice accommodation around Lima at great prices, and also discounts on domestic flights around the country. We can still find large crowds in early September for destinations like Machu Picchu, so if you prefer shorter queues and a more authentic experience, then it’s best to head here in late September or early October.

September In Peru

September in Peru marks the arrival of the long-awaited Spring season, which brings its own perks in this particular month. This includes slightly warmer temperatures, where we can still enjoy rain-free experiences in the Andes and coastal regions.

This month begins to see a drop-off in high tourism, and especially at the end of the month for sites like Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain. Temperatures are still cold in the Andes, so bring multiple layers ready for when visiting the city and heading on treks.

October In Peru (Best Month To Visit Peru For Unforgettable Hiking)

Along with April, the month of October in Peru is hands-down one of the best for hiking in the Andes – and especially so in the first couple of weeks. Warmer temperatures and little rainfall greets us on the rails, whilst we can enjoy blooming flowers given Spring is now in full flow.

Prices begin to drop as the tourism season now ends, and we can also see Peru in its more authentic state without massive crowds. As well as enjoying warmer temperatures along the coast, October is still a great month for spotting rare land-based wildlife in the Amazon Jungle before the heavier rains arrive.

November In Peru

Quite an underrated month to visit, Peru in November marks the start of the rainy season – although it’s still not so heavy in the first couple of weeks. This means it’s still good for hiking, especially as flowers are in big blooms along trails like the Inca Trail and Lares Trek.

Temperatures continue to warm up, and are also best felt on high altitude treks where the evening lows aren’t as chilly as they were in earlier months. November is also a low tourist season month, so is a good time to visit for both cheaper prices and a more authentic experience with less crowds around.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Month To Visit Peru

Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about the best month to visit Peru, as well as anything else important that you need to know.

What’s The Best Month To Travel Peru?

If we had to select one individual month to travel Peru, then it would be between September and April. Both have brilliant weather, but offer different experiences. September is a shoulder season right at the end of the summer, which has more crowds and a more festive atmosphere. April is also a shoulder month at the end of the wet season, however it has less crowds and cheaper prices.

What Is The Rainy Season In Peru?

The typical rainy season for Peru begins at the end of April and lasts until September, although October can also be quite dry depending on the year. During this time both the coastal and Andes regions have much better weather with minimal rainfall, and even the Amazon regions also have less rain than usual (ideal for spotting various animal species on land). Lima, however, has its own microclimate, so it will still be very dry here regardless of the season!

What Is The Hottest Month In Peru?

The overall hottest month for Peru has to be February, which is right in the heart of the rainy season. In the Amazon Regions this will be ideal as the rains will be more frequent (which allow temperatures to cool-down), whilst hotter temperatures will make exploring the Andes more comfortable. Temperatures in the Coastal regions can get very hot, so be sure to keep reapplying sunscreen when here.

Overview Of The Best Month To Visit Peru

And that’s all for this guide on the best month to visit Peru.

Full of beautiful regions such as the Amazon Jungle, the scorching Ica Desert, charming towns along the Pacific Coast and the towering Andes Mountains, Peru really does have it all. As such it’s important to see how each region can vary in terms of climate, popularity and local factors, which will help you to choose the best month for your own trip.

The Inca Trail in particular is a classic trek that is ideal to hike most months of the year, and as such is a perfect addition to any itinerary around the country. Take a look at our Four Day Inca Trail To Machu Picchu Trek now, which includes all meals, transport, entrances, camping gear and more!