The Best Time To Visit Peru (Your Ultimate 2025 Guide)

When Is The Best Time To Visit Peru?

Overall the dry season is widely regarded as the best time to visit Peru, which usually runs from May until October. This season promises the best weather throughout Peru, where clear blue skies are more likely when hiking in the Andes, and also less torrential rain in the Amazon (although there will always still be showers here anyway).

Temperatures are also more mild and cooler, which means you won’t get as hot when heading on jungle treks or enjoying the northern beaches like Máncora and Punta Sal. Of course this can make treks around Cusco and Huaraz chillier in the evenings, so you’ll want to pack extra layers ready for your hikes.

Another important aspect to mention during this period are tourists crowds. They will be at their highest between May to October, so this will mean more people and queues at the more popular destinations like Machu Picchu. However it does also mean you’ll have a more social atmosphere, and will find areas like Cusco to be more festive and jolly with many local festivals in these months.

Finally, it’s also important to factor in what you most want from your own trip to Peru. For example if seeing local wildlife is a must, then the wet season months of December until March will be much better. The same goes if you want a more authentic experience with less crowds, given these months are less popular times to head on a Peru trip.

Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Peru In Different Seasons

Below we’ll now break down the two main weather seasons of Peru, the unique shoulder months and what to expect with each.

The Dry Season Of Peru

As we have already mentioned above, the dry season remains the most popular time to visit Peru. Running from May until October, Peru has its very best weather during these months which is perfect for hiking and outdoor exploration. This is especially true when visiting iconic sites in the Andes like Rainbow Mountain and the Classic 4 Day Inca Trail Trek, as mists and rains won’t obscure your views.

The main drawback of visiting during the dry season are the effects of having more tourism. This means that prices are often more expensive to visit Peru (especially flights to and from), and sometimes with increases in costs for accommodation. You’ll also want to pre-book many experiences too, given that queues can build quickly for the most popular attractions.

The Wet Season Of Peru

Next we have the infamous wet season of Peru, which usually begins in November and lasts through until April. These months are often much less busy, and are perfect for heading on usually-popular treks such as the Inca Trail. Those who love greener landscapes and wildlife will also love these more authentic summer months for a trip.

Of course the main disadvantage of visiting Peru in the wet season are the heavier rains, which are felt all over the country. In the Andes this can sometimes cause travel disruptions and closure of certain hikes (such as the Inca Trail during the month of February), and in the Amazon Jungle this will cause higher rivers and a change of wildlife that can be spotted. One big exception to this rule is Lima, where there is no rainfall anyway. Instead here we can enjoy more blue skies and overall nicer summer weather.

The Shoulder Seasons Of Peru

These include the months of September and October (spring in Peru), as well as March and April (autumn in Peru). They fall right between the dry and wet seasons, and overall have the most advantages for any tourist who is planning on heading on a trip throughout Peru.

Firstly whilst there will be a little bit of rainfall, it will be much less than the rainy season whilst you’ll benefit from the more green, vegetative landscapes (and especially so in the autumn). Temperatures will also be warmer than those of the dry season, which will be most appreciated when exploring the high altitude mountainous regions. 

Secondly the costs of travelling Peru during the shoulder months are often much cheaper than those of when heading in the dry season. This means that as well as having solid weather, you’ll also avoid long crowds at the more popular Peru attractions. Flights and accommodation will also usually fall back to their normal prices too during these months.

The Various Regions Of Peru (And The Best Time To Visit Each)

There are three main regions of Peru, which are the Pacific Coast, the Andes as well as the Amazon Jungle. Each vary considerably in their geography, and as such the best time to visit too.

The Coast (Lima, Ica, Trujillo etc)

Running adjacent to the Pacific Ocean, the coast is usually the first of the three biomes that you will explore – given this is where Lima is located. This biome begins right in the north of Peru in the region of Tumbes by Ecuador, and runs all the way to Tacna in the far south by Chile.

The landscapes here are very dry, and vary from tropical beaches in the north, to hot sandy deserts and arid plains further south. Rainfall is low throughout the year in these regions, and especially so in micro-climates such as Lima (you’ll never need to worry about bringing a rain jacket as there’s virtually no rainfall here). This is similar to the desert paradise of Huacachina, as well as the volcanic city of Arequipa in the south of Peru.

Overall the best time to visit these coastal regions is within the shoulder months of March, April, September and October. Whilst rainfall isn’t a problem the other times of the year, the temperatures will be most pleasant during these months. Otherwise in the winter evening temperatures can get quite chilly, whilst the hot summer days can often be overbearing.

The Andes (Cusco, Machu Picchu, Huaraz etc)

Heading more inland, we now find the giant Andes Mountains which also stretch from the very far north to extreme south of Peru. 

The cordilleras (mountain ranges) here can vary in climate and appearances, however generally we’ll find that the days are hot, whilst temperatures get very cold heading into the evening and nights. Of course it does also depend on the altitude you’re at, where high altitude peaks (near Huaraz and Cusco) are often freezing with snow year-round, whilst the Andean foothills (near Cajamarca and Ayacucho) are more temperate.

Overall the best time to explore and go hiking in the Andes Mountains is between April and October, which marks the dry season. Although temperatures will be cooler during this period, there will be no rainfall that can otherwise cause flooding or inaccessibility in the more rural areas. Having said that, hiking in the wet season can also be advantageous for those who want less crowds and more epic, untamed green scenery!

The Amazon Jungle (Iquitos, Tarapoto, Puerto Maldonado etc)

Finally we now have the most interior and largest part of Peru, with the Amazon Jungle making up almost two thirds of the entire country.

After descending back down from the high altitudes of the Andes, these jungle regions will be pretty hot year-round both during the day and night. Rainfall will occur throughout the year, and also at random given this massive region is so unpredictable – so it’s good to pack a poncho even if coming during the dry season (May until September). The rainy season (October until April) can be both hotter and with wilder rainfall, which can be advantageous depending on what you are looking to do.

Overall the best time to head into the Amazon Jungle really depends on what you most want to do – given it will be hot and wet pretty much most months. The dry season is best for those looking to spot land mammals such as Jaguars and Tapir on the dried-up riverbeds, and also for having the least chance of rain. The wet season will see the Amazon transform into an even more beautiful green paradise, where we can more easily spot other exotic wildlife such as Macaws, Poison Dart Frogs and Piranhas on boat tours.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Time To Visit Peru

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

What Is The Best Month To Go To Peru?

Again this really depends on you and what your particular goals are, however if we were to pick a month then it would be April. Not only is it less touristy with fewer crowds, temperatures will still be comfortable whilst there is less rainfall as we move out of the rainy season. The surrounding landscapes will still be green in April given the previous months of heavy rainfall, and it’s also the perfect time to see Machu Picchu without the crowds.

Where Is The Best Weather In Peru?

With dozens of varying regions and over 80 microclimates throughout Peru, it can be hard to pinpoint one best destination for everyone! However Arequipa tends to get a lot of votes, given daytime temperatures are consistently warm throughout the year with barely any rainfall. Nighttime temperatures aren’t that cold either – given it’s located at the foothills of the Andes and as such don’t change as dramatically as destinations higher-up.

What Is The Hottest Month In Peru?

Although regions can widely vary, overall the hottest month in Peru is usually February. During this month Lima will be at its hottest, whilst evening temperatures in Cusco and the Andes will be slightly more comfortable. The Amazon Jungle will also be very hot, so it’s important to keep reapplying sunscreen to avoid getting burnt.

Overview Of The Best Time To Visit Peru

And that’s all for our comprehensive guide on when the best time to visit Peru is.

It’s easy to assume Peru is one small country where things stay the same all year – however this couldn’t be further from the truth. One of the largest South American countries, there are dozens of micro-climates which can offer different experiences in each region – although the overall best time for a trip would be between April and October (during the dry and shoulder seasons).

Of course it’s very important to take into account what you most want to see and experience in Peru too. For example, those who want to explore the Sacred Valley and hike the unforgettable Inca Trail trek will be best off heading here between May and October for the overall best weather and experience.