Summer
Dec → Feb22 to 25°
nights 18 to 21°
- 2 rainy days · 10 mm
- 10.9 h of sun
When is the best time to visit Peru?
In short: May to September, during the dry season in the Andes: clear skies over Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, with cold nights at altitude. The coast follows the opposite rhythm: Lima and Paracas enjoy their sunny summer from December to March (25 °C in February in Lima), when the rains fall on the Andes.
- Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley: From April to October, the Andean dry season brings sunny days, but nights approach 0 °C at altitude.
- The Inca Trail: From May to September to walk in the dry; the trail closes every February for maintenance, and permits go quickly for the high season.
- Inti Raymi: On 24 June in Cusco, the great Inca festival of the Sun falls in the height of the dry season: a reason to aim for late June, booking early.
- The Amazon: From April to October, the rains ease around Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado; from November to March, rainfall there is heavy.
- Lima and the coast: From December to March, the southern summer chases away the mist: sunshine over Lima, Paracas and the beaches; in winter, thick fog and 18 °C in August in Lima.
Best avoided: January to March in the Andes: heavy rain, slippery trails and a risk of mudslides, with the Inca Trail closed in February.
Sources: peru.travel, en.wikipedia.org
- Jan24°not recommended
- Feb25°not recommended
- Mar25°not recommended
- Apr23°fair
- May21°recommended
- Jun19°recommended
- Jul19°recommended
- Aug18°recommended
- Sep19°recommended
- Oct19°fair
- Nov20°fair
- Dec22°fair
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in Peru, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Sunshine | Rainfall | Rainy days | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24° | 20° | 11.1 h | 8 mm | 2 d | |
| February | 25° | 21° | 10.8 h | 10 mm | 3 d | |
| March | 25° | 21° | 10.9 h | 11 mm | 4 d | |
| April | 23° | 19° | 11.2 h | 1 mm | 0 d | |
| May | 21° | 16° | 10.5 h | 1 mm | 0 d | ✓ |
| June | 19° | 15° | 10.1 h | 1 mm | 0 d | ✓ |
| July | 19° | 14° | 10.3 h | 0 mm | 0 d | ✓ |
| August | 18° | 14° | 10.2 h | 1 mm | 0 d | ✓ |
| September | 19° | 14° | 10.7 h | 1 mm | 0 d | ✓ |
| October | 19° | 15° | 10.9 h | 1 mm | 0 d | |
| November | 20° | 16° | 11.1 h | 2 mm | 0 d | |
| December | 22° | 18° | 10.8 h | 12 mm | 2 d |
The four seasons in Peru, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (Lima) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Autumn
Mar → May21 to 25°
nights 16 to 21°
- 1 rainy days · 4 mm
- 10.9 h of sun
Winter
Jun → Aug18 to 19°
nights 14 to 15°
- 0 rainy days · 1 mm
- 10.2 h of sun
Spring
Sep → Nov19 to 20°
nights 14 to 16°
- 0 rainy days · 1 mm
- 10.9 h of sun
Book early for May to September
The timing is right, so it is right for everyone: in these months the best places to stay and the small-group tours go first. Here is where to start.
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What to do in Peru, month by month
EventsVirgen de la CandelariaFebruaryAyacucho Holy WeekMarch to AprilInti RaymiJuneFiestas PatriasJulyDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall), not from an opinion.
What's on in Peru, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. These events fill the hotels and push prices up: something to aim for or to avoid, depending on what you want.
- FebruaryVirgen de la Candelaria big crowds
Puno dances for two weeks on the shores of Lake Titicaca, with thousands of costumes and brass bands.
- March to AprilAyacucho Holy Week big crowds
Flower carpets, night-time processions and bulls let loose in the streets during the ten days before Easter.
- JuneInti Raymi big crowds
On 24 June, the Inca festival of the sun is re-enacted at Sacsayhuamán, above Cusco, in front of packed stands.
- JulyFiestas Patrias big crowds
On 28 and 29 July, flags on the balconies, parades and two public holidays that get the whole country travelling.
Travelling off-peak
Month by month, in detail
January
Not recommended24°20° at night
- 8 mm · 2 d
- 11.1 h
Low season, lower prices
February
Not recommended25°21° at night
- 10 mm · 3 d
- 10.8 h
Busy, without the crush
March
Not recommended25°21° at night
- 11 mm · 4 d
- 10.9 h
Busy, without the crush
April
Fair23°19° at night
- 1 mm · 0 d
- 11.2 h
Busy, without the crush
May
Recommended21°16° at night
- 1 mm · 0 d
- 10.5 h
Busy, without the crush
June
Recommended19°15° at night
- 1 mm · 0 d
- 10.1 h
High season, book early
July
Recommended19°14° at night
- 0 mm · 0 d
- 10.3 h
High season, book early
August
Recommended18°14° at night
- 1 mm · 0 d
- 10.2 h
High season, book early
September
Recommended19°14° at night
- 1 mm · 0 d
- 10.7 h
Busy, without the crush
October
Fair19°15° at night
- 1 mm · 0 d
- 10.9 h
Low season, lower prices
November
Fair20°16° at night
- 2 mm · 0 d
- 11.1 h
Low season, lower prices
December
Fair22°18° at night
- 12 mm · 2 d
- 10.8 h
Quiet, then the holidays
Read the twelve months in detail
January. Mild, 24 °C in the afternoon and 20 °C early in the morning. Hardly any rain (8 mm over 2 days). Plenty of sunshine: 11.1 h a day on average. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
February. 25 °C in the afternoon and 21 °C at night. Hardly any rain (10 mm over 3 days). Plenty of sunshine: 10.8 h a day on average. Busy season, without the crush.
March. 25 °C in the afternoon and 21 °C at night. Rain stays light: 11 mm over 4 days. Plenty of sunshine: 10.9 h a day on average. Busy season, without the crush.
April. Mild, 23 °C in the afternoon and 19 °C early in the morning. Hardly any rain (1 mm over 0 days). Plenty of sunshine: 11.2 h a day on average. Busy season, without the crush.
May. Mild, 21 °C in the afternoon and 16 °C early in the morning. Hardly any rain (1 mm over 0 days). Plenty of sunshine: 10.5 h a day on average. Busy season, without the crush.
June. Mild, 19 °C in the afternoon and 15 °C early in the morning. Hardly any rain (1 mm over 0 days). Plenty of sunshine: 10.1 h a day on average. High season: book early.
July. Mild, 19 °C in the afternoon and 14 °C early in the morning. Hardly any rain (0 mm over 0 days). Plenty of sunshine: 10.3 h a day on average. High season: book early.
August. Mild, 18 °C in the afternoon and 14 °C early in the morning. Hardly any rain (1 mm over 0 days). Plenty of sunshine: 10.2 h a day on average. High season: book early.
September. Mild, 19 °C in the afternoon and 14 °C early in the morning. Hardly any rain (1 mm over 0 days). Plenty of sunshine: 10.7 h a day on average. Busy season, without the crush.
October. Mild, 19 °C in the afternoon and 15 °C early in the morning. Hardly any rain (1 mm over 0 days). Plenty of sunshine: 10.9 h a day on average. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
November. Mild, 20 °C in the afternoon and 16 °C early in the morning. Hardly any rain (2 mm over 0 days). Plenty of sunshine: 11.1 h a day on average. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
December. Mild, 22 °C in the afternoon and 18 °C early in the morning. Hardly any rain (12 mm over 2 days). Plenty of sunshine: 10.8 h a day on average. Quiet at the start of the month, then busier as the holidays approach.
Same season, other ideas
Their best time overlaps with this one: worth comparing before you book.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Peru?
May to September, during the dry season in the Andes: clear skies over Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, with cold nights at altitude. The coast follows the opposite rhythm: Lima and Paracas enjoy their sunny summer from December to March (25 °C in February in Lima), when the rains fall on the Andes.
Which month should you avoid in Peru?
January to March in the Andes: heavy rain, slippery trails and a risk of mudslides, with the Inca Trail closed in February.
What is the hottest month in Peru?
February, with 25 °C on average in the afternoon and 21 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Lima).
What is the coldest month in Peru?
August, with 18 °C at best during the day and 14 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Lima).
What is the driest month in Peru?
July: 0 mm over 0 days of rain, against 12 mm in December, the wettest month.
Which month has the most sunshine in Peru?
April, with 11.2 h of sunshine a day on average. Note that this counts clear skies, not the length of the day.
Plan this trip
📒 The free printable Peru guide: itinerary, map, where to sleep→
🗓️ Best time to visit: all our destinations→
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