Peru
The best time to visit
When to go to Peru
For the Andes and Machu Picchu, go in the dry season, May to September, when skies are clear and trails are open. The wet season, November to March, brings rain and cloud, and the Inca Trail closes each February.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Cusco. Higher is better. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Apr.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
Rainy season.
In short
The year at a glance
Peru is really three countries in one, and Cusco, the gateway to Machu Picchu in the Andes, anchors the ratings. The highland dry season, from May to September, brings clear blue skies and crisp days, ideal for trekking, though nights are cold and the sun is intense at altitude.
The wet season runs November to March, with afternoon rain, cloud over the peaks and a greener landscape, and the classic Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance. The coast around Lima and the Amazon jungle follow their own patterns, so the best month depends on where you go.
Month by month
Peru month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Cusco.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°C / 68°F | 7°C / 45°F | 145 mm | Great 60 | Mild and wet. |
| February | 20°C / 68°F | 7°C / 45°F | 130 mm | Great 66 | Mild and wet. |
| March | 20°C / 68°F | 7°C / 45°F | 110 mm | Ideal 74 | Mild with a little rain. |
| April | 21°C / 70°F | 5°C / 41°F | 45 mm | Ideal 100 | Mild and dry. Cusco hotels in April |
| May | 21°C / 70°F | 3°C / 37°F | 10 mm | Ideal 98 | Mild and dry. |
| June | 20°C / 68°F | 1°C / 34°F | 5 mm | Ideal 94 | Mild and dry. |
| July | 20°C / 68°F | 0°C / 32°F | 5 mm | Ideal 92 | Mild and dry. |
| August | 21°C / 70°F | 1°C / 34°F | 8 mm | Ideal 94 | Mild and dry. |
| September | 21°C / 70°F | 4°C / 39°F | 20 mm | Ideal 100 | Mild and dry. Cusco hotels in September |
| October | 22°C / 72°F | 6°C / 43°F | 45 mm | Ideal 100 | Mild and dry. Cusco hotels in October |
| November | 22°C / 72°F | 7°C / 45°F | 75 mm | Ideal 88 | Mild with a little rain. |
| December | 21°C / 70°F | 7°C / 45°F | 120 mm | Great 70 | Mild and wet. |
By region
Where you go changes when you go
Cusco and the Andes
Dry, clear and cold-nighted from May to September, the prime window for Machu Picchu and high-altitude trekking.
Lima and the coast
A grey, misty overcast hangs over Lima for much of the year, lifting into warm, sunny summer from December to March.
The Amazon
Hot and humid year round. The drier months from May to September make for easier hiking and wildlife spotting.
Go for
Best time to visit Peru for
Machu Picchu and trekking
May to September, the dry season, with the clearest skies and most reliable trails. June to August is the busy peak.
The Inca Trail
May to September for the firmest, driest conditions. Note that the trail closes every February, so plan around it.
The coast and Lima
December to March, the coastal summer, when the grey lifts and the beaches warm up.
Fewer crowds
The shoulder months of April, May, September and October offer good weather with thinner trails than midsummer.
On the calendar
What is on, and when
Inti Raymi, June
Cusco stages the great Inca festival of the sun on 24 June, the highlight of the highland calendar.
Dry-season skies, May to Sep
Clear blue Andean skies make this the prime window for Machu Picchu and trekking.
Rainy season
Jan to Feb.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Peru
Compare hotels and rentals around Cusco, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights
Questions
Good to know
What is the best time to visit Peru and Machu Picchu?
When does the Inca Trail close?
Why is Lima always grey?
Where else, and when
Every country on one map, or jump straight to another guide.