Best time to visit · South America
When to go to Peru
The dry season (May–September) is best for the Andes and Machu Picchu. Lima’s coast is warm December–March. The Amazon is accessible year-round.
Best: May–SeptemberPeak: June–August
Month-by-month
Jan
Okay
5°–21°C · 155mm rain
Crowds low · Prices low
Crowds low · Prices low
Wet season in Andes
Feb
Avoid
5°–20°C · 140mm rain
Crowds low · Prices low
Crowds low · Prices low
Inca Trail closed
Mar
Okay
5°–20°C · 110mm rain
Crowds low · Prices low
Crowds low · Prices low
Apr
Good
3°–21°C · 40mm rain
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Dry season starts
May
Great
0°–20°C · 10mm rain
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Jun
Great
-2°–20°C · 3mm rain
Crowds high · Prices high
Crowds high · Prices high
Inti Raymi festival
Jul
Great
-3°–19°C · 3mm rain
Crowds high · Prices high
Crowds high · Prices high
Clear skies; cold nights
Aug
Great
-1°–20°C · 5mm rain
Crowds high · Prices high
Crowds high · Prices high
Sep
Great
2°–21°C · 20mm rain
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Oct
Good
4°–22°C · 45mm rain
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Nov
Okay
4°–22°C · 75mm rain
Crowds low · Prices low
Crowds low · Prices low
Dec
Okay
5°–21°C · 110mm rain
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Festivals worth timing your trip around
Jun
Inti Raymi
Inca Festival of the Sun re-enacted at Sacsayhuamán fortress in Cusco.
Sep
Mistura
Latin America’s largest food festival celebrating Peru’s acclaimed cuisine.
May–Jun
Qoyllur Rit’i
Pilgrimage to a glacier near Cusco blending Catholic and Andean traditions.
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Common questions about Peru
- When is the best time to visit Peru?
- May–September. The dry season (May–September) is best for the Andes and Machu Picchu. Lima’s coast is warm December–March. The Amazon is accessible year-round.
- When is the cheapest time to visit Peru?
- Prices bottom out in Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov — typically 20-40% below peak-season rates on hotels and flights.
- What months should I avoid in Peru?
- Feb. Inca Trail closed
- When is peak tourist season in Peru?
- June–August
See also the full Peru climate deep-dive with temperature heatmap and daily-rainfall breakdown.