Best Travel Time & Climate
Peru has three completely different climate zones, which can have entirely different weather at the same time. The travel time therefore strongly depends on where you want to go.
Highlands (Sierra): Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Arequipa
Dry season (May–September): The best travel time! Clear skies, little rain, cold nights (in Cusco down to 0°C). High season with the most tourists, but also the best conditions.
Rainy season (October–April): Daily afternoon showers, but often sunny in the morning. Fewer tourists, cheaper prices. The Inca Trail is closed in February for maintenance! Machu Picchu is open year-round.
Coast (Costa): Lima
Summer (December–March): Warm and sunny (25–30°C). Beach weather!
Winter (May–November): Cool and gray ("Garúa" — fine drizzle and high fog). Lima then has 15–18°C and feels cooler than expected.
Rainforest (Selva): Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado
Dry season (May–October): Less rain, better wildlife viewing (animals gather at waterholes). Temperatures year-round 25–35°C, high humidity.
Rainy season (November–April): Heavy tropical showers, river levels rise by several meters. Still visitable, boats can go deeper into the forest.
Climate Table: Cusco (3,400 m)
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rainy Days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19 | 7 | 18 | ⭐⭐ |
| February | 19 | 7 | 16 | ⭐⭐ |
| March | 19 | 6 | 14 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| April | 20 | 5 | 7 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| May | 20 | 2 | 2 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| June | 20 | 0 | 1 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| July | 20 | -1 | 1 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| August | 20 | 1 | 2 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| September | 21 | 4 | 5 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| October | 21 | 5 | 8 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| November | 21 | 5 | 10 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| December | 20 | 7 | 15 | ⭐⭐ |
Climate Table: Lima (Coast)
| Month | Day °C | Water °C | Sun Hours | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26 | 21 | 7 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| April | 24 | 20 | 6 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| July | 17 | 16 | 2 | ⭐⭐ |
| October | 20 | 17 | 4 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
💡 Tipp
For a round trip with highlands AND rainforest, June–August is ideal: dry season in the Andes, less rain in the jungle. Lima is gray and cool at this time, but most travelers spend only 2–3 days there anyway.
