Best Time to Visit Peru
May to September (dry season, best for Machu Picchu and the Andes)
Quick Answer
Best Overall
May to September (dry season, best for Machu Picchu and the Andes)
Peak Season
June–August (coincides with North American and European summer holidays)
Shoulder Season
April, September–October
Cheapest Period
January–February for the Andes (also Lima's own sunniest stretch)
Weather Varies By Region
Peru is large enough that no single "best time" applies everywhere. Here's how the timing changes region by region.
Machu Picchu & the Andes (Cusco, Sacred Valley)
May–SepThe dry season; the wet season runs roughly November–April, with the heaviest rain in January–February — the Inca Trail closes entirely each February for maintenance.
Lima & the coast
Dec–AprRuns opposite to the Andes — this is Lima's warm, sunny 'summer.' The rest of the year (roughly May–November) brings a persistent grey coastal fog called garúa, even without much rain.
Amazon rainforest (Iquitos, Manu)
May–SepDriest and easiest for hiking; the wetter months (Oct–Apr) bring higher, more navigable rivers for boat-based trips instead.
Month-by-Month Weather
Catalog Data· Climate normals, see sources below(Verified taxonomy records from the TravelGuidesFinder destination catalog.)Average high/low temperatures and rainfall for Lima (used here as a representative reference point — see regional notes above for other areas).
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°C / 80°F | 20°C / 69°F | 1mm | Low |
| February | 28°C / 82°F | 21°C / 69°F | 0mm | Low |
| March | 27°C / 81°F | 20°C / 69°F | 0mm | Shoulder |
| April | 25°C / 77°F | 19°C / 65°F | 0mm | Shoulder |
| May | 23°C / 73°F | 17°C / 63°F | 0mm | Peak |
| June | 21°C / 69°F | 16°C / 62°F | 1mm | Peak |
| July | 20°C / 67°F | 16°C / 60°F | 1mm | Peak |
| August | 19°C / 67°F | 15°C / 60°F | 2mm | Peak |
| September | 20°C / 67°F | 15°C / 60°F | 1mm | Shoulder |
| October | 21°C / 69°F | 16°C / 60°F | 0mm | Shoulder |
| November | 22°C / 72°F | 17°C / 63°F | 0mm | Low |
| December | 24°C / 76°F | 19°C / 65°F | 1mm | Low |
Season-by-Season Guide
Andes dry season (May–Sep)
Clear skies and cool nights in Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu; the Amazon at its driest; Lima itself is cooler and overcast (garúa fog) during this window
Good For
Andes wet season / Lima's summer (Dec–Mar)
Heavy rain and landslide risk in the Andes (the Inca Trail closes entirely in February for maintenance), while Lima and the coast enjoy their warmest, sunniest stretch — crowds and prices split by region: low in the Andes, high on the coast
Good For
Shoulder (Apr, Sep–Oct)
Transitional — the Andes drying out or just beginning to wet up, generally good visibility
Good For
Best Time to Visit For...
Machu Picchu & the Inca Trail
May–SeptemberBook Inca Trail permits 5–6 months ahead for June–August; the trail is entirely closed every February.
Lima & the coastal desert (Paracas, Huacachina)
December–AprilLima's own warm, sunny season — opposite the Andes' best window.
Amazon rainforest
May–SeptemberEasiest hiking; December–May brings higher rivers for boat-based exploring instead.
Budget trekking
April, OctoberNear-peak Andes conditions at shoulder-season pricing.
Cheapest Time to Visit
January–February is the cheapest window for Cusco and Sacred Valley accommodation, precisely because it's the wettest Andes stretch and the Inca Trail is fully closed in February — a coast-first, Andes-later itinerary can make good use of this, since Lima is at its warmest and sunniest during exactly this period.
Busiest Time to Visit
June through August is peak Machu Picchu season, coinciding with North American and European summer holidays and Peru's own Andes dry season — Inca Trail permits for this window routinely sell out five to six months in advance.
Weather vs. Price Trade-off
April and late September–October offer Andes conditions close to the June–August peak — clear skies, cool but not cold nights — at meaningfully lower demand for Inca Trail permits and Cusco accommodation.
Travel Budget
Statistical Estimate· TravelGuidesFinder Cost Index(Derived from seasonal cost modeling; actual on-the-ground prices may vary.)Budget Traveler
$42/day
Mid-Range Traveler
$98/day
Luxury Traveler
$270/day
How to Get There
Lima Jorge Chávez (LIM) is the main international gateway; Cusco (CUZ) is a short domestic flight away and is the jumping-off point for Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.
How Long to Stay
7–10 days covers Lima and Cusco/Machu Picchu/the Sacred Valley. 2–3 weeks allows an Amazon lodge stay or Lake Titicaca as well.
Sample Itineraries
What to Pack, By Season
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Peru and Machu Picchu?
May–September, the Andes dry season — though Lima's own best weather runs the opposite direction, December–April.
Can you hike the Inca Trail in February?
No — the classic Inca Trail closes entirely every February for maintenance. Alternative treks like Salkantay remain open.
Is Lima always foggy?
Lima experiences a persistent coastal fog and overcast pattern called garúa roughly May–November, even without rain; December–April is its sunniest stretch.
Last verified: 2026-09-19 · Climate figures are 30-year averages and will not match any single trip exactly.
Sources:Lima climate normals — Climates to Travel,Regional best-time guidance — Rough Guides