When to go · Peru
Peru, month by month
The best months for Peru: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.
Month by month
- JanuaryMixedAndes rainy season: afternoon storms, landslide risk on the Machu Picchu line; Lima sunny.Southern Andes: rainy · Arequipa and Colca: rainy · Central coast: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
- FebruaryMixedInca Trail closed; wettest month; Candelaria festival in Puno (check dates).Southern Andes: rainy · Arequipa and Colca: rainy · Central coast: best weatherCrowds: Low · 3 festivals or holidays
- MarchMixedRains ease late; green valleys; Holy Week may fall here (check).Southern Andes: rainy · Arequipa and Colca: fine · Central coast: best weatherCrowds: Low · 3 festivals or holidays
- AprilGoodShoulder season: green and mostly dry; Easter crowds in Cusco and Ayacucho.Southern Andes: fine · Arequipa and Colca: best weather · Central coast: fineCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- MayGreatDry season begins; good trekking; Machu Picchu tickets still available a few weeks out.Southern Andes: best weather · Arequipa and Colca: best weather · Central coast: fineCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- JuneGreatInti Raymi (24 Jun) and Corpus Christi in Cusco; book tickets and rooms months ahead.Southern Andes: best weather · Arequipa and Colca: best weather · Central coast: coolCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays
- JulyGreatPeak season plus Fiestas Patrias (28–29 Jul); cold nights in the Andes.Southern Andes: best weather · Arequipa and Colca: best weather · Central coast: coolCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- AugustGreatDry and clear; Machu Picchu caps are raised but still sell out; windy.Southern Andes: best weather · Arequipa and Colca: best weather · Central coast: coolCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- SeptemberGreatExcellent trekking with fewer crowds.Southern Andes: best weather · Arequipa and Colca: best weather · Central coast: coolCrowds: Medium
- OctoberGoodMostly dry; first showers late in the month.Southern Andes: fine · Arequipa and Colca: best weather · Central coast: coolCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- NovemberGoodRains start; Puno's founding festival (early Nov).Southern Andes: fine · Arequipa and Colca: best weather · Central coast: fineCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- DecemberMixedWet in the Andes; holiday crowds late in the month; Lima's beach season starts.Southern Andes: rainy · Arequipa and Colca: fine · Central coast: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Peru, side by side.
Verdict
May: Great
Jun: Great
Crowds
May: Medium
Jun: High
Prices
May: Medium
Jun: High
Festivals listed
May: 2
Jun: 3
May: Dry season begins; good trekking; Machu Picchu tickets still available a few weeks out.
June: Inti Raymi (24 Jun) and Corpus Christi in Cusco; book tickets and rooms months ahead.
Peru: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern AndesCusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Puno | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | OK | Wet |
| Arequipa and ColcaArequipa, Colca Canyon | Wet | Wet | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK |
| Central coastLima, Paracas, Nazca | Best | Best | Best | OK | OK | Cool | Cool | Cool | Cool | Cool | OK | Best |
| AmazonIquitos, Puerto Maldonado, Manu | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best | Best | Best | OK | OK | Wet | Wet |