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When to go · Peru

Peru in January

Mixed month. Andes rainy season: afternoon storms, landslide risk on the Machu Picchu line; Lima sunny.

Key facts

Verdict
Mixed
Crowds
Medium
Peru
Prices
Medium
Peru

Verdict

MixedVoykit month rating for Peru

Andes rainy season: afternoon storms, landslide risk on the Machu Picchu line; Lima sunny.

Is another month better than January?

January is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

Weather in January

  • Southern Andes · Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Punorainy

    Dry, sunny days and frosty nights May–Sep; rain most afternoons Dec–Mar, with landslides. Machu Picchu is lower and more humid than Cusco.

  • Arequipa and Colca · Arequipa, Colca Canyonrainy

    Sunny most of the year; short summer rains Jan–Feb.

  • Central coast · Lima, Paracas, Nazcabest weather

    Almost no rain. Sunny summer Dec–Apr; grey mist (garúa) and 15–18 °C (59–64 °F) Jun–Oct in Lima.

  • Amazon · Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado, Manurainy

    Hot and humid; drier Jun–Sep with better trails; river levels high Jan–May (good for boats around Iquitos).

  • Altiplano: Lake Titicaca shore (Puno, Juliaca) · 3,800–3,900 mrainy

    Rain concentrates December to March; June to August is dry, sunny and very cold at night, with strong afternoon wind on the lake.

  • Central Coast: Lima and Callao · coastal desertfine

    15–23 °C (59–73 °F) year-round with almost no rain. December to April is sunny; May to September is grey and humid (80–85%) with coastal fog.

  • Central Coast: Huaral / Barranca / Caral · north coast desert and lower valleycheck

    Warmer and sunnier than Lima; Caral sits in full sun with daytime heat most of the year. Month-by-month ratings check.

  • Central Sierra: Huaraz and the Callejón de Huaylas · Cordillera Blanca valley, 2,500–3,100 mrainy

    Dry season roughly May–Sep: clear mornings, afternoon cloud. Rain concentrates Dec–Mar.

  • Central Sierra: Oxapampa and the eastern valleys · Cloud forest east of the divide, 1,800 mrainy

    Warmer and wetter than the highlands; rain possible any month.

  • Madre de Dios: Lowland Amazon · Puerto Maldonado, Tambopata and Manú lowlandsrainy

    Warm and damp all year, around 25–32 °C (77–90 °F). The rainy season runs December to March, when rivers swell and can overflow; the drier months from April to October are easier for boats and trails.

  • Northern Coast: Trujillo and Chiclayo · central northern coastfine

    Mild and dry year-round, often grey and damp in winter (June–November); little rain.

  • Northern Coast: Piura, Máncora and Tumbes · far northern coasthot

    Hot and sunny most of the year; the wettest months are December to April, when flooding is possible.

  • Northern Sierra: Cajamarca · northern Andes, about 2,750 mrainy

    Rain concentrates December to March; days are mild, nights cold. February or March is carnival, when beds fill.

  • Northern Sierra: Chachapoyas and the cloud forest · eastern slopes, about 2,335 mrainy

    Mist and rain are common year-round; the drier window is roughly May to September.

  • Peruvian Amazon: Lowland Amazon (Iquitos, Pucallpa, Puerto Maldonado) · Amazon basin, Loreto, Ucayali, Madre de Diosrainy

    Hot and humid year-round. The heaviest rain runs roughly December to April, when rivers rise and trails can flood; May to October is drier and easier for trails and boat transfers, though rain falls in any month.

  • San Martín: Tarapoto and the lowlands · Huallaga valley, 300–600 mrainy

    Warm and humid all year, 25–32 °C (77–90 °F); rain is heaviest December to April. June to September is drier and the easier window.

  • San Martín: Moyobamba and the higher edge · 800–1,000 mrainy

    Cooler nights, similar rain pattern; bring a light jacket for evenings.

  • Southern Coast: Coastal desert (Paracas, Ica, Nazca) · Panamericana corridorbest weather

    Rain is rare; summer (Dec–Mar) is hot and sunny, winter (Jun–Sep) is grey and damp with garúa. Sea temperatures stay cold year-round.

  • Southern Coast: Arequipa and the sierra edge · 2,300 m and aboverainy

    Clear dry days May–Sep with cold nights; the wet season Dec–Mar brings afternoon cloud and greener slopes.

  • Southern Sierra: Cusco and the Inca heartland · Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchurainy

    Dry season May–September brings clear mornings and cold nights; the wet season December–March is greener but muddier.

  • Southern Sierra: Ayacucho and Apurímac · Western and central sierrarainy

    Similar dry/wet split; afternoons cloud over in the wet season and roads suffer.

  • Southern Sierra: Puno and Lake Titicaca · Altiplanorainy

    Coldest zone; frosty nights year-round and strong sun at 3,800 m.

  • Lima27 °C (81 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 0 rain days
  • Abancay22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 15 rain days
  • Aguas Calientes21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 20 rain days
  • Aguaytía31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 16 rain days
  • Andagua18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 5 rain days
  • Andahuaylas15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 12 rain days
  • Andahuaylillas20 °C (68 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 18 rain days
  • Arequipa21 °C (70 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days
  • Atalaya30 °C (86 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 12 rain days
  • Ayacucho18 °C (64 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days
  • Ballestas Islands26 °C (79 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 1 rain days
  • Barranca20 °C (68 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 12 rain days
  • Caballococha31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 20 rain days
  • Cachora20 °C (68 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 18 rain days
  • Cajabamba22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 15 rain days
  • Cajamarca22 °C (72 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 15 rain days
  • Callao22 °C (72 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 8 rain days
  • Camaná28 °C (82 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 1 rain days
  • Caraz20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 18 rain days
  • Casma27 °C (81 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 2 rain days
  • Celendín22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 18 rain days
  • Cerro de Pasco12 °C (54 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 18 rain days
  • Chachapoyas22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 15 rain days
  • Chahuay18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 18 rain days
  • Chavín de Huántar18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 15 rain days
  • Chiclayo30 °C (86 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 6 rain days
  • Chimbote27 °C (81 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 1 rain days
  • Chinchero17 °C (63 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 18 rain days
  • Chota21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 16 rain days
  • Chucuito15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 18 rain days
  • Churin21 °C (70 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 14 rain days
  • Cuispes28 °C (82 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Cuzco20.5 °C (69 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 18 rain days
  • Desaguadero15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 5 rain days
  • Huacachina23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 2 rain days
  • Huancavelia12 °C (54 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 12 rain days
  • Huancayo15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 12 rain days
  • Huanchaco27 °C (81 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 1 rain days
  • Huánuco22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 12 rain days
  • Huaral27 °C (81 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 12 rain days
  • Huaraz21 °C (70 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 14 rain days
  • Ica24 °C (75 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 0 rain days
  • Iquitos32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 22 rain days
  • Jaén28 °C (82 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 12 rain days
  • Jauja17 °C (63 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 12 rain days
  • Juanjuí32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 16 rain days
  • Juliaca12 °C (54 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 5 rain days
  • Kuelap21 °C (70 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 18 rain days
  • La Merced0 °C (32 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 0 rain days
  • La Rinconada8 °C (46 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 22 rain days
  • Leimebamba18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 15 rain days
  • Los Organos30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days
  • Máncora30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 0 rain days
  • Maras15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 12 rain days
  • Mazán31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 18 rain days
  • Mollepata18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 12 rain days
  • Moyobamba30 °C (86 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 16 rain days
  • Nazca30 °C (86 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 2 rain days
  • Ollantaytambo19 °C (66 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 20 rain days
  • Oxapampa22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 20 rain days
  • Patacancha18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 18 rain days
  • Paucartambo18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 20 rain days
  • Pichanaki24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 20 rain days
  • Pisac21 °C (70 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 17 rain days
  • Pisco28 °C (82 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 1 rain days
  • Piura33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days
  • Pozuzo27 °C (81 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 20 rain days
  • Pucallpa31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 18 rain days
  • Puerto Malabrigo28 °C (82 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 2 rain days
  • Puerto Maldonado31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 20 rain days
  • Puerto Ocopa32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 18 rain days
  • Puno16 °C (61 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 18 rain days
  • Quillabamba28 °C (82 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 18 rain days
  • Santa Rosa Island30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 15 rain days
  • Santa Teresa22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 12 rain days
  • Satipo30 °C (86 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 18 rain days
  • Sauce31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 18 rain days
  • Sechin27 °C (81 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Sepahua32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 18 rain days
  • Sillustani12 °C (54 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days
  • Tacna27 °C (81 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 2 rain days
  • Tarapoto32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Tarma20 °C (68 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 18 rain days
  • Tipón19 °C (66 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 18 rain days
  • Tocache31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 15 rain days
  • Trujillo27.1 °C (81 °F) / 19.4 °C (67 °F), 2 rain days
  • Tumbes28 °C (82 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Urubamba16 °C (61 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Villa Rica24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 18 rain days
  • Yucay21 °C (70 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 18 rain days
  • Yurimaguas30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 20 rain days
  • Zorritos31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 8 rain days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • New Year

    1 Jan

    Public holiday.

  • Summer season check

    January to March · Lima

    Hot and sunny; beaches and cliff cafés are busy and hotel prices are highest.

  • Christmas and New Year check

    24-25 and 31 December · Lima

    Fireworks and traffic; the Magic Water Circuit and Christmas lights draw families.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Peru
Medium
Prices · Peru
Medium

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Peru, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Jan: Mixed

    May: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    Jan: Medium

    May: Medium

  • Prices

    Jan: Medium

    May: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 3

    May: 2

January: Andes rainy season: afternoon storms, landslide risk on the Machu Picchu line; Lima sunny.

May: Dry season begins; good trekking; Machu Picchu tickets still available a few weeks out.

Peru: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in January

Rated best or good this month

  • Central coast

    Best weather of the year (Lima, Paracas, Nazca)

  • Lima

    Warm, sunny; beaches busy.

  • Ballestas Islands

    Best months: Dec–Mar (calm seas, warmer weather)

  • Callao

    Best months: Oct–Apr (dry, cooler)

  • Camaná

    Best months: Dec–Apr (summer, warmest water and beach life)

  • Huanchaco

    Best months: Dec–Mar (coastal summer, sunniest)

  • Huaral

    Best months: Dec–Apr

  • Ica

    Best months: Oct–Apr (dry, milder temperatures)

  • Los Organos

    Best months: Dec–Mar (dry, warm, surfable)

  • Máncora

    Best months: Dec–Mar (big waves, warm water)

  • Pisco

    Best months: Dec–Apr

  • Trujillo

    Best months: Apr–Nov (dry, sunny, 21–26 °C (70–79 °F)); Dec–Mar is warmer and busier