When to go · Peru
Peru in September
Great month. Excellent trekking with fewer crowds.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Crowds
- Medium
- Peru
- Prices
- Medium
- Peru
Verdict
Excellent trekking with fewer crowds.
Is another month better than September?
No other month rates higher than September for Peru in this guide.
Weather in September
- Southern Andes · Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Punobest weather
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 Canyonbest weather
Sunny most of the year; short summer rains Jan–Feb.
- Central coast · Lima, Paracas, Nazcacool
Almost no rain. Sunny summer Dec–Apr; grey mist (garúa) and 15–18 °C (59–64 °F) Jun–Oct in Lima.Almost no rain. Sunny summer Dec–Apr; grey mist (garúa) and 59–64 °F (15–18 °C) Jun–Oct in Lima.
- Amazon · Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado, Manufine
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 mfine
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.59–73 °F (15–23 °C) 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 mfine
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 mfine
Warmer and wetter than the highlands; rain possible any month.
- Madre de Dios: Lowland Amazon · Puerto Maldonado, Tambopata and Manú lowlandsfine
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.Warm and damp all year, around 77–90 °F (25–32 °C). 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 coastfine
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 mfine
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 mfine
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 Diosfine
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 mfine
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.Warm and humid all year, 77–90 °F (25–32 °C); 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 mfine
Cooler nights, similar rain pattern; bring a light jacket for evenings.
- Southern Coast: Coastal desert (Paracas, Ica, Nazca) · Panamericana corridorfine
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 abovefine
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 Picchufine
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 sierrafine
Similar dry/wet split; afternoons cloud over in the wet season and roads suffer.
- Southern Sierra: Puno and Lake Titicaca · Altiplanofine
Coldest zone; frosty nights year-round and strong sun at 3,800 m.
- Lima19 °C (66 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 3 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 3 rain days
- Abancay14 °C (57 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 4 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 4 rain days
- Aguas Calientes23 °C (73 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 9 rain days
- Aguaytía32 °C (90 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 8 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 8 rain days
- Andagua21 °C (70 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 4 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 4 rain days
- Andahuaylas19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 6 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 6 rain days
- Andahuaylillas22 °C (72 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 7 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 7 rain days
- Arequipa23 °C (73 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 1 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 1 rain days
- Atalaya32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 7 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 7 rain days
- Ayacucho20 °C (68 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 8 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 8 rain days
- Ballestas Islands21 °C (70 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 1 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 1 rain days
- Barranca24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 5 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 5 rain days
- Caballococha31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 14 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 14 rain days
- Cachora22 °C (72 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 7 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 7 rain days
- Cajabamba19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 9 rain days
- Cajamarca22 °C (72 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 5 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 5 rain days
- Callao22 °C (72 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 5 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 5 rain days
- Camaná21 °C (70 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 0 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 0 rain days
- Caraz22 °C (72 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 8 rain days
- Casma22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 0 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 0 rain days
- Celendín23 °C (73 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 9 rain days
- Cerro de Pasco14 °C (57 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
- Chachapoyas26 °C (79 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 10 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 10 rain days
- Chahuay19 °C (66 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 8 rain days
- Chavín de Huántar20 °C (68 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 6 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 6 rain days
- Chiclayo24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 1 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 1 rain days
- Chimbote22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 0 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 0 rain days
- Chinchero19 °C (66 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 7 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 7 rain days
- Chota22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 8 rain days
- Chucuito17 °C (63 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 6 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 6 rain days
- Churin22 °C (72 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 4 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 4 rain days
- Cuispes30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 12 rain days
- Cuzco21.7 °C (71 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 4 rain days71 °F (21.7 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 4 rain days
- Desaguadero15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 5 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 5 rain days
- Huacachina31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 0 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 0 rain days
- Huancavelia14 °C (57 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 8 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 8 rain days
- Huancayo18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 12 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 12 rain days
- Huanchaco22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 1 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 1 rain days
- Huánuco21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 6 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 6 rain days
- Huaral30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 5 rain days
- Huaraz22 °C (72 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 5 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 5 rain days
- Ica32 °C (90 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 0 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 0 rain days
- Iquitos32 °C (90 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 16 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 16 rain days
- Jaén32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 9 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 9 rain days
- Jauja17 °C (63 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 5 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 5 rain days
- Juanjuí32 °C (90 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 10 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 10 rain days
- Juliaca19 °C (66 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 6 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 6 rain days
- Kuelap22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 9 rain days
- La Merced0 °C (32 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 0 rain days32 °F (0 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 0 rain days
- La Rinconada11 °C (52 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 7 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 7 rain days
- Leimebamba19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 9 rain days
- Los Organos31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 2 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 2 rain days
- Máncora29 °C (84 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 0 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 0 rain days
- Maras23 °C (73 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 5 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 5 rain days
- Mazán31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 10 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 10 rain days
- Mollepata20 °C (68 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 6 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 6 rain days
- Moyobamba31 °C (88 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 10 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 10 rain days
- Nazca27 °C (81 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 0 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 0 rain days
- Ollantaytambo21 °C (70 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 6 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 6 rain days
- Oxapampa19 °C (66 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 11 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 11 rain days
- Patacancha20 °C (68 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 8 rain days
- Paucartambo20 °C (68 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 9 rain days
- Pichanaki27 °C (81 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 7 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 7 rain days
- Pisac23 °C (73 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 5 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 5 rain days
- Pisco22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 1 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 1 rain days
- Piura28 °C (82 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 0 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 0 rain days
- Pozuzo26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 10 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 10 rain days
- Pucallpa32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 11 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 11 rain days
- Puerto Malabrigo23 °C (73 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 1 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 1 rain days
- Puerto Maldonado32 °C (90 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 8 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 8 rain days
- Puerto Ocopa32 °C (90 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 7 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 7 rain days
- Puno18 °C (64 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 5 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 5 rain days
- Quillabamba28 °C (82 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 8 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 8 rain days
- Santa Rosa Island31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 12 rain days
- Santa Teresa16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 3 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 3 rain days
- Satipo30 °C (86 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 9 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 9 rain days
- Sauce31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 9 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 9 rain days
- Sechin27 °C (81 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 3 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 3 rain days
- Sepahua33 °C (91 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 7 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 7 rain days
- Sillustani15 °C (59 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 4 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 4 rain days
- Tacna22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 0 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 0 rain days
- Tarapoto31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 9 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 9 rain days
- Tarma22 °C (72 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 6 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 6 rain days
- Tipón21 °C (70 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 7 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 7 rain days
- Tocache32 °C (90 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 10 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 10 rain days
- Trujillo21.1 °C (70 °F) / 15.2 °C (59 °F), 0 rain days70 °F (21.1 °C) / 59 °F (15.2 °C), 0 rain days
- Tumbes30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 7 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 7 rain days
- Urubamba21 °C (70 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 6 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 6 rain days
- Villa Rica23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 9 rain days
- Yucay23 °C (73 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 6 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 6 rain days
- Yurimaguas32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 15 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 15 rain days
- Zorritos26 °C (79 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 1 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 1 rain days
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
Sep: Great
May: Great
Crowds
Sep: Medium
May: Medium
Prices
Sep: Medium
May: Medium
Festivals listed
Sep: 0
May: 2
September: Excellent trekking with fewer crowds.
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
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket
Where to go in September
Rated best or good this month
Southern Andes
Best weather of the year (Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Puno)
Arequipa and Colca
Best weather of the year (Arequipa, Colca Canyon)
Best months: May–Oct (dry season)
Best months: Apr–Oct (dry season)
Best months: May–October (dry season)
Best months: May–Oct (dry season)
Best months: Apr–Nov (dry, clear); May–Sep coolest nights
Best months: May–Oct
Best months: May–Oct
Best months: Apr–Oct
Best months: Jun–Oct (drier, fewer mosquitoes)
Best months: May–Sep