Peru is one of South America’s most beautiful destinations, attracting millions of tourists from all over the world every year. Peru is home to breathtaking landscapes including forests, snow-capped mountains, fortresses, and much more. No matter which part of Peru you visit, you will find something in every corner. As well as stunning landmarks, Peru also offers delicious cuisine to satisfy your hunger cravings. All these things make Peru an incredible destination which you must visit at least once in your lifetime. Though it’s possible to visit Peru all year round, ithas two mainclimates: winter season (May-September) and summer season (December-March). Peru has one of the most beautiful climates in the whole world due to its diversity. The best time to visit Peru is between May and August, which is also the peak season. It is advisable to book everything in advance,so you don’t lose out on the best accommodation.

Here’s a month-by-month guide to the weather conditions in Peru and how they differ from region to region. This will hopefully help you plan your trip according to your wishes, to make your trip to Peru unforgettable:

January

Peru in January is at its wettest and warmest, with three different climate zones across the country. The desert coastal strip remains hot in January with average highsof 26 °C and lows of around 19 °C in the most famous parts of Peru including Lima, Arequipa, Máncora and Paracas. These parts are dry and sunny, so great for swimming and taking advantage of the Pacific Ocean’s cool waves. The second climate zone is the Highlands or the Andean zone, where temperatures reach highs of 20 °C and lows of 7 °C. Places such as Machu Picchu and Cusco experience heavy rainfall during this time. If you’re visiting in January, the breathtaking Lake Titicaca is a must-see destination. The large area covered by the Amazonian rainforest makes up the third climate zone and experiences downpours and thunderstorms, with temperatures ranging between 22 °Cand31°C.

February

Like January, February is one of the wettest months and sees the complete closure of the Inca Trail.Despite this, Peru’s alternative treks and activitiesstill make visiting in February a fascinating option.During this month, the temperatures range between20 °C and 27 °C. Peru’s coastline is really busy with large crowds of touristsduring this month. Peru offers a variety of outdoor activities, beach festivals, and a lovely atmosphere in February. But remember, it is also the most expensive month as tourist levels will be at their highest.

March
March is one of the best times to visit Peru as rainfall begins to decrease duringthis month, making the weather very pleasant. The Inca Trail opens up giving you the opportunity to enjoy trekking in the area. The weather starts to get dry making surfing conditions ideal. However, trails are sometimes still a bit muddy due to the rain from previous months. Also, tourists generally go inland for this month, making the coastline less crowded and more peaceful. In March, temperatures usually remain between 15 °C and 25°C in most parts of the country. Some destinations, such as Cusco, still experience a little rain, but Lima remains dry throughout the month, making it an ideal location to visit during March.

April
Some areas experiences occasional drizzle during April, but the Machu Picchu and Cusco regions start to completely dry up and cool down, depending on the altitude. The desert coastal strip offers a sunny sky, and a welcoming spring (with a little rain). While Lima remains cool throughout the month with average temperatures of 22 °C, the Amazon is sometimes wettest during this month, with heavy rainfall causing high water levels. Other regions, including Cusco and Machu Picchu, see temperatures of around 18 °C, making them ideal places to visit. However, crowd levels are sometimes higher during April, compared to other months.

May
With its lush greenery, May is the dry season across the majority of Peru and nights are pleasant and chilly, with temperatures dropping to around 3 °C. Temperatures in famous destinations including Machu Picchu and Cusco remain around 19 °C. The Amazon Rainforest also offerstourists the perfect weather, with the average highest temperature of 30 °Cduring the day and 22 °C at night. Before the peak season, this month offers a lot of festivals for you to become part of. The scenery is beautiful, and placesare not as crowded as in other months. Lima, on the other hand, is extremely dry and temperaturesreach 20 °C on average.

June

Like May, June is one of Peru’s dry months, with average temperatures of 18 °C across the country. The nights are cold with a crisp breeze, making the weather pleasant, meaning June is a great time to visit Peru.The Amazon Rainforest is also a perfect spot to explore, with humid temperatures during the day and cool nights. The southern areas of Peru are cooler and foggier, with relatively reduced rain. The Andes have clearer skies and mild temperatures, making June a great month for a visit. The coastal desert strip hasspring-like weather, with almost no rain throughout the entire month.

July

July is the peak time for tourists, since it offers pleasant mornings and splendid afternoons. Both the northern and the southern parts of Peru offer amazing weather conditions, enticing people to come and appreciate the beauty that this country holds. Tourists indulge themselves in activities such as sightseeing and hiking. July also serves as the best month to visit the beaches, since crowds, and prices, are reduced.Temperatures remain around 18 °C throughout Peru,especially in the most popular areas including Machu Picchu, Lima, and Cusco. However, nights are sometimes really chilly with temperatures dropping down to 0 °C in some parts of the country. Iquitos is also one of the best places to visit during July.

August

August is undoubtedly Peru’s busiest month in terms of tourism. With no extreme weather, August offers the perfect weather conditions. The Amazon Rainforest is humid with the lowest rainfall at only 6 inches. On the other hand, temperatures in Lima remain at 18 °C, usually dropping to 2 °C at night.Iquitos sees the highest temperature in August at 32 °C. While the weather sometimes feels cold in other cities, Iquitos is often warm. Make sure to check out any festivals happening in August in Peru before you plan your visit.

September

The South is misty while the North is warm and sunny, and it gets hot as you move closer to the equator. The Highland zone is drier and warmer, with highs of 20 °Cand lows of 5 °C. Temperaturesin Lima sometimes dropto 2 °C at night. The Amazon Rainforest and Iquitos areat their driest and most humidduring this month, and it’s easy to spot the wildlife. At times, both places alsoexperience some rain by the end of September. Be sure to attend the Spring Festival which is held in September in Trujillo, Peru.

October

October offers a beautiful spring season, with wildlife that is easy to spot, so be sure to bring your camera. The famous IncaTrail that leads into the park is available toenjoy this month. Peru’s Amazon Basin is also the best place to visitduring October as it is the driest time of the year. This particular area offers a great deal of biodiversity and is one of the world’s most exotic places. However, the temperature in Machu Picchu and Cusco is around 20 °Cduring the day, dropping to around 4 °C at night with increased chances of rain. If you want to experience Lima’s exotic food, then October is the best time to visit Peru.

November

November marks the end of the dry season, yet it offers a lot of festivals to enjoy. The Amazon is full of birds during this time of the year. Accommodation prices (and most other prices) start to drop, making your trip a little less expensive. It’s also a great time to visit Peru’s coastline, as the weather is pleasant, and temperatures are lower. On average, temperatures remain around 16 °Cand drop by night. Many parts of the country still experience rainfall.

December

Lima is the best place to visit this month, as it is sunnier than ever with temperatures of 25 °C in the day and around 18 °C at night. Sacred Valley in the Andean highlandsoffers breathtaking beauty, which is a must for exploring during December. The beach season starts in December when the temperature is warm, and the weather is sunny. It is the best time to visit Peru for people who love beaches and water activities. However, rainfall starts to increase a lot more compared to previous months.

CONCLUSION –THE BEST TIME TO VISIT PERU:

We believe that the best times to visit Peru are August and October. These months offer good weather conditions with nothing much to worry about. However, if you feel uncomfortable in crowded places, then it’s probably best to avoid these months as it gets very busy. Instead, visit in April as it is not toocrowded, and the climate isn’t as harsh.

We hope this month-by-month guide turns out to be helpful for you and that you enjoy your memorable trip to this beautiful country!

If you’re looking for more information about Peru or any other destination you’d like to visit, check out Backpackertrail. The German start-up knows all about backpacking and will help you to plan your adventure, have the best trip possible, and experience the world in all its glory. Find information about climates, the best beaches, activities, and so much more. Enjoy your trip!