Best Time to Visit Peru
Peru
Peru's geography creates multiple climate zones — the Amazon, Andes, and coast each have different optimal seasons. Timing your visit requires balancing Machu Picchu conditions, Amazon water levels, and Lima's coastal garúa (fog).
Best Months
May-September (dry season, Andes & Machu Picchu)
Good Months
April, October
Consider Avoiding
January-March for Inca Trail (closed in February), but it's Amazon wet season = more wildlife
Season by Season
Dry Season (May-September)
The Andes at their best: clear skies over Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley in golden light, and the Inca Trail in walkable conditions. Cusco daytime: 18-20°C. Nights can drop below 0°C at altitude. This is peak tourist season — book Machu Picchu permits months ahead.
Shoulder (April, October)
Excellent compromise months. The rains are ending (April) or haven't started (October), Machu Picchu crowds are thinner, and prices are lower. April's landscape is lush from recent rains — the most photogenic Andes scenery.
Wet Season (November-March)
Daily afternoon rains in the Andes (Machu Picchu in clouds is common). The Inca Trail closes in February for maintenance. But: the Amazon is at its most accessible by boat, birdlife peaks, and domestic prices drop. Lima's summer (December-March) brings beach weather and clear skies.
Year-Round: Lima
Lima's desert coast is overcast May-November (garúa season) and sunny December-April. The food scene is world-class year-round. Don't skip Lima because of the fog — the culture, restaurants (Central, Maido), and Miraflores neighbourhood reward any season.