The best time to go to Peru

As Peru is in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are generally reversed, but with such an array of topography the weather patterns in Peru can still be somewhat confusing and conflicting depending on where you are; the jungle will differ totally from the Andean highlands, which will also differ from the lowland coast, which can in turn differ according to whether you are in the north or south. The best way to tackle this initially daunting task is by prioritising what you would like to see and do on your trip and starting to tailor your itinerary around this, and we can use our expertise of the region to do this for you.

When to go

This is a guide for the country as a whole, indicating good times to plan a holiday, taking into account popular places to visit, wildlife encounters and overall weather. Please remember that where in the country will vary depending on month of travel.

jan
feb
march
april
may
june
july
aug
sep
oct
nov
dec

When to go to Peru if you want to see…

Birds

Year round – from condors in the Andes, macaws in the Amazon, and hummingbirds along in Inca Trail Peru is a fantastic birding destination

Condors

May to December – although the condors are present throughout the year the best sightings tend to happen during the dry season.

Pink Dolphins

Year round – whether you travel during the rainy season or the dry season in the Peruvian Amazon then you have great chance of spotting the unique pink dolphin.

Monkeys

December to May – by visiting the Amazon during high water season more of the river channels become accessible by boat which increases your chances of seeing monkeys ever so slightly

When to go to Peru by location

Amazon

Perennially hot and humid, the jungle areas east of the Andes nonetheless have distinct seasons- a dry season between May and October, and a wet season between November and April, when the rivers swell following frequent rain showers. Iquitos lends itself more to year-round travel, being closer to the equator, whilst Manu and Tambopata are far more favourable to visit in the dry season, when you can witness monkeys, birds, caimans, and small mammals. In Iquitos, animals can be easily spotted along the mud banks between June and September, once river levels recede.

Andean Highlands

Most visitors to Peru will incorporate the obvious charms of the Andean Highlands of Peru and the optimum time to trek amidst the beautiful Andean scenery of this region is between May and October, when the days can be clear and warm with somewhat chilly evenings, with temperatures reaching 20°C-25°C, or 68°F to 77°F in the daytime. This is Peru’s high season, and visitor numbers can be high. This is of particular note to those looking to trek the spectacular scenery of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, which we recommend booking at least 6 months in advance to secure space. Outside of these months you may experience rain, but there will be fewer tourists, more verdant vegetation and flora, including orchids at Machu Picchu.

Coast

Between November and April the coastal regions are bathed in sunshine. The further north you go, the longer this summer weather lasts, with places like Mancora in the far north enjoying good weather well into Peru’s winter. Further south, including the areas around Lima, May to October and Peru’s winter months bring cloud and a much cooler climate.