I’m Kayla, and I’ve been to Peru a few times now. Different months. Different places. And wow—timing matters. If you’ve ever tried to thread the needle on weather elsewhere, like nailing the best time to visit Scotland, you already know how game-changing good timing can be.
If you're after a well-researched snapshot before diving into my month-by-month stories, check out Condé Nast Traveler’s take on the best time to visit Peru; I skimmed it before my first trip and it helped frame my expectations.
Here’s the thing: there isn’t one “perfect” month. There’s a best month for what you want.
Quick map in my head
- Andes (Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu): best May–Sept (dry, cool, clear)
- Coast (Lima, Paracas, Huacachina): best Dec–Apr (sunny, warm)
- Amazon (Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado): great year-round; April–May and Sept are sweet
I’ve broken down an even more detailed calendar in this super-granular Peru timing guide if you want charts and packing lists.
You know what? I’ll tell you what I did, month by month, and what I’d change.
May in Cusco and the Sacred Valley: my gold star month
I flew into Cusco in May. Blue skies. Crisp air. Dry trails. I did the Salkantay trek, not the Inca Trail, since it books up fast. Daytime felt like spring. Nights were cold. I wore a fleece and a beanie and felt fine.
Machu Picchu at sunrise? Clear views, not much haze, and fewer people than June and July. I took PeruRail from Ollantaytambo, grabbed a seat on the left side for views, and ate a simple chicken empanada on the way back. Small things matter when you’re tired and dusty.
If you want the Inca Trail, book months ahead. If not, Salkantay is a strong Plan B. May gave me almost zero rain and lots of sun. My knees still thank me.
June for festivals: electric, crowded, still worth it
I returned one June for Inti Raymi in Cusco. It’s on June 24. The whole city turns into a party. Drums, bright clothes, big smiles. Also, big crowds. Hotels cost more. Traffic feels wild. The mix of culture and capricious mountain weather reminded me a bit of planning around rain clouds in Ireland's shoulder season.
Weather was still dry, but I had more dust on hikes. I loved the energy though. If you like events and don’t mind lines, June has magic. If not, May is calmer.
August in Arequipa and Colca Canyon: condor show, ice-box mornings
In August, I went south. Arequipa was sunny and mild by day. Colca Canyon was the star. I woke before dawn, stood at Cruz del Cóndor with a hot coca tea, and waited. Then—wings. Huge condors soaring right over the cliffs. I got goosebumps.
But wow, it was cold at sunrise. I wore two jackets and still stomped my feet to keep warm. August is peak season, so book your bus (I used Cruz del Sur) and lodge early.
February on the coast: Lima, Paracas, and Huacachina
February felt like a different country. Lima was warm and bright. I ate ceviche at noon, then walked the Malecón in Miraflores while paragliders drifted by. The ocean was perfect for a quick swim. No jacket needed. It felt almost tropical—sort of like timing a winter escape to Cancun’s sun-splashed months.
Paracas was windy in the afternoon. The Ballestas Islands tour left early, so sea birds and sea lions were active. Huacachina had hot sand and fast buggies. One sandboard wipeout later, I learned: sunglasses aren’t optional.
Note: Lima is gray and damp June–Oct (that garúa fog). If you want sun on the coast, pick Dec–Apr. February hit the spot.
April in the Amazon (Puerto Maldonado): green, loud, alive
I tried the Amazon in April. Rivers ran high, which made boat trips easy. We slipped into flooded forests and saw hoatzins, macaws, and a caiman at dusk. It rained hard once each day, like clockwork, then cleared. I slept under a fan with a net and woke to monkeys yelling. Nature can be loud.
Bring strong bug spray and a light rain jacket. I know, obvious. I still forgot my long socks and paid for it.
Tip: April–May and Sept are great. In very wet months, you boat more. In drier months, you hike more. Wildlife shows up either way.
September in Huaraz: blue mornings, big peaks
Huaraz in September felt like an athlete’s dream. Cool mornings. Sharp views. I hiked to Laguna 69 and almost cried when the wind hit the blue water. Afternoons brought clouds, so I started early.
Fewer crowds than July. Sunburn still got me. High places don’t care if you “don’t burn.” Pack sunscreen and a hat.
Festivals that change the vibe (and the price)
- Inti Raymi (Cusco, June 24): huge and fun. Book early.
- Semana Santa (Easter) in places like Ayacucho: very moving. Busy streets.
- Fiestas Patrias (late July): more travel, higher prices, lots of flags.
I loved the buzz, but I had to plan more. If you want quiet trails and lower prices, avoid those dates.
Funding travel during those pricey festival weeks can feel like a stretch; some wanderers look at unconventional ways to pad their trip fund—everything from remote gigs to lifestyle arrangements that mix companionship with financial support. If that last option intrigues you, take a look at this straightforward guide on how to be a good sugar baby to learn the etiquette, safety tips, and boundary-setting essentials before considering that path.
Curious about how classified boards work if you’re thinking of posting a short-term job ad, offering gear for sale, or even lining up a house-sitting gig between treks? Skim a city-specific example like the listings on Backpage Laguna Niguel to see how categories, pricing, and safety reminders are structured—insights you can apply when navigating similar sites in Peru or elsewhere.
So, what’s “best”? Here’s my simple answer
- For Machu Picchu and treks: May or September. Dry, clear, and not peak-peak. Those shoulder-season windows mirror the sweet spot I found while figuring out the best time to visit Glacier National Park: clear trails, fewer buses, happier knees.
- For the Lima sun and beach time: January to March. Bring sandals and a hat.
- For the Amazon: April–May or September. Green, active, and not too muddy.
If you want the biggest party, pick June. If you hate crowds, pick May or early October. See how that works?
For more detailed month-by-month itineraries and insider lodging picks, check out my full guide on 5 Star Share.
For another angle—with climate charts and regional nuances—Lonely Planet’s concise rundown on the best time to visit Peru is worth a quick glance alongside my personal notes.
What I pack now (after messing up a few times)
- Light rain jacket (even in “dry” season)
- Fleece, beanie, and gloves for the Andes nights
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, wide hat
- Bug spray for the jungle
- Good shoes and wool socks
- Refillable bottle and electrolytes
- A small roll of cash for tips and markets
Tiny note: I chew coca leaves or sip coca tea for the altitude. I also take it slow the first day in Cusco. It helps.
Quick picks by traveler type
- Hikers: May–Sept for the Andes. I loved May best.
- Photographers: May and Sept. Clear light and nice clouds.
- Food lovers: Feb–April in Lima. Fresh fish and sunny days.
- Wildlife fans: April–May in the Amazon. Boats slide right under the trees.
- Families: June–August for school breaks, but book ahead and pack layers.
One small curveball no one told me
Roads can close during heavy rain in the wet season in the Andes. Landslides happen. I had one bus turn around near Pisac in March. It wasn’t scary, but it ate a day. If you go Nov–March up high, keep a little wiggle