Peru Weather: When to Go Peru - Best Time to Visit

Peru, a country of breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is equally remarkable for its diverse climates. With geography that spans from coastal deserts to towering Andean peaks and the lush Amazon rainforest, Peru’s weather varies dramatically across its regions. Understanding these weather patterns is key to planning your visit, as each area offers a unique experience depending on the time of year.

From the sun-drenched beaches of the northern coast to the misty mornings in the highlands and the humid heat of the jungle, Peru's weather can be as varied as its terrain. Whether you're trekking through ancient Incan trails, exploring the vibrant cities, or immersing yourself in the natural wonders of the Amazon, knowing when and where to go will enhance your journey through this diverse and enchanting country.

Peru Weather: A Land of Diverse Climates

Peru is home to 38 distinct climate types, as classified by the Warren Thornthwaite Climate Classification method (SENAMHI, 2020). This diversity arises from the interplay of various climatic factors and Peru’s unique geographical features, including its position in the tropics and the complex topography of the Andes mountain range. The primary climates include arid and temperate conditions along the coast, rainy and cold weather in the mountains, and very rainy and warm climates in the jungle.

Weather in Peru: A Breakdown by Region

Peruvian Coast

From December to April is summertime with hot and dry weather and temperatures ranging from 25° to 35°C. These are the best months for swimming.

Wintertime starts in May and lasts till November when the temperature drops a bit and it is cloudy. On the coast, the climate is determined by cold sea-water adjacent to deserts, and so the prevailing coastal winds absorb the cold Peruvian current moisture, which condenses only from May to November.

The resulting cover of clouds and sea mist extends from the south to about 200 km north of Lima. This so-called "garua" dampens isolated coastal zones of vegetation (called "lomas") and are grazed by livestock driven down from the mountains. During the "garua" season, only the northern beaches near Tumbes are warm enough for a pleasant swim.

Andean Mountains 

From November to April is the rainy season, which is typical of drought and clear mostly in the morning, in the afternoon there is rainfall, with a small drop in temperature (18°C) and a small difference at night (15°C). 

From April to October is the dry season, with hot days when the temperatures reach 20° - 25°C, and cold nights, often below freezing. 

Peru's main season starts in June and lasts till August, which is the best time for hiking on the Inca Trail or for trekking and climbing elsewhere in the country. At this time, the days are generally bright and sunny, although the nights can be very cold at high altitudes. The highland can also be visited at other times of the year, although in the wettest months from November to April, some roads are inaccessible and hiking trails can be very muddy.

Jungle of Peru

In the jungle areas in the south, a cold front can pass at night. November - April is the rainy season, whenever there can be heavy rains, humidity, and heat. During the season, it only rains for a few hours at a time, which is not enough to ruin your journey, but enough to make some roads virtually impassable. 

April to October is the dry season having temperatures of up to 35°C. This is the best time to visit the jungle. In the jungle areas of the south, a cold front can pass through at night. 

Weather in Peru according the astronomical stations

Each of Peru's geographical zones has its own climate.

When to Go to Peru

When is the best time to travel to Peru? A question that the Peru tips will now answer.

First you need to know that Peru has three climate zones (coast, Andes and rainforest) and the weather is divided into dry and rainy seasons. The strong expansion from north to south, the location on the Pacific and the immense differences in altitude of up to 6,700 meters explain the different climatic conditions.

You also have to consider that Peru is in the southern hemisphere and the seasons move in the opposite direction to those in Europe and the United States

Climate zones in Peru

Let's start on the Pacific coast of Peru. Due to geographical conditions and the Humboldt Current, it is quite dry there all year round. Expect temperate temperatures along most of the coast with lots of fog in winter.

As you head further north, very warm and dry weather greets you. In the Peruvian Andes, a distinction is made between two seasons, although there are fundamental differences depending on the altitude.

You will now find a summary of the altitude levels in the Andes:

Tierra caliente: up to approx. 1,000 meters above sea level, annual temperature of 25 °C
Tierra templada: up to approx. 2,000 meters above sea level, annual temperatures of 15 – 20 °C
Tierra fria: up to approx. 3,500 meters above sea level, annual temperatures of 12 °C
Tierra Helada: up to approx. 4,500 meters above sea level, annual temperatures from 0 to 8 °C
Tierra Nevada: from 4,500 meters above sea level, below 0 °C all year round

In the dry season it hardly rains in the Andes region. In contrast, the Peruvian rainforest is humid all year round. With constant temperatures around 25 °C you have to expect showers, especially in the afternoon. The climate table shows you the weather in Lima.

best time to visit peru:

Winter means dry season in Peru and applies to the months from May to September. The summer months from November to March is the rainy season in Peru, with a surprising amount of rain falling, especially in the Andes.