When is the best time to visit Peru

It is likely that you still don’t know when to travel to Peru to discover this country with so much historical and cultural richness. You should know that you can travel to Peru all year round, except that, depending on the province, some months are better than others.

Best time to travel to Peru

The period from September to May is the most appropriate time to travel to Peru. Now, you should also know that the tourist high season runs from June to August. This period coincides with the dry season in the Altiplano and the jungles of the eastern region.

The mild season, however, occupies the months of September and November, as well as March to May. These months are ideal for travelling without too many tourists. During this time it is spring and autumn in the Altiplano area.

On the other hand, the low season, which extends between December and February, coincides with the rainy season in the Altiplano and in the Amazon. It must be added that the rainy season in the Amazon lasts well into May, and finally, you should know that the Inca Trail is usually closed in February.

If we have to talk about the climate as such, Peru has an intertropical climate. This means that in the eastern region it is a tropical climate, in the Andes mountain range you can find an alpine climate, and in the coast it is subtropical. Thus, in the north, in the Andes and in the jungle, the climate is warm tropical, while on the coast, the arid tropical climate brings abundant rains between January and April.

The Andean zone has a temperate sub-humid climate, with recurrent rain between January and May, and an average temperature of 20ºC. At high altitudes, that is to say above 3,000 metres, the climate is boreal. Here there are also abundant rains between January and May, and temperatures with an average of 13ºC. Of course there is snow to more than 5,000 metres, as for example in La Rinconada, an average temperature of 0ºC.

As you can see, the climatic variety of Peru is quite detailed, so if you do not know when to travel to Peru, it is best to decide according to the region you want to visit.

When to travel to Cusco

To visit this city which has been declared a World Heritage Site, it is best to do so between May and October. These months coincide with the dry season in this area. You can also visit Cusco between November and April, but it is likely to rain on a continuous basis. The rains can cause landslides or other inconveniences during your trip.

On the other hand, if there is a perfect month to visit Cusco, it is the month of May, because there is hardly any rain, and the mountainous landscapes are greener and more lush. You will also benefit from a smaller influx of travellers during that month. So, if you want to visit Machu Picchu with good temperature and without problems, choose the month of May, or any other from the dry season.

When to travel to Iquitos

If you want to include the Peruvian jungle in your trip, it is best to visit Iquitos and from there travel through the Amazon. To visit the Peruvian Amazon, it is best to travel between June and November, in the dry season. The temperatures will be more pleasant, yes, it has a high percentage of humidity.

Between December and May, however, it is the rainy season, so these are not good months to visit the jungle. The average temperature will be 30ºC, and the humidity 90%; it is also likely that the forest will be flooded, and it will be more difficult to access the trails.

In July and August, on the other hand, a cold front coming from Patagonia can refresh the temperatures, lowering them from 30ºC to 15ºC for several days.

When to travel to the Colca Valley

Visiting Peru and not admiring the flight of the condor in the Colca Valley is unforgivable, so take note of what the best time to travel to this wonderful place is. To begin with, it can be said that the Colca can be visited at any time of the year; however, between March and June would be the best months for your trip.

On the other hand, the climate in the Colca Valley is high mountainous, so be prepared for rather cold nights. The days are sunny, with temperatures between 18ºC and 25ºC, while at night, the thermometer drops to 4ºC.

January and February are the months when the most rainfall is recorded, so it is not a good idea to choose this period to travel to the Colca. Also, the fog and the rains could ruin your trip, even preventing you from entering the valley.

To travel to other wonderful places such as Lake Titicaca, Nazca, Paracas, Arequipa, or the Sacred Valley, preferably choose the dry season.