Best time to visit Peru

Best for: beach hangs, Islas Ballestas daytrips and fewer Machu Picchu crowds

Pack your swimmers as January is prime time for relaxing on the coast and day-tripping to Islas Ballestas to see adorable sea lion pups. If you can pull yourself away from the cuteness, go inland to the Nazca Lines for a scenic flight over one of the world’s greatest archaeological mysteries. Trails in the Andes can be muddy as rainfall peaks, but Machu Picchu may be a bit quieter.

Best for: Pisco Sour Day, Carnaval and coastal vibes

Peru celebrates its national drink, the Pisco sour, on the first Saturday of February with tasting events, shows, food fairs and plenty of drink specials (head to Lima for the biggest parties). Later in the month, Carnival celebrations erupt across the country, but especially in Cajamarca where the streets buzz with parades, sparkly costumes and water fights. The Inca Trail closes for maintenance, though the Quarry Trail remains open if you're keen for an offbeat trek.

Best for: festivals, shoulder-season perks and lush mountain views

March is another festival-packed month. Line your trip up with Semana Santa (Holy Week) or Festival de Varano Negro (celebrating Afro-Peruvian heritage) for a deep dive into Peru’s cultural richness. Along the coast, crowds ease but the weather stays mild – perfect for chilling out or snagging shoulder-season deals. In the highlands, mountain flowers bloom and terraced valleys turn extra green. Machu Picchu is usually a bit quieter too.

Best for: clearer skies, green valleys and shorter queues at Machu Picchu

After months of heavy rain, April offers particularly scenic hikes in the Andes – get ready for blooming orchids and all the shades of green. While trails can still be quite damp, sunny spells become more frequent, and you'll beat the big crowds that arrive a few months later. It’s a good time to connect with Indigenous communities in the Sacred Valley or explore big-ticket sites like Machu Picchu without jostling for space.

Best for: wildlife spotting in the Amazon, highland treks and Lake Titicaca homestays

May is the calm before the high season. The weather steadily improves, offering good trekking conditions and a better chance of seeing Machu Picchu under bright skies. Lake Titicaca is usually dry and sunny in May, making it an ideal month to meet the Uros people and learn about life on their floating islands. Wildlife can be easier to spot in the Amazon thanks to lower water levels and thinner vegetation.

Best for: Inti Raymi, trekking and Amazon adventures

If you’re curious about how the Incas celebrated the winter solstice, align your trip with Cusco's Inti Raymi festival – a theatrical reenactment of the Inca Empire's largest event. Trekking season officially begins in the Andes with clearer mountain views, and June marks the start of the drier period in the Amazon, making it easier to spot elusive animals like big cats.

Best for: Independence Day, crisp nights and spotting Amazon wildlife

Peru celebrates its Independence Day on July 27 to 28 with street parties, folk music, dancing and fireworks. In the Amazon, dry-ish weather continues to shrink riverbanks, so now's your chance to spot capybaras, caimans and possibly a jaguar if you’re lucky. Enjoy clear night skies for stargazing at Lake Titicaca, or head to Cusco or Lima to eat your way through Peru's warming winter dishes.

Best for: offbeat treks, stargazing and embracing the outdoors

Sure, Peru is crowded in August, but the weather is ideal for doing it all. Dry skies and minimal cloud cover offer top-notch scenery along the Inca Trail – or check out the Quarry Trail for a quieter trek (the views are just as good). At Lake Titicaca, calm waters and cloudless skies are ideal for boating to the floating Uros islands, stargazing and getting to know the many cultures of Puno.

Best for: rainforest hikes, smaller crowds and bird watching

September shares the perks of high season (warm days, mostly dry weather), but Cusco and the Sacred Valley are generally a bit quieter – Machu Picchu remains busy. It's an excellent time to explore the Amazon before heavier rains arrive in October. Migrating birds can also be spotted across Peru – including sandpipers and Wilson's Phalaropes along the coast and hummingbirds in the cloud forests.

Best for: animal sightings in the Amazon, surfing and shoulder season perks

As a transitional month, October offers a mix of sunny days and showers. In the Amazon, you're in with a good chance of spotting land tapirs and possibly an armadillo before vegetation thickens with the heavier rains. Or maybe grab a board and enjoy the laidback vibe in surf towns like Cabo Blanco or Mancora now that temps are climbing. Trekking in the Andes is usually relatively dry in October too.

Best for: smaller crowds, beach time and All Saints’ Day

November marks the start of wet season, so pack your rain jacket and bug spray if you're heading to the Andes or the Amazon. Fewer tourists mean less foot traffic on popular trekking routes and reasonably quiet beaches along the coast. For a culture-packed trip, consider planning around All Saints’ Day on November 1 to experience a unique blend of Catholic and Indigenous traditions in honour of saints and deceased loved ones.

Best for: beach days, mountain blooms and festive traditions

Summer is well underway in December. Hit Paracas or Mancora for sea swims, ceviche and day trips to Islas Ballestas, or head to the Andes to trek among summer blooms (just be prepared to get wet). Peru’s cities light up with festive markets and decorations, and if you're in Cusco on 8 December, you might catch the grand processions, parades and giant statues of the Virgin Mary for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.