Peru - Climate and when to go to Peru

Climate

Peru's climate can be divided into two seasons - wet and dry - though this can vary depending on the region. Temperature is mostly influenced by elevation: the higher you climb, the cooler it becomes.

On the coast, Peruvians visit the beach during the sunny, humid months from late December through March. The rest of the year, the coast is clothed in mist. In the eastern rainforests, it naturally rains a lot. The wettest months are December to May, but travelers visit year-round; it rarely rains for more than a few hours at a time and there's plenty of sunshine to enjoy.

When to go

Peru's peak tourist season is from June to September, which is the dry season in the Andean highlands. It's also the best time to go if you're interested in hiking or mountain climbing. Travellers visit the highlands year-round, although the wettest months are January through March, when the Inca trail is often closed. The coast is quite hot and humid during those months, becoming cooler during the rest of the year by La Garùa mist blown in from the cold ocean.

Peru has local festivals throughout the year and at certain times like Carnival, it's important to book well in advance.