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Best time to visit Peru: month by month
Short answer
May to September is the dry season in the Andes, with sunny days of about 17-19°C in Cusco and nights near freezing (lows of 4-6°C in the data); June to August is busiest. April and October are quieter shoulder months. January to March is the rainy season, with about 25-28 rainy days a month, and the Inca Trail closes in February.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16°C | 8°C | 28 | low |
| Feb | 16°C | 8°C | 25 | low |
| Mar | 16°C | 7°C | 27 | low |
| Apr | 17°C | 7°C | 17 | medium |
| May | 17°C | 6°C | 10 | high |
| Jun | 17°C | 4°C | 0 | very high |
| Jul | 18°C | 5°C | 2 | very high |
| Aug | 19°C | 5°C | 7 | very high |
| Sep | 19°C | 6°C | 13 | high |
| Oct | 19°C | 8°C | 20 | medium |
| Nov | 18°C | 8°C | 24 | medium |
| Dec | 18°C | 8°C | 25 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Warming slightly, about 19°C by day, with rain returning from October (13-24 rainy days); fewer crowds.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
The rainy season in the Andes, about 16-18°C with near-daily rain; Lima is sunny and warm; the Inca Trail closes in February.
Autumn (Mar–May)
Rain eases from about 27 days in March to 10 in May; green landscapes and good value.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Dry and sunny, about 17-19°C by day but 4-5°C at night in Cusco; the peak season; Lima is grey with garúa mist.
Events worth planning around
- Inti Raymi in Cusco, 24 June
- Virgen de la Candelaria in Puno, early February
- Qoyllur Rit'i pilgrimage, May or June (moves with the calendar)
- Corpus Christi in Cusco, May or June
When to avoid
February, when the Inca Trail is closed and rain is heaviest. If you dislike crowds, avoid June to August and Inti Raymi week.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Peru?
May or September for dry weather with fewer crowds than June to August.
When is the rainy season in Peru?
In the Andes, roughly November to March, heaviest from January to March.
When is the Inca Trail closed?
Every February, for maintenance; Machu Picchu itself stays open.