Peru's Three Worlds in One Country

Peru is one of the most geographically complex countries on Earth, and that complexity makes timing your visit both critically important and genuinely confusing. Within a single country, you have bone-dry coastal desert, towering Andean highlands above 4,000 meters, and dense equatorial rainforest that receives over 3,000 millimeters of rain per year. What counts as "the best time to visit" depends entirely on which Peru you are visiting.

The mistake most first-time visitors make is planning their entire trip around Machu Picchu's weather without considering that they will probably also want to visit the Amazon, Lima, or Cusco -- each of which operates on its own seasonal calendar. This guide breaks down each zone so you can build an itinerary that works across all of them.

Understanding Peru's Three Climate Zones

The Coast (Costa)

Peru's 2,400-kilometer Pacific coastline is one of the driest places on Earth, thanks to the cold Humboldt Current. Lima, the capital, is technically a desert that receives less than 15 millimeters of rain per year. But "dry" does not mean "sunny." From May through November, Lima and much of the coast is blanketed by a persistent gray mist called garua. The sun basically disappears for months, temperatures hover around 15-18 degrees Celsius, and the mood is gloomy.

From December through April, the garua lifts, skies clear, and temperatures climb to 25-30 degrees Celsius. This is Lima's summer, and the beaches north of the city come alive.

The Highlands (Sierra)

The Andes divide neatly into dry season (May through October) and wet season (November through April). Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, and the Colca Canyon all follow this pattern.

Dry Season: Clear blue skies, cold nights (often below freezing at altitude), warm sunny days of 18-22 degrees Celsius. Almost no rain.
Wet Season: Daily afternoon downpours, muddy trails, occasional landslides that close roads and railways. Still warm during the day, but clouds obscure mountain views.

The Amazon (Selva)

The Peruvian Amazon covers over 60% of the country's land area. It is hot and humid year-round, but there is a meaningful difference between seasons:

Dry Season (May through October): Less rain, lower river levels, more exposed beaches along rivers, better hiking on forest trails, more insects.
Wet Season (November through April): Heavy daily rainfall, rivers swell by several meters, canoe access to flooded forest, fewer insects, spectacular birdwatching.

Month-by-Month Guide

January and February

Highlands: Peak wet season. Cusco receives its heaviest rainfall, and the Inca Trail is officially closed for the entirety of February for maintenance and environmental recovery. Other treks to Machu Picchu (Salkantay, Lares) remain open but are muddy and challenging.

Coast: Peak summer. Lima is at its best -- sunny, warm, and buzzing with energy. The beaches of Mancora and Huanchaco in the north are perfect.

Amazon: High water season. Rivers are at maximum depth, allowing exploration by boat deep into the flooded igapo forest. Wildlife concentrates around remaining dry areas, making certain species easier to spot. Humidity is intense, and rain falls daily, but the spectacle of the flooded forest is unique.

Budget: Highland hotels in Cusco drop 20-30% from peak. Coastal prices are moderate. Amazon lodges maintain steady pricing year-round.

March and April

Highlands: The wet season begins to ease. March is still rainy, but April sees a noticeable decline. Late April can be excellent for Machu Picchu -- the crowds of peak season have not arrived, the rains are diminishing, and the landscape is spectacularly green.

Coast: Still warm and sunny, though cooling toward the end of April. Lima's food festival scene kicks into gear.

Amazon: Transitioning from wet to dry. Rivers begin to recede. This is one of the best times for Amazon wildlife -- animals that were dispersed during the flood begin concentrating around shrinking water sources.

May and June

Highlands: The dry season begins, and with it, prime trekking weather. May is a sweet spot -- the trails have dried out, the vegetation is still green from the rains, and the tourist surge has not fully materialized. June marks the beginning of true peak season.

Key Event: Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun, takes place on June 24 in Cusco. This is one of South America's most spectacular festivals, a recreation of the ancient Inca celebration of the winter solstice. The main ceremony at Sacsayhuaman draws thousands of spectators. Hotels in Cusco sell out weeks in advance, and prices spike 50-100% for the week surrounding the festival.

Inca Trail: Permits for May and June sell out 4-6 months in advance. If you want to hike the Classic Inca Trail (4 days, 3 nights), book your permit through a licensed operator by January at the latest.

Coast: The garua has arrived. Lima is gray and cool. Not beach season.

Amazon: Dry season begins. Trails are passable, and nighttime temperatures drop to a more comfortable 20-22 degrees Celsius.

July and August

Highlands: Absolute peak season. The weather is excellent -- cold, clear nights and warm, sunny days with virtually no rain. But Machu Picchu receives its maximum visitor numbers. The site currently limits daily entries to approximately 4,500 visitors across multiple circuits, and the most popular time slots sell out weeks ahead.

Costs: The highest of the year across the highlands. A mid-range hotel in Cusco runs $80-150 per night. A guided Inca Trail trek costs $600-900 per person.

Coast: Cool and gray in Lima. Northern beaches like Mancora are warm year-round but less busy.

Amazon: Peak dry season. The best time for jungle trekking as trails are firm and relatively dry. River levels are at their lowest, exposing sandy beaches along the Madre de Dios and Tambopata rivers.

September and October

Highlands: The tail end of the dry season, and my personal favorite window for the highlands. September offers nearly identical weather to July and August but with noticeably fewer tourists. By October, the first rain showers appear, but they are brief and usually limited to late afternoon. The landscape starts to green up.

Costs: Prices begin to soften from peak. Inca Trail permits are still competitive but more available than July.

Coast: The garua begins to lift. Late October can bring the first sunny days back to Lima.

Amazon: Transitioning toward the wet season. Still excellent for visits, with some rain returning but not yet the daily deluges.

November and December

Highlands: The wet season returns in earnest by mid-November. Expect afternoon rain showers that can be heavy. Morning sightseeing at Machu Picchu is still feasible -- the rain typically does not start until early afternoon. Crowds thin dramatically.

Coast: December brings back Lima's summer. The city comes alive, restaurant terraces reopen, and the surfing season begins at Punta Hermosa and Punta Rocas.

Amazon: Wet season begins. Rain increases but the forest is spectacular, and the early wet season offers good birdwatching as migratory species arrive.

Machu Picchu: The Complete Timing Guide

Since Machu Picchu is the primary draw for most Peru visitors, it deserves dedicated attention.

Ticket Circuits and Availability

Peru's Ministry of Culture divides Machu Picchu into multiple visitor circuits, each with a specific route through the site. You cannot freely wander -- you follow the assigned circuit. The most popular circuits include views of the classic postcard angle.

Purchase tickets: Through the official website at tuboleto.cultura.pe. Third-party sites charge markups.
Peak season tickets (June-August): Book 4-8 weeks in advance for popular circuits and morning time slots.
Off-season tickets (November-March): Often available with just a few days' notice.

Inca Trail Permits

The classic 4-day Inca Trail is limited to 500 people per day (including porters and guides), with approximately 200 spots available for trekkers. Permits are non-transferable and must be booked through a licensed tour operator.

Booking Window	Months Available
6+ months ahead	Required for June-August
3-4 months ahead	Usually sufficient for May, September-October
1-2 months ahead	Often sufficient for November-April
Last minute	Rarely possible in any season

Recommended Operators: Alpaca Expeditions (consistently top-rated, $650-850), Salkantay Trekking ($500-700), Llama Path ($550-750). All prices include permits, meals, camping equipment, and porters.

Alternative Treks

If the Inca Trail is sold out, these alternatives offer equally spectacular scenery without the permit constraints:

Salkantay Trek (5 days): Passes below the 6,271-meter Salkantay peak. Wilder and more dramatic scenery than the Inca Trail. $350-550 per person.
Lares Trek (4 days): Passes through traditional Quechua communities. More cultural immersion, less altitude challenge. $300-500 per person.
Inca Jungle Trek (4 days): Includes mountain biking and zip-lining. The adventure option. $250-400 per person.

Altitude Acclimatization: Critical Planning Factor

Cusco sits at 3,400 meters above sea level. Machu Picchu, despite its mountain setting, is lower at 2,430 meters. The common mistake is flying directly from Lima (sea level) to Cusco and heading straight to Machu Picchu. This is backwards.

The Smart Acclimatization Strategy

Day 1: Fly from Lima to Cusco. Take it extremely easy. Walk slowly, drink coca tea (mate de coca, available everywhere), eat lightly, skip alcohol entirely. Many travelers feel headaches, nausea, or shortness of breath. This is normal.

Day 2: Explore Cusco at a gentle pace. Visit San Pedro Market, the Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha. Continue drinking coca tea or chewing coca leaves.

Day 3: Drop to the Sacred Valley (2,800 meters). Visit Ollantaytambo, Pisac, or Moray. The lower altitude provides relief while your body continues adapting.

Day 4+: You are now acclimatized enough for Machu Picchu (2,430 meters), which will actually feel easier than Cusco. If doing the Inca Trail, you are ready for the high passes (up to 4,215 meters at Dead Woman's Pass).

Medications: Acetazolamide (Diamox) can help prevent altitude sickness. Consult your doctor before the trip. It is also available at pharmacies in Lima without a prescription.

Who Should Be Cautious

People with heart conditions, respiratory issues, or a history of altitude sickness should consult a travel medicine specialist. Children under two years should generally not be taken to altitudes above 3,000 meters.

Lima's Food Scene: A Destination in Its Own Right

Lima has emerged as one of the world's great food cities, and the timing of your visit affects your dining experience.

Best Months for Lima Dining

December through March: Outdoor dining season. Rooftop restaurants and terrace seating are at their best. Fresh ceviche made with the day's catch is at peak quality.
May through September: The garua makes outdoor dining less appealing, but the food is equally excellent. This is comfort food season -- lomo saltado, aji de gallina, and hearty soups.
September: Mistura, Peru's largest food festival, typically takes place in September. It draws hundreds of thousands of visitors and showcases the country's incredible culinary diversity. Check exact dates, as they shift yearly.

Must-Visit Restaurants (Book Ahead)

Central (Miraflores): Virgilio Martinez's famous tasting menu exploring Peru's ecosystems. $150-200 per person. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Maido (Miraflores): Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian) cuisine by Mitsuharu Tsumura. $100-150 per person.
Isolina (Barranco): Traditional criollo cuisine in generous portions. $20-35 per person. No reservations, arrive early.
La Mar (Miraflores): Gaston Acurio's cevicheria. Lunch only. $25-40 per person.

Festival Calendar

Peru's festival calendar is one of the richest in South America. Major events to plan around:

Festival	When	Where	Notes
Carnival	February	Nationwide, best in Cajamarca	Water fights, parades
Semana Santa	March/April	Ayacucho	Elaborate Holy Week processions
Inti Raymi	June 24	Cusco	Festival of the Sun, book early
Fiestas Patrias	July 28-29	Nationwide	Independence Day, domestic travel spike
Senor de los Milagros	October	Lima	Massive purple-clad processions
Day of the Dead	November 1-2	Nationwide	Cemetery celebrations, offerings

Budget Comparison by Season

Daily Budget Estimates (Per Person, USD)

Category	Peak (Jun-Aug)	Shoulder (Apr-May, Sep-Oct)	Low (Nov-Mar)
Budget	$30-45	$25-35	$20-30
Mid-Range	$80-130	$60-100	$45-80
Luxury	$200-400+	$150-300	$120-250

Specific Costs

Machu Picchu entry ticket: 152 soles (approximately $40 USD)
Cusco Tourist Ticket (16 sites): 130 soles (approximately $35 USD)
PeruRail Expedition Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes: $60-80 one-way
PeruRail Vistadome (panoramic windows): $90-120 one-way
Domestic flight Lima to Cusco: $50-150 one-way (LATAM or Sky Airline)
Amazon lodge 3-day package (Tambopata): $250-600 depending on lodge tier
Refugio Amazonas (mid-range, Rainforest Expeditions): $350-450 for 3 days/2 nights
Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica (luxury): $500-700 for 3 days/2 nights

Practical Transport Tips

Getting Between Regions

Lima to Cusco: Fly. The bus takes 20+ hours through winding mountain roads. Flights are 1 hour 20 minutes and cost $50-150 one-way.
Cusco to Machu Picchu: Train from Ollantaytambo (1.5 hours) or Poroy station near Cusco (3.5 hours). No road access to Aguas Calientes except for a rough route from Santa Teresa with a final hike.
Cusco to Puno (Lake Titicaca): Tourist buses run daily (6-7 hours, $25-40) with stops at La Raya pass and Andahuaylillas church. Or fly via Lima.
Lima to Amazon: Fly to Puerto Maldonado (Tambopata region, 1.5 hours) or Iquitos (northern Amazon, 2 hours). No road to Iquitos -- it is only accessible by air or river.

Internal Buses

Cruz del Sur and Oltursa are the premium bus companies. Their top-tier seats (cama or suite class) recline nearly flat and include meals. A Lima-to-Arequipa overnight bus in cama class costs $30-50 and saves a hotel night.

Plan Your Peru Trip with TripGenie

Peru's overlapping seasons, altitude considerations, and transport logistics make it one of the trickiest countries to plan independently. TripGenie can build a multi-region itinerary that properly sequences your altitude acclimatization, aligns with the right seasonal windows for each zone, and flags any permit deadlines you need to meet. Feed in your dates, budget, and must-see destinations, and get a day-by-day plan that accounts for all the complexity.

The Verdict: When Should You Go?

Best overall window: Late May through mid-June or September. You get dry-season highland weather, the Amazon is accessible, and you avoid the absolute peak of tourist season and pricing.

Best for budget travelers: November through March (excluding Christmas and Inti Raymi). Wet season discounts are real, and Machu Picchu in the rain has a mystical quality that the Instagram crowd misses.

Best for food and culture: June (Inti Raymi) or September (Mistura food festival in Lima, pleasant highland weather).

Best for adventure trekkers: May or September. The Inca Trail and alternative treks are in optimal condition without the crush of July and August.

Peru is a country that rewards thoughtful planning. Get the timing right, and you will experience one of the most diverse, dramatic, and culturally rich destinations on the planet.

Best Time to Visit Peru: Machu Picchu, Amazon, and Coast Seasons