Weather in Peru

The best time to visit Peru's Andean regions — including Cusco, Machu Picchu, and the Sacred Valley — is during the dry season from May through October. June, July, and August bring the clearest skies, the most reliable trekking conditions on the Inca Trail, and the most spectacular festivals including Inti Raymi (June 24) in Cusco. These are also the busiest months, so booking accommodation, Inca Trail permits, and Machu Picchu entry tickets months in advance is essential. The dry season nights at altitude can be very cold, so pack warm layers even if days are sunny and warm.

The wet season from November through April brings heavier rainfall to the Andes, with January and February being the wettest months — the Inca Trail is actually closed entirely in February for maintenance. However, the wet season has real advantages: the crowds thin significantly, prices drop, the landscape turns brilliantly green, and many secondary sites like Choquequirao become even more atmospheric in the mist. Lima on the coast has its own climate — overcast and cool from June to November (a phenomenon called garúa), and warmer and clearer from December through May. The Amazon jungle is accessible year-round, with slightly better wildlife viewing in the dry season.