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Peru contains three climates that have almost nothing to do with each other. The coast, the Andes and the Amazon are on completely different schedules, and the month that is perfect for one can be the worst for another.
So the honest answer to when you should visit depends entirely on where you are going.
The three Perus
- The Andes, including Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu: a clear dry season from roughly May to September and a wet season from December to March.
- The coast, including Lima: essentially reversed, with warm sunny summers from December to March and a grey coastal fog blanketing Lima for much of the winter.
- The Amazon: hot and humid year-round, with high water and low water seasons that change what you can do rather than whether you can go.
If your trip combines Cusco and Lima, which most do, you are choosing which one to optimise for. Most people rightly prioritise the mountains.
The Andean dry season: May to September
This is the classic window and the reason most people travel then. Days are bright and clear, trails are firm, and the odds of a clouded-out Machu Picchu are at their lowest.
The trade-offs are crowds and cold. June to August is peak season, with the highest prices and the fastest-selling tickets and permits. Nights in Cusco are properly cold, frequently around freezing, and the thin dry air makes it feel sharper still. Many older buildings have no heating.
May and September are the sweet spot: largely dry, noticeably quieter, and the landscape in May is still green from the rains.
The Andean wet season: December to March
Rain in the highlands is usually an afternoon affair rather than all day, and the countryside is at its greenest and most photogenic. Prices drop and the major sites are far less crowded.
Two genuine caveats. The classic Inca Trail closes for maintenance for the whole of February, every year, and heavy rain occasionally disrupts the rail line to Aguas Calientes. Landslides are a real if infrequent risk in the wettest weeks.
For a trip focused on Machu Picchu and Cusco rather than multi-day trekking, the wet season is more workable than its reputation, provided you build in a spare day.
Compare rates across seasons
The gap between June and February pricing in Cusco is substantial. Check both before fixing dates:
Month by month
January to March
Wettest in the Andes and best on the coast. Lima is sunny and warm, which is exactly when its beaches make sense. The Inca Trail is closed throughout February. Good value in Cusco if you accept afternoon rain.
April and May
The rains taper off and the highlands are green and increasingly clear. May in particular is excellent: dry weather, lush landscape and pre-peak prices. One of the two best months to travel.
June to August
Peak season. Reliable sunshine, cold nights, maximum crowds and highest prices. Inti Raymi in late June fills Cusco completely and is worth seeing if you plan around it. Book everything well ahead.
September and October
The other sweet spot. September is still mostly dry with thinning crowds; October sees the first showers return. Good value and comfortable conditions.
November and December
The wet season builds. November is a reasonable shoulder month. By late December the rains are established, though Christmas and New Year bring their own domestic tourism peak and prices to match.
What to pack, whenever you go
Layers are essential in the Andes in every month, because the difference between direct sun and shade at altitude is dramatic. Bring a warm jacket for evenings year-round, a waterproof between November and April, strong sun protection always, and sturdy shoes for uneven Inca stonework.
If Lima is on your itinerary in the southern winter, pack for grey and mild rather than tropical. Visitors regularly arrive expecting sunshine and find weeks of low cloud.
Frequently asked questions
When is Machu Picchu least crowded?
The wet season months, particularly January and February. Daily visitor caps mean the site is never empty, but the difference in atmosphere is noticeable.
Will rain ruin Machu Picchu?
Not usually. Cloud often lifts mid-morning, and mist drifting through the ruins is striking in its own right. Bring a rain layer rather than an umbrella, which is awkward on the circuits.
Is the Inca Trail really closed in February?
Yes, the classic route closes annually for maintenance. Alternative treks such as Salkantay generally continue to operate, weather permitting.
What is the best single month?
May or September, for the combination of dry weather, green landscape and fewer people than midwinter peak.