When is the rainy season in Peru?

The wet season in the Andes and Amazon runs roughly November to March, peaking around January and February. The classic Inca Trail is normally closed each February for maintenance, so plan around that if it is on your list.

When is the best time for the Peruvian coast and Lima?

The coast is warmest and sunniest from around December to March, which is summer in the southern hemisphere. During the Andean dry season Lima is often grey and cool, so the coast and the mountains peak at opposite times of year.

When are flights to Peru cheapest?

Fares are usually lower in the shoulder and wet-season months, away from the June-to-August peak and the December holidays. Travelling in April, May or September can combine reasonable weather with better prices.

Best Time to Visit Peru: A Month-by-Month Guide (2026)

Q: What is the best month to visit Peru?

For the Andes and Machu Picchu, the dry season from roughly May to September gives the clearest skies and best hiking. May and September are especially good because they sit just outside the busiest, most expensive months of June to August.

Reviewed by the ScanFlyGo team · Last updated: August 2026. Weather is general guidance and varies year to year — check local forecasts before you travel.

Quick answer

The best time to visit Peru’s highlands — Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu — is the dry season from about May to September, with clear skies and reliable hiking. May and September are the sweet spot: good weather with thinner crowds and lower prices than the June–August peak. The coast, by contrast, is best in the southern-hemisphere summer, roughly December to March.

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Dry season vs wet season

Peru packs three very different environments into one country, and they don’t share a calendar. Understanding the two broad seasons in the Andes is the key to timing your trip.

Season	Rough months	What to expect
Dry season (Andes)	May–Sep	Clear days, cold nights, best for trekking
Wet season (Andes)	Nov–Mar	Greener scenery, afternoon rain, fewer crowds
Shoulder months	Apr, Oct	A mix of both — often good value

Peru by region and month

The Andes and Machu Picchu

June to August is the classic window: dependable dry weather but the largest crowds and highest prices. May and September deliver much of the same weather with more breathing room. The traditional Inca Trail typically closes for February, so if you want that specific trek, avoid that month.

The coast and Lima

Lima and the southern coast are warmest and brightest from December to March. During the Andean dry season the capital is often cloaked in grey coastal mist, so beach time and mountain time rarely align — plan your route accordingly.

The Amazon

The rainforest is hot and humid year-round. The drier months (roughly May to October) make trails easier, while the wetter months raise river levels and open up more waterways by boat. Both have their appeal.

When flights and lodges cost the most

Prices track the dry-season peak. Expect the highest fares and busiest trails from June through August and around the December holidays. Travelling in the shoulder months — April, May, September or October — usually means better availability and lower costs.

Book Machu Picchu entry and any permits early for peak months — capacity is limited.
Consider May or September to balance good weather against price.
Set a price alert so you catch fare dips on long-haul routes to Lima.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to visit Peru?

May or September for the Andes and Machu Picchu — dry weather without the peak-season crowds and prices.

When is the rainy season?

Roughly November to March in the highlands and Amazon, peaking in January and February. The Inca Trail usually closes each February.

When is the coast best?

December to March, the southern-hemisphere summer — the opposite of the Andean dry season.

When are flights cheapest?

Usually the shoulder and wet-season months, away from the June–August and December peaks.

The bottom line

Time your Peru trip around the region you care about most: dry season for the Andes, summer for the coast. Aim for the shoulder months to balance weather, crowds and price, and let alerts watch the fare. Start a live search on ScanFlyGo, browse popular routes to Lima, and track your flight live on the day you travel.

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