Best Time to Travel to Peru

What is the best time to travel to Peru? Located in western South America and bordered by the Pacific Ocean, Peru has a climate that varies according to three main areas: the coast, the Andes, and the Amazon.

 

This climate can differ in the same area depending on whether you are in the north or the south. However, there are two common reasons: the first, known as the wet season, takes place from October to April.

 

The second is called dry runs from May to September. On the coastal part of Peru, there is almost no rainfall, which does not prevent high humidity.

The best time to travel to Peru depends on the geographic area you want to travel to in Peru, the best season will not be the same. Prefer summer for the coast, that is to say from December to March, where you will enjoy relatively warm temperatures, between 25 and 30 ° C, without mist, despite the presence of rains.

 

For the Andes and Amazon regions, avoid the rainy season (the period from December to April).

 

Going between June and September is ideal because the humidity is less present (dry season). Be careful, however, of temperature differences. Here is a presentation of the climate in Peru according to the three major regions mentioned.

 

What is the best time to travel to the most famous places in Peru?

1. The coast of Peru

 

The Peruvian coast, nearly 3000 km long, is very popular with locals and tourists alike as it experiences virtually no rainfall. The climate is more or less desert and dry. These characteristics of an arid subtropical climate allow you to make the most of your stay in Peru.

 

The lack of rain observable on the coasts of Peru is explained by the cold south / north ocean currents, which thus block any evaporation.

A trip between December and March, since these are the hottest months, is ideal. With an average oscillating between 25 and 30 ° C, the temperatures are very pleasant. The coldest months on the coasts of Peru are between June and August, with an average of between 15 and 20 ° C.

Lima, the capital of the country, located in the center of the coast, enjoys a mild climate all year round with minimum temperatures between 12 and 20 ° C, and highs between 25 and 30 ° C. However, from May to September, and within a radius of 50 km, the city suffers from a thick, very humid fog called “La Garuda”. The sun is scarce in Lima during this period. Like the rest of the coast, there is little rain here, around 700mm of water per year, but with high humidity due to this persistent haze.

Depending on your latitude along the coast (further north or further south), the climate will not be similar. North of the coast, the climate is semi-arid with high temperatures in summer: between 28 and 38 ° C during the day, and between 20 and 23 ° C at night.

Winter will be more pleasant with more bearable heat, around 25 ° C during the day and 16 ° C at night. As for the central and southern coast, the climate will be milder. There is rainfall in the order of 10 to 150 mm of water per year, that is to say, relatively reduced.

 

Summer will be a very pleasant time to travel to Peru, with plenty of sunshine throughout the season. Winter, meanwhile, will be colder and slightly wetter, especially from June to October.

2. The Andes Cordillera

 

The Andes Cordillera is the largest mountain range in the world. It crosses Peru from north to south for several thousand kilometers. The climate is generally temperate but different depending on the altitude and proximity to the sea.

 

Overall, we notice that the summer is rainy and the winter drier, which is ideal for hiking. For any trip to discover the Andes Cordillera, it is recommended to avoid the period between December and April since it is the rainy season.

 

However, we notice that during the rainy season, the sun is present in the morning and that it is especially the afternoons that are very humid. We, therefore, organize our days as best we can according to these data! The temperatures are pleasant there with an average of between 20 and 25 ° C. Watch out for much cooler nights!

So the best time to travel to Andes Cordillera in Peru depending on the altitude at which you are located in the Andes Cordillera, but also the latitude (north/south position) the precipitation will be more or less heavy in some places.

 

For example, in the southwest area, there is rainfall between 100 and 500 mm per year while on the east coast, rainfall exceeds 1000 mm per year. The hottest and most humid part of the Andes Cordillera is in the north.

 

From May, the Andes Cordillera will be less humid and the dry period will begin from June to October. This is the period that we recommend to enjoy hiking or to discover the site of Machu Picchu and the city of Cuzco. The sun and heat are present although the nights remain cold. Be aware that around Lake Titicaca and the city of Puno, a cold spell is possible between July and August.
 

3. The best time to travel to Peru Amazonia

A large natural region in South America, the Amazon crosses many countries. Located in the easternmost part of Peru, it represents 65% of Peruvian territory and the climate is very hot and very humid. Temperatures are warm all year round with an average of 30 ° C. There are two seasons in particular.

 

The wettest season is between December and April although there is rainfall throughout the year. You should know that during this period there are heavy and brief showers. Very often, the sun returns very quickly after this rainy episode … and this season does not discourage some tourists.

 

A drier season will be observed from June to August and between April to November. These months will be more pleasant for any excursion in the Amazon because the humidity will be less and the heat more bearable for walking for several hours.

 

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