Best time to visit Peru 2024
Peru is a truly fascinating country to visit. It is here we can explore various ancient ruins, hike through some unforgettable landscapes as well as throw ourselves into a culture which is known for its old traditions and mouth-watering foods.
In this guide we’ll explore the best time to visit Peru, which includes whether this country is worth visiting as well as how long we recommend spending here.
As well as looking at 5 of the very best things to do in Peru, we’ll also answer your most burning questions in our FAQ section which hone in on some key talking points.
Best time to visit Peru
The overall best months to visit Peru are September and October, which mark the start of the shoulder season of spring.
Rainfall is very low, whilst temperatures are much more comfortable compared to the more chilly lows of the winter.
Is Peru worth visiting?
Quick Answer: Yes! Peru has tons going for it, and I (George) could talk non-stop about why everyone must visit here at least once in their lifetime.
Firstly we have the epic landscapes, where you can hike up to glacial lakes, go wildlife spotting in the Amazon jungle as well as go Sandboarding in the remote Ica Desert.
We’ll also find a fascinating mixture of cultures here too. Peru has a really deep ancient history, with civilisations such as the Inca, Chavin and Chimú best known for their advancements and incredible ruins.
You can also get off the beaten path too, and visit sites such as Kuelap in the High Amazon Jungle as well as the ruins of Chavín de Huántar which is situated in the remote Andes just outside of Huaraz.
As already mentioned, the food here is very memorable too. Peruvian cuisine is slowly taking the world by storm, which is apparent with the recent achievement of the Central Restaurant (which was named the best on Earth in 2023).
From Ceviche to local staples like the Papa Rellena, you can try a number of mouth-watering dishes here! Lima and Arequipa are especially known for their variety of great local foods.
What is the best month to visit Peru?
The very best months to visit Peru are September and October.
They are both within the tail end of the dry season, so there’s mostly little rain around the country (the exception being the Amazon – which whilst drier this time of year, will still have heavy showers every now and then).
As well as temperatures being moderate around the country, you’ll also find these months livelier too given they’re more popular (this means both a more festive backpacking scene as well as having more local events on).
It’s also worth noting that the other shoulder months of March and April (autumn) are also great for a visit. You’ll get similar weather patterns, however this time is much quieter with less tourists.
How long should I spend in Peru?
For the strong majority of travelers, we think that 4 weeks is great for a trip to Peru (especially when on a longer backpacking route through South America).
With this amount of time you can enjoy the cities of Lima, Arequipa and Cusco, and everything they have to offer.
You can also visit breathtaking places too such as Huacachina and the Amazon Jungle.
We’d break down a 4 week Peru itinerary in the following way (based on our experience):
- Lima (4 days)
- Huaraz (4 days)
- Huacachina (1 days)
- Arequipa (6 days)
- Puno (2 days)
- Cusco (7 days)
- Iquitos (4 days)
You can also check out our Peru Itinerary for more ideas and ways to plan your trip here.
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Top Things to do in Peru
Let’s now explore 5 of the very best things you can see and do when in Peru.
Go Hiking around Huaraz
There’s a good reason we included this city as one of our major stops on our itinerary above. Huaraz is the gateway to many incredible mountain ranges, such as the Cordillera Blanca and the Huascarán National Park.
Within these regions we’ll find plenty of alpine lagoons that are great for that once-in-a-lifetime photo, such as Laguna Parón and Laguna 69.
There’s also many snow-capped peaks here that are perfect for hiking, and here we can find many multi-day circuits such as the Santa Cruz trek for the more avid hikers among us.
However if you prefer something shorter, then we highly recommend heading on this day trek up Nevado Mateo. Here you’ll have to work a bit – however the views are really stunning from above. You’ll have all hiking equipment provided, transport as well as lunch.
Explore the City Highlights of Lima
We’re not too sure why – however Lima tends to get a bad rep from most backpacking sites and from those who head on a short trip through Peru.
However, given I (George) have lived here for over a year, I can give a more fair and true picture of the capital.
Miraflores is the touristy heart, which is the safest place to base yourself in with lots of amenities nearby. From here you can easily go surfing in the Pacific, or visit the underrated ruins of Huaca Pucllana (which are just a few blocks north of Parque Kennedy).
The Historic Centre also has many awesome gems worth visiting, however it’s worth going with a group tour as it’s not the safest area.
This includes the Plaza de Armas as well as various colonial buildings such as those of Torre Tagle and the Casa de Aliaga.
However the true highlight is the Catacombs of San Francisco, and on this organized tour you can visit these chilling tunnels which are decorated with over 75,000 skeletal remains.
Head Deep into the Amazon Jungle
The Peruvian Amazon is the second largest of all territories in this expansive region (after Brazil’s portion).
Here we’ll find many cities and towns that are perfect jumping off points to see the jungle, including those of Puerto Maldonado, Pucallpa and Tarapoto.
However the very best will always be Iquitos, which is much deeper and located in a more remote setting than all other cities here (you can only get here by plane or boat).
Once you head on a tour just a few kilometers out from the city, you begin to see all kinds of exotic animals and rare species.
Some of the very best include Pink Dolphins which are native to this region, as well as Capuchin Monkeys and Tapir. If you’re lucky you may even get to see big cat species too such as a Jaguar or Ocelot.
We highly recommend heading on this multi-day tour, where you’ll see many incredible animals, watch the sunrise over the jungle as well as get to know the native Yahuas tribe.
Visit the Ancient Ruins of the Sacred Valley
This mountainous region is a must-visit on any itinerary through Peru, and its close proximity to Cusco makes it perfect for several day trips during your time here.
Once the central heart of all things Inca, their legacy has left behind a variety of interesting ruins and archaeological sites that we can easily explore.
These include the circular ruins of Moray which were used for agricultural development, as well as those of Saqsaywamán, which are famous for their air-tight boulders that are fitted together with no cement or adhesive used (of which even a needle can’t be passed between).
The most famous of course is Machu Picchu, which was an important ceremonial site used by the Incas which is famous for its incredible positioning and mountainous backdrop.
You can visit with this highly-rated day tour, which includes your entrance ticket, all transport as well as the infamous panoramic train ride to and from Aguascalientes.
Feast on Peruvian Cuisine
The cuisine of Peru is really diverse with staples and ingredients hailing from all over, including from the high Andes as well as from deep within the Amazon Jungle.
This has been captured perfectly by Virgilio Martinez of Central – which was recently ranked as the best restaurant on earth.
However you don’t need to break the bank coming here to experience this, as you can find great
local restaurants all over the country.
Some of the best foods to try include Papa a la Huancaina (potato-based dish with a special sauce), Lomo Saltado (a sirloin stir fry) as well as Ceviche (raw fish).
Those who are in Lima can join this Ultimate Food Tour, where you’ll try up to 15 different flavors and dishes from all over Peru!
Peru FAQ’s
Here are some questions backpackers ask before traveling to Peru:
Best time to visit Peru
And that’s all for this guide on the best time to visit Peru.
This South American nation is a great all-rounder. Here you can have it all, including visiting legendary ruins, hiking through the Amazon jungle, trying tasty local dishes as well as really getting off the beaten path.
In this guide we’ve covered the best time to visit Peru, as well as our own personal recommendations for you to get the most out of a trip here.
At the end we’ve also answered your most burning questions in our FAQ section.
If you are planning a trip to Peru then remember to read our Peru Itinerary for even more ideas on what to see and do while spending your time in this awesome nation.
👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.
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