Worst time to visit Peru 2024
When is the worst time to visit Peru?
We have said it before, and we are more than happy to say it again, Peru is an incredible country! It’s full of all kinds of surreal landscapes and deep history.
Whilst most guides you can find online focus on the very best times to visit, not much is said about when you should avoid visiting Peru.
Whilst we personally think you could enjoy any month in this unforgettable country, the truth is that backpackers will need to consider a variety of factors as well as their own goals to get the most out of a trip here.
In this guide we’ll explore the worst time to visit Peru, and how this can affect your trip. On the contrary we’ll also take a look at the best month to visit, as well as when to visit specific areas of Peru.
The Worst Time to Visit Peru
Quick Answer: From our personal experience, we have found that December and January are the worst months to visit Peru. Although Lima and the coast are relatively hot, the rest of the country enters the rainy season which can affect daily plans and also make certain areas inaccessible (floods in the jungle or landslides, for example).
As you can probably imagine, they are also more expensive months too due to the Christmas season and other religious festivities. Despite all that though we firmly believe that Peru is worth visiting (all year round) providing you know what you’re traveling here for.
What is the Best Month to Visit Peru?
Whilst any month of the dry season is a good time to visit (June until October), if we had to pick one then that would be September.
It’s perfect for hiking across the Andes, and although temperatures are cooler, it’s still tolerable. The jungle regions such as iquitos aren’t as wet, which is ideal for wildlife spotting, and you’ll also find it great for meeting other travelers too (September is a popular month for backpackers).
For a more detailed breakdown on the best time to go to Peru based on our personal experience you can visit our dedicated guide which also looks at various regions.
Best Time to Visit Lima?
The capital as a whole is a strange city to visit, with its own particular microclimate going against the rest of the country. This means it hardly ever rains in Lima throughout the year, so of course the warmer summer months (November until January) would be the best for a visit.
Warmer temperatures mean it’s best for going surfing, or heading on day trips around the region. Whilst it won’t be as busy as the winter months, budget travelers will want to avoid Christmas which sees a hike-up in prices. See our guide on the best time to visit Lima for more detailed info.
Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu?
One of the must-visits when in Peru, you’ll want to plan in advance when heading to Machu Picchu.
Not only for the weather, but also as tickets can sell out quickly (you can pre-book your day tour here).
Overall the shoulder months are the best time to visit these Incan ruins, which include September / October as well as March / April. The rains will be lower around these months, and also temperatures are more tolerable.
Regardless of when you visit Machu Picchu, it will be somewhat busy so try to head up early in the morning to beat the crowds.
Best Time to Visit Cusco?
Another popular city is Cusco, which is a similar story to Machu Picchu. The months of September and October are the most ideal, as temperatures aren’t as bitterly cold as they would be in the middle of the winter, and also as the rains are yet to have arrived.
These two months are ideal for getting good prices on day trips, since more tourists are coming and companies will try to be competitive on pricing.
Hikes such as that around Ausangate National Park will also be great in these months. Just remember your Coca Leaves or Soroche tablets to help deal with the high altitudes!
Best Time to Visit the Peruvian Amazon?
The Amazon Jungle is more complex, with different advantages for different times of the year.
Those who want to see mammal wildlife will want to head during the dry season (May until September) when shrinking river banks mean a higher chance of spotting animals like Jaguars and Tapir.
The wet season (October until April) on the other hand brings more rain, meaning you can explore deeper by boat as the waters flood the jungle.
The wet season is best for seeing Crocodiles and Pink River Dolphins, however you’ll need to bring good mosquito repellent since they are more active in these months.
We highly recommend joining this 3 Day Jungle Tour from Iquitos, where you’ll see all kinds of rare and exotic animals regardless of the time of year.
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Worst Time to Visit Peru
And that’s all for this guide on the worst time to visit Peru.
Whilst Latin American countries such as Peru will have unforgettable experiences regardless of when you visit, there’s definitely better times to visit than others.
This is especially so if planning on doing certain activities, such as hikes through the Amazon Jungle or heading off the beaten path into the Andes.
In this guide we’ve explored not only the worst time to visit Peru, but also the best times too. This includes the best month for specific destinations such as Cusco and Lima.
Will you be traveling to Peru soon? Remember to check out our fully comprehensive Backpacking Peru Itinerary for more travel tips and suggestions for your trip here.
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