The climate of Peru
Peru's geography is diverse and includes coastal regions, mountainous terrains, and vast rainforests. This diversity causes the country to have various climate conditions across its regions. The coast of Peru is mostly arid or semi-arid, characterized by warm temperatures and little rainfall. The Andes Mountains have a highland climate where temperatures can drop below freezing, especially at night. The Amazon Rainforest region, on the other hand, has a tropical rainforest climate marked by hot, wet weather. In general, Peru does not experience the traditional four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Instead, it has two main seasons: the wet season and the dry season, which can vary depending on the geographical area.
The Best Time to Visit Peru
Choosing the best time to visit
Peru depends largely on the activities a traveler wishes to undertake. For those interested in hiking the Inca Trail or exploring other Andean highlights, the dry season, from
May to
September, provides the best conditions with less rain and clearer paths. This time is also optimal for visiting the coastal regions, as temperatures range between 15°C (59°F) to 25°C (77°F). However, those wanting to explore the Amazon rainforest might find the drier months of
June to
August more appealing, even though the region experiences rainfall throughout the year.
The Worst Time to Visit Peru
Traveling during the wet season, typically from
October to
April, can pose challenges, particularly in the highlands and the rainforest regions. In the Andes, heavy rains can cause landslides and make hiking trails impassable. Similarly, in the Amazon, high water levels can limit accessibility to certain areas. The coastal region, though not as dramatically affected by the wet season, sees fewer sunny days during this period.
Spring Weather in Peru
Peru's springtime is typically from
September to
November. In the coastal regions, temperatures start to rise, ranging from 15°C (59°F) to 25°C (77°F), and the weather is generally dry. Meanwhile, in the Andes, this period marks the start of the rainy season. Despite the showers, daytime temperatures in the Andes can reach up to 20°C (68°F) while nights drop to 0°C (32°F). In the Amazon, the weather remains consistently hot and wet, with temperatures often exceeding 30°C (86°F).
Summer Weather in Peru
In
Peru, the summer months are from
December to
March. Along the coast, temperatures can rise to 30°C (86°F). It's mostly sunny, making it an excellent time for beach activities. However, in the Andes, these months correspond to the wet season with heavy rainfall. The temperatures vary widely from 20°C (68°F) during the day to 0°C (32°F) at night. The Amazon Rainforest experiences high rainfall during these months, and temperatures stay consistently high, usually above 30°C (86°F).
Autumn Weather in Peru
Autumn in
Peru spans from
March to
May. This period sees a decrease in coastal temperatures to between 20°C (68°F) and 30°C (86°F). In the Andes, the heavy rains of the summer months begin to subside, though showers are still frequent. The temperatures remain the same, varying from 20°C (68°F) during the day to 0°C (32°F) at night. In the Amazon, rainfall continues, but starts to lessen towards the end of the period.
Winter Weather in Peru
Winter in
Peru is from
June to
August. During these months, the coastal region experiences cooler temperatures, ranging from 15°C (59°F) to 20°C (68°F). It's the dry season in the Andes, with daytime temperatures hovering around 20°C (68°F) and dropping to below freezing at night. In the Amazon, despite being winter, temperatures remain high, generally above 30°C (86°F), and rainfall, although present, is less than in other seasons.
Weather in January
January falls in the middle of the Peruvian summer, characterized by distinct climatic patterns across the country's three main regions: the coast, the mountains, and the rainforest. In the coastal region, including notable cities such as Lima and Trujillo, January is one of the warmest months of the year, with average temperatures hovering between 20°C (68°F) to 30°C (86°F).
Weather in January » Weather in February
February continues the weather patterns seen in
January across
Peru's diverse regions, with slight variations. On the coastal plain, where cities like Lima and Trujillo are located, February is typically the hottest month of the year.
Weather in February » Weather in March
As
Peru transitions from summer to autumn in
March, there are subtle changes in the weather patterns across its diverse landscapes. The coastal region, including cities such as Lima and Trujillo, starts to experience a decrease in temperature compared to the hot summer months.
Weather in March »Weather in April
In
April,
Peru witnesses a transition in weather patterns as the country moves further into autumn. On the coastal plain, which includes cities such as Lima and Trujillo, April continues the trend of decreasing temperatures from the summer highs.
Weather in April »Weather in May
May signifies the onset of the dry season in certain regions of
Peru, bringing changes to the overall weather conditions. In the coastal region, comprising cities like Lima and Trujillo, May experiences further cooling from the summer heat.
Weather in May » Weather in June
June marks the middle of the year in
Peru and brings further changes to the country's weather across its diverse regions. In the coastal region, cities like Lima and Trujillo experience the onset of winter. Average temperatures range from 14°C (57.2°F) to 20°C (68°F).
Weather in June » Weather in July
July in
Peru deepens the winter in the coastal region and the dry season in the Andean and Amazon regions, with distinctive weather characteristics in each. In the coastal region, including cities like Lima and Trujillo, July is the coldest month of the year.
Weather in July » Weather in August
August brings subtle changes to the weather across
Peru's diverse regions as the country begins its transition towards spring. In the coastal region, where cities like Lima and Trujillo are located, August still falls within the winter season.
Weather in August » Weather in September
In
September,
Peru transitions into spring, bringing about gradual changes in weather across its varied regions. In the coastal region, cities such as Lima and Trujillo see the end of winter and the temperatures start to climb gradually with averages ranging from 16°C (60.8°F) to 22°C (71.6°F).
Weather in September »Weather in October
As
Peru delves further into spring in
October, the weather varies across the country's diverse landscapes. In the coastal region, cities such as Lima and Trujillo continue to experience warming temperatures. Average temperatures can range from 18°C (64.4°F) to 24°C (75.2°F), signalling the approaching summer season.
Weather in October »Weather in November
As
Peru nears the end of spring in
November, the weather undergoes further changes across its distinct regions. In the coastal region, cities like Lima and Trujillo experience warmer temperatures in the lead-up to summer.
Weather in November »Weather in December
December in
Peru marks the beginning of summer on the coast and the continuation of the rainy season in the highlands and Amazon, each with distinct weather patterns. In the coastal region, cities such as Lima and Trujillo welcome summer with rising temperatures.
Weather in December »