Country guide
Peru
Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, Lima's food scene and Colca's condors; May to September is the Andean dry season.
Currency
PEN
Language
Spanish
+ Quechua
English
Widely spoken
Payment
Cash preferred
Power
Type A / B / C
230 V, 60 Hz
Dialing
+51
Destinations
Arequipa
Peru's White City: a colonial centre cut from volcanic stone beneath El Misti, and the gateway to Colca Canyon.
✓ best all yearCusco
The Inca empire's capital, still standing underneath the colonial city built on top of it.
✓ best Apr-NovIquitos
The biggest city on earth you cannot drive to, and the jumping-off point for Peru's Amazon.
✓ best May-OctLake Titicaca (Puno)
The Inca birthplace of the sun: reed islands, weaving islands and island homestays on a high Andean lake.
✓ best Mar-JanLima
South America's food capital, on desert cliffs above the Pacific, with ceviche at lunch and surf below the malecon.
✓ best Oct-AprMachu Picchu (Aguas Calientes)
The most complete Inca city left standing, on a ridge the conquistadors never found.
✓ best May-SepThe sweet-spot windows
Good weather, thinner crowds, better prices: the windows worth aiming for.
| Where | When | Why it works | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Jul-Sep | Low water = best wildlife + forest trails. Driest stretch | Dec-May flooded (good for cruises) |
| Lima/Coast | Dec-Apr | Sunny coastal summer. Escapes the grey garua fog months | May-Nov grey and damp |
| Machu Picchu | Apr-May, Oct | Shoulder of dry season: green, clear-ish, fewer crowds | Jan-Feb wettest (Inca Trail shut Feb) |
Climate zones, month by month
Peru has 6 distinct climate zones. The right month depends on where in the country you're going.
Arequipa →
✓ Best all year
Cards tinted by calculated verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions
Cusco →
✓ Best Apr-Nov · ✗ Avoid Feb
Conditions Jan Wet season · Feb Wettest, trail shut · Mar Wet easing · Apr Green, drying · May Dry & clear · Jun Dry, Inti Raymi · Jul Dry, cold nights · Aug-Sep Dry · Oct Dry shoulder · Nov Showers return · Dec Wet season
Watch for all year altitude risk
Cards tinted by verified verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions
Iquitos Amazon →
✓ Best May-Oct
Conditions Jan High water · Feb Wet · Mar Wettest · Apr High water · May Water dropping · Jun Low water starts · Jul Low water, wildlife · Aug Driest, trails · Sep Low water · Oct Warming, wet · Nov Wet building · Dec Wet
Watch for Mar-Apr monsoon flooding risk
Cards tinted by verified verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions
Lake Titicaca (Puno) Altiplano →
✓ Best Mar-Jan
Watch for all year altitude risk
Cards tinted by calculated verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions
Lima →
✓ Best Oct-Apr
Conditions Feb Warm & sunny · Mar Warm · Apr Mild · May Garua fog starts · Jun Grey & damp · Jul-Aug Grey garua · Sep Grey easing · Oct Clearing · Nov Warming · Dec Warm & sunny
Cards tinted by verified verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions
Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes) →
✓ Best May-Sep · ✗ Avoid Dec-Mar
Watch for Dec-Mar monsoon flooding risk
Cards tinted by calculated verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions