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
The 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 2 distinct climate zones. The right month depends on where in the country you're going.
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
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