Best time to visit Peru

[Pete]

Hi everyone, just wondering when is the best earliest time in the year to visit peru? I would love to visit all the inca settlements machu picchu especially etc.. but don't want to get there and find it covered in snow! ive tried to look on the internet for weather at certain times of the year but nothing yet. so any help would be great.

many thanks

Pete

[ftuley]

Peru's weather is so unpredictable, in fact, it's not uncommon to experience all four seasons in a single day, generally speaking, Peru has two seasons, wet and dry, but in a country as geographically diverse as Peru, local weather patterns vary greatly. In the highlands, the dry season is between June and October, but even the mountains wet season isn't always really wet and the dry season sees its share of downpours. Temperatures during the day in the dry season can get hot making shorts rather inviting. At night, temperatures can drop quickly and a warm sweater makes walking around the plazas comfortable. The Amazon experiences...you guessed it, rain heat and more rain and heat! The average daytime temperature is 30-32º C (85-90º F), while nights can cool down to 20º C (68º F). They do have a wet and wetter season with the wet (dry) season corresponding with the dry season in the highlands. The desert coast is arid. From January to March the sky is clear and the air tends to be hot and sticky,so I would say this is the best time to go. Peruvians go to the beach at this time. The rest of the year the gray coastal mist known as guara moves in and the sun is rarely seen. the Sacred Valley of the Incas is full of beautiful scenery, with impressive platforms and very important archaeological sites.Machu Picchu perhaps the most spectacular ruin in the Americas, Machu Picchu spreads over 5 sq mi (13 sq km), with over 3,000 steps linking in many different levels.The
Lake Titicaca is also a good one to see according to the Inca legend, from the dark waters of the Titicaca Lake (most highest navigable lake in the world). Take a look at this link and you will find other Things to do in Peru. I hope you have a good time there,take care.

[DawnontheAmazon]

Hi Pete, the best time to visit Peru is always whenever you can. Planning a trip around the weather is only slightly tweaking the odds. One time I went on a three week survival fishing trip in the Amazon rainforest during the so called wet season and it did not even sprinkle for 13 day straight days.

Another time I was at Machu Picchu for three days, and Cuzco for 5 days over Christmas and the weather was wonderful. Two mornings there was no mist on Machu Picchu and photography was perfect.

I agree with ftuley that Jan-Mar are the traditional beach times, but I spent a week in Mancora in early Dec and it was great. Besides the price is usually cheaper in the "off season".

Something else to consider is when is the weather bad where you live? That is the best time to travel.

I love Peru. For me there is no off season. I am sure you will have a fine adventure when ever you can visit Peru.

[Travel Argentina]

So maybe it's worth going for several days if you want to ensure the weather is clear enough for taking great photos?

[Dina]

I was also trying to plan a visit to Peru and found this post, you have answered me too, Thanks