When to visit Peru

Peru's climate varies across the country according to altitude, season and a variety of other factors. The coastal climate is affected by the cold Humboldt Current; cool sea air coming into contact with the hot desert sands condenses into rain during the winter months, from May to November, forming a thick sea fog that settles over the southern part of the coast and the cities here. However, it hardly ever rains. During the summer, the coast is hot and dry, especially in the north.

Inland, the dry season is from April to October. Temperatures are steady and consistently warm during the day but chilly at night and can drop below freezing. In the jungle, temperatures can climb high, to 35C, although the evenings are often chilled. November to April is the wet season. At tis time inland is cool and dry during the morning with showers typically in the afternoon. The jungle is hot and humid, with heavy rainfall possible at any time during these months.

A climactic effect known as El Niño affects Peru roughly every three to seven tears. The phenomenon, connected with warm water currents causing the average sea temperature to rise, isn't well understood but the results are dramatic and can include droughts, fires, crop failures and poor fishing

In general, the busiest time for foreign visitors is June to September. You should time when to go based on where you want to go and what you want to do though. The high season for coastal Peru is September and again from late December to March. In the highlands the high season lasts from May to September. The Amazon is best visited during the dry season, from April to October.