Peru is a meteorological jigsaw puzzle. Honestly, trying to sum up the climate in one sentence is basically impossible because you’re dealing with everything from bone-dry coastal deserts to freezing Andean peaks and sweltering Amazonian jungles. Most people pack a swimsuit and a parka, then realize they need both in the same afternoon.
If you are wondering what is the weather like in peru, the short answer is: it depends entirely on where you are standing and what time of year it is. Unlike the four distinct seasons most North Americans or Europeans are used to, Peru operates on a binary of "wet" and "dry." But even that is a bit of a simplification.
The Three Perus: Coast, Sierra, and Selva
To understand the weather here, you have to look at the geography. Peru is split into three main regions: the Coast (La Costa), the Highlands (La Sierra), and the Jungle (La Selva). Each one follows its own set of rules.
The Coast: Where It Never Rains (Except When It Does)
The Peruvian coast is one of the weirdest places on Earth. It’s a desert, yet it's often covered in a thick, damp fog called garúa. In Lima, you might go years without seeing a proper rainstorm. Instead, from May to October, the city is blanketed in a gray, moody mist that keeps everything humid but never quite drenching.
- Summer (December–March): This is beach season. The fog clears, the sun comes out, and temperatures in places like Máncora or Paracas can soar up to 80°F or even 100°F (about 27°C to 38°C) in the far north.
- Winter (June–September): It’s not "cold" by Canadian standards, but it is chilly. Expect 55°F to 65°F (13°C to 18°C) with 90% humidity. It gets into your bones.
The big wildcard here is El Niño. Every few years, warm water pushes back the cold Humboldt Current. When that happens, the coast can get hit with torrential rains that the infrastructure just isn't built for. In early 2026, forecasters are actually watching for a transition into ENSO-neutral conditions, meaning we might dodge the extreme El Niño chaos this cycle.
The Highlands: The Land of Four Seasons in a Day
This is where Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca live. Here, the weather is dictated by altitude. You’ll be sweating in the sun at noon and shivering by 6:00 PM.
What is the weather like in peru's mountains? It’s a game of light and shadow. In the dry season (May to October), the skies are a piercing, impossible blue. It’s the best time for trekking the Inca Trail, but those clear skies mean the heat escapes at night. In July, temperatures in Cusco can drop to near freezing ($0$°C) once the sun dips behind the peaks.
The rainy season (November to April) is a different beast. January and February are the wettest months. The Inca Trail actually closes in February for maintenance because the mud and rain make it a mess. However, this is also when the mountains are at their greenest. If you don't mind a afternoon downpour, the "Sacred Valley" looks like a scene from Jurassic Park this time of year.
The Amazon: Hot, Humid, and... Rainier
In the jungle (Iquitos or Madre de Dios), it’s always hot. The average high is usually around 88°F (31°C). The humidity is constant—basically like walking around in a warm, wet blanket.
👉 See also: Is the Skyway Bridge Open Right Now: What Most People Get Wrong
There is a "low water" season from June to October. This is when the rivers recede, exposing sandy banks and making it easier to spot caimans or walk on jungle trails. In the "high water" season (December to May), the rivers can rise by 30 feet. You’ll spend more time in a canoe, which is actually the best way to see monkeys and birds in the canopy.
Month-by-Month Cheat Sheet
| Month | Coast (Lima) | Highlands (Cusco) | Jungle (Iquitos) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan - Mar | Sunny, hot, crowded beaches. | Heavy rain, lush green hills. | Peak rain, high river levels. |
| Apr - May | Transition: Fog starts to roll in. | Rainy season ends. Perfect trekking. | Rain starts to taper off. |
| Jun - Aug | Constant gray "garúa" fog. | Dry, sunny days, freezing nights. | Low water, best for hiking. |
| Sep - Oct | Still gray, starting to clear. | Warm days, occasional showers. | Humidity rises, flowers bloom. |
| Nov - Dec | Summer begins, very pleasant. | Rain starts to pick up. | Rainy season kicks back in. |
Packing for the Chaos
Since you'll likely be hopping between these zones, packing is a nightmare if you overthink it. Forget the heavy parkas unless you’re doing high-altitude mountaineering.
- Layers are everything. A moisture-wicking base layer, a fleece, and a high-quality rain shell will get you through 90% of Peru.
- Sunscreen is non-negotiable. Because of the thin atmosphere in the Andes and the proximity to the Equator, you will burn in 15 minutes, even if it feels cool.
- The "Dry Bag" trick. If you’re heading to the Amazon or the Andes in the shoulder season, bring dry bags for your electronics. A sudden Andean downpour can ruin a camera in seconds.
Final Practical Insights
Don't let the "rainy season" scare you away from the highlands. Often, it rains for two hours in the afternoon, and the rest of the day is beautiful. Plus, prices for hotels in Cusco drop significantly in months like November or March.
If you want the absolute best balance of weather across all three regions, aim for the shoulder months: May or September. In May, the mountains are still green from the rains, but the skies have cleared. In September, you beat the coldest winter nights in the Andes but arrive before the heavy rains return.
Watch the 2026 forecast closely if you’re planning a coastal trip; if the predicted shift from La Niña to neutral holds, the surfing conditions in the north should be world-class without the risk of extreme flooding. Check the local SENAMHI (Peru's national weather service) reports once you land for the most accurate 48-hour outlooks.
👉 See also: Problems with Frontier Airlines: What Most People Get Wrong About Flying the Green Tails
To prep for your trip, start by breaking your itinerary into regions rather than looking at a national average. A weather app showing "Peru" is useless—you need to toggle between Lima, Cusco, and Iquitos to see the real story. Get your gear sorted by focusing on breathability for the coast and thermal retention for the mountains.