When to Go

The traditional time to visit Peru is in the South American winter, June–August, when dry, sunny weather opens up over the mountains and the Amazon. Because Peru’s dry months coincide perfectly with summer vacation in North America and Europe, this is also when most travelers visit Peru. Prices for lodging tend to go up during these months, and hot spots like Machu Picchu can be crowded. Especially crowded times are Inti Raymi, the June 24 sun festival in Cusco, and Fiestas Patrias, the national Peruvian holiday at the end of July.

The bulk of the rainy season is between December and April, when trekking and other outdoor activities are hampered by muddy paths and soggy skies. To avoid crowds, we heartily recommend squeezing your trip in between the rainy season and the high tourist months. May, September, October, and even November are excellent times to visit Peru. The weather is usually fine and prices for lodging tend to be lower.

There are some dry spots in the country, however, even during the wettest months. Peru’s largest jungle city, Iquitos, is far enough down the Amazon basin to have a less-pronounced wet season. Clouds move in most afternoons throughout the year, drop a load of water, and then shuffle away again to reveal sun. The only thing that fluctuates in Iquitos year-round is the Amazon River itself, which heaves up and down in tune with highland rains. So Iquitos is a year-round option for visiting the Amazon.

Peru’s desert coast can also be visited year-round because hardly any rain falls here. Ironically, the sunniest months on the coast are the wettest in the highlands, December–March. The weather is especially bright and sunny in Peru’s extreme north coast, where surfers congregate for the white-sand beaches and huge seasonal breaks.

What to Take

Travel light and have a carefree vacation—drop-off laundry is common throughout Peru’s cities, so you don’t need to bring more than five days’ clothing. Try to fit everything into a medium-sized backpack, which will allow you to walk around easily and spring in and out of jungle boats.

For Peru’s hot jungle and coastal climates, we recommend light, fast-drying clothing that protects your arms and legs from sun and mosquitoes. A wide-brimmed hat, with a string to keep it from blowing off your head, is essential. Bandanas to protect the neck from sun are a good idea as well, and of course, sunscreen and dark sunglasses. In case your shoes get wet, bring along an extra pair of lightweight shoes or waterproof sandals—most jungle lodges will lend you rubber boots for mud tromping.

If you're headed to the highlands, you will want to add a lightweight rain jacket, a fleece jacket, and some silk-weight long underwear for sleeping at night. Buy an alpaca wool hat when you get to Peru. If you are planning on doing the Inca Trail, we recommend a sleeping bag rated for freezing temperatures, a lightweight pair of fleece gloves, light hiking boots, and a pair of trekking poles. Your guide will most likely provide you with a tent.

Miscellaneous items include a Leatherman-style folding knife (remember to place it in checked luggage so it will not get confiscated), a lighter wrapped with a bit of duct tape for repairs, a mending kit, hand sanitizer, a headlamp with extra bulb and batteries, a camera, a voltage adapter, a hard plastic water bottle or two, a roll of toilet paper (Peru’s public bathrooms are always out), binoculars, a pocket English-Spanish dictionary, and a tiny calculator for confirming money exchange rates.

Don’t forget your medical kit, which contains among other things insect repellent, water purification tablets, and antimalarial medication. Most people bring a journal, a few pens, and a book (there are English-language book exchanges in many Peruvian cities).

© Ross Wehner and Renée del Gaudio from Moon Peru, 2nd Edition