The best time to visit Peru may be now, while tourism is still manageable and ancient sites remain protected. A captivating country in South America with 1,500 miles of Pacific coastline, Peru offers a plethora of natural wonders, ancient civilizations, and rich cultural experiences. But choosing the best time to visit Peru is crucial for a fulfilling journey.
Best Time to Visit Peru: Seasonal Insights:
Peru’s seasons significantly impact the travel experience, with each season offering unique advantages and considerations. The dry season, spanning from May to September, is widely regarded as the ideal time to visit Peru. During this period, travelers can expect pleasant temperatures, clear skies, and minimal rainfall, making it particularly suitable for exploring the Andes and embarking on the iconic trek to Machu Picchu. Additionally, the dry season coincides with the Peruvian winter, resulting in fewer crowds and increased availability of accommodations and tours.
On the other hand, the wet season, from October to April, brings abundant rainfall and lush green landscapes. While showers can be heavy, they are typically short-lived and concentrated in the afternoons, allowing ample time for exploration. This season presents a unique opportunity to experience the thriving wildlife and verdant beauty of the Amazon rainforest. However, it is important to note that safety concerns may lead to the closure of certain trekking routes, including the popular Inca Trail, during this period.
For travelers seeking a balance between favorable weather conditions and fewer tourists, the shoulder seasons of April and October offer an attractive alternative. In April, remnants of the rainy season create vibrant landscapes, while October marks the end of the wet season, with reduced rainfall and rising temperatures. These transitional periods provide an excellent opportunity to explore Peru’s coastal regions, such as Lima and Paracas, where more comfortable temperatures prevail.
Best Time to Visit Peru: Additional Considerations:
While considering the seasons is crucial, several other factors should be taken into account when planning a trip to Peru.
Peru’s diverse geography encompasses varying altitudes, particularly in destinations like Cusco and Lake Titicaca. Acclimatization to higher elevations is essential to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit.
Peru is renowned for its vibrant cultural festivals, such as Inti Raymi and Semana Santa. Aligning a visit with these celebrations allows for an immersive experience, providing insights into the country’s traditions and heritage.
Personal preferences play a significant role in determining the ideal time to visit. Tranquility, lower prices, and a reduced influx of tourists, seasons all play a part for finding the best time to visit Peru. As for where to go and what to do in Peru, here is an update for what’s new in Peru:
Peru Attractions
Machupicchu – The Ministry of Culture of Peru has implement changes in the ticketing platform for entry and an increase in the number of visitors per day to the Historic Sanctuary of Machupicchu. Entrance tickets to the famous Inca city are available on the website tuboleto.cultura.pe. This new website was establish in collaboration with Joinnus, a company that sells tickets for various events, attractions and experiences worldwide. The TuBoleto site also offers tickets for other attractions of the Ministry of Culture of Peru, such as the archaeological complex of Kuelap, the Pachacamac Museum, the National Museum of Chavín and others.
In addition to tickets sold online through the new platform, there will also be 1,000 tickets available daily for in-person purchase in the town of Machupicchu (Aguas Calientes) at the Cultural Center of the Decentralize Directorate of Culture of Cusco (DDC). Tickets can purchase from 3 to 10 p.m. daily and are valid for the following day. To purchase these tickets, travelers must show their passport or valid national identification document. The Ministry has also approve a limit increase in the number of tickets available for entry to Machupicchu per day. Currently, the limit is 4,500 visitors per day, but on select dates during the high season, the limit will increase to 5,600 visitors.
Where to Stay in Peru
Casa Andina, a Peruvian hotel chain, will open a new hotel in Madre de Dios in 2024. The location is in Peru’s Amazon rainforest near Manu National Park in the remote Madre De Dios region. This is the chain’s 44th property of reasonably priced boutique properties throughout Peru.
Novotel Punta Sal Beach Resort will open its first location in Peru in Q4 2024. The $25.5 million dollar resort will be located south of Punta Sal on one of the longest beaches on the Peruvian coast. The property will have 182 suites, a gym, two swimming pools, jacuzzi and spa, and will offer activities such as surfing, mountain biking, diving, swimming with turtles and whale watching. The development will have a special focus on the environment to promote sustainability.
Nhow Lima plan to open in early 2024. The hotel will locate in Miraflores. This nhow hotel reinterprets Peruvian traditions, myths and rituals -with an unexpect contemporary twist- by merging them with the new XXI’s century pop culture idols. Peru as you know it has revisit in a design hotel flood with colors and patterns. An invitation to an avant-garde dreamland where senses are elevates to unknown heights to leave a one of a kind impression.
Where to Dine in Peru
La Mangachería, in Piura, opened in late 2024. The restaurant specializes in regional creole and seafood cuisine and features live music with traditional Peruvian dances.
New to Do in Peru
Paragliding in the Miraflores neighborhood of Limais back after four years. Tandem paraglides with an instructor are available in Antonio Raimondi Park.
Santa Catalina Monastery in Arequipais now open at night on Thursday.
Peru Adventures: Visit Peru
G Adventures launches new National Geographic Journey:Treasures of Peru & Bolivia, starting March 2024. Travel back to the time of the ancient Inca Empire as you explore the temples and terraces of Machu Picchu, as well as the former capital city of Cusco in Peru. You’ll also visit Bolivia’s historic cities Sucre and La Paz, where you’ll discover the fascinating heritage of the region’s indigenous population. Throughout your trip, experience the wonder and the beauty of lush mountain landscapes, and natural geographic features such as the Uyuni Salt Flats. Plus, you’ll also explore the shores of Lake Titicaca, where you’ll marvel at the sweeping vistas of its lakes and islands.
G Adventures launchesThe Geluxe Collection, featuring five Peru tours beginning August 2024.
Amazon Canoe Challenge expedition to take place June 2-10. Navigate the Amazon by canoe or SUP through a series of overnight checkpoints. Paddle independently during the day, and camp out on the river overnight.
Alpaca Expeditions’ new women’s-onlySacred Valley & Salkantay Tour to Machupicchu will launch June 22-28, 2024.
Getting to Peru
LATAM Airlines Peru introduced three weekly flights between Lima and Atlanta in late 2023. The route is served by a Boeing 767 aircraft that includes premium business class. This is LATAM’s first route between the two cities.
The Comandante FAP Germán Arias Graziani Airport, located in the district of Anta, just north of Huaraz, is undergoing maintenance and modernization to be completed in 2024.
LATAM Airlines began offering a new flight route between Lima and Huaraz in late 2024. Huaraz is a great destination for travelers looking for both cultural experiences and relaxation. Guests can explore archaeological sites and the ancient stone monoliths at the Museo Regional de Ancash, squeeze into narrow Duck Canyon or hike a mountain trail in Huascaran National Park. For many years the only way to get to Huaraz was by bus (8.5 hours) or by car (7.5 hours).
The new Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima will open in December 2024. This $2 billion dollar airport will replace the old Jorge Chavez airport with plans to serve 30 million passengers a year. The airport will feature a four-level terminal with large commercial spaces, parking lots, an extensive area with hotels and restaurants and cutting-edge technology for passenger transit and baggage management.
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