Peru Travel Information

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When to Go to Peru

To get the most out of your next adventure it makes sense to consider some of the very local factors that combine to make up what you feel is the best time to travel to a destination. Many of these factors are very personal - some people prefer to travel when the weather is not too hot, or sites too crowded - others prefer to travel when a traditional local event is taking place. Taking into account the dates of public holidays can also make sense as these may have an impact on opening times of attractions, shops and restaurants, or might affect public transport or other services. Conversely public holidays can be a time of great local festivities and celebrations providing a feast of local expressionism and culture.

Climate

The climate in Peru is as diverse as its landscapes, but can be split into three broad areas which are linked by their geographical position – the Coast, the Highlands and the Amazon.

Coastal Peru is the narrow stretch of land hemmed in between the Pacific Ocean and the high Andes. The cool Humbolt current runs along the cost in a deep ocean trench and in winter cover this arid terrain in a thick layer of cloud and drizzle, known as garua. Humidity in these areas produces a sensation of cold, although temperatures rarely dip below 12°C. During the summer temperatures can reach 30°C.

The Coast’s central and southern sections two clear seasons. Winter, from April to October and summer, from November to March. As the north coast is not affected by the cold Humbolt current, it enjoys sunshine and warm temperatures for most of the year, reaching 35°C in the summer. Here, the rainy season runs from November to March, though the amount of rainfall is relatively small.

The Highlands of Peru have a dry season from April to October, marked by dry sunny days, cool nights and a rainy season from November to March, when there are frequent heavy rains.

Temperatures in the mountains are incredibly variable, and it is not unusual for the temperature at midday to be around 24°C, before plunging to -3°C at night.

Amazonian Peru can be divided into two differentiated areas: the cloud forest (above 700m) and the lowland jungle (below 700 m).

The cloud forest a subtropical, balmy climate, with heavy rain showers (around 3000 mm a year) between November and March, and sunny days from April to October. The lowland jungle has a dry season from April to October, with sunshine and high temperatures often topping 35°C.

Humidity tends to be high year round in the jungle, although in the regions there can be cold spells known locally as friajes or surazos. These cold fronts that drift up from the far south of the continent between May and August, can see temperatures drop to a refreshing 8-12°C.

Remember that even in the dry season you may need your waterproofs – this part of the world is called the Rainforest for a reason!

Seasonality

The most popular time to travel to the Highlands and Amazon regions is during the dry season, which runs from April to October. Whilst it is possible to travel at other times, rain should be expected, and this becomes particularly heavy from in the middle of the season.

National Holidays

Date	Description
01 Jan 08	New Years Day
02 Apr 08	Semana Santa, the week leading up to Good Friday and Easter Monday
01 May 08	Labour Day
06 Jun 08	Bajada de Reyes
18 Jun 08	Fiestas Patrias (Independence)
07 Oct 08	Battle of Angamos
25 Dec 08	Christmas
31 Dec 08	Note that when a national holiday falls mid-week they can sometimes be moved to coincide with a weekend. There are also many regional holidays and celebrations that take place throughout the year – ask locally for the latest information relating to the area where you are staying.

National Events

Event	Occurs	Description
A country of fiestas	All over Peru	Peru celebrates over 3,000 festivals a year. Many are held in homage to a patron saint of the Christian calendar, adopted in colonial times, but blended with the magical beliefs of ancient, pagan forms of worship and celebration, incorporating ancestral myths of the native communities. Peru's festivals are lively and radiant, blending vivid colours and textures with sound, music and theatre – often reinventing history and celebrating the Earth goddess, Pacha Mama.A selection of the most important coming soon.