Weather in Peru

Peru is in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons are the reserve of those in the United States and other portions of the Northern Hemisphere. So, when planning a trip to Peru, it’s necessary to remember that your summer is their winter, your spring is their fall, and so on. That said, during what season you plan your trip to Peru will probably largely depend on the climate rather than whether its winter or summer.

Peru has a dry season and a rainy season. Basically, the wet weather comes between the months of November and April with January through April being the wettest of those months. The dry season is May through October. In some areas, roads can become quite impassable during the rainy times, seriously impeding travel for those who choose to visit during that time of year.

When considering the weather in Peru, it’s easiest to split the country into three distinct regions, all of which have weather patterns that are different from one another.

• The Jungle – Peru’s Amazonian Jungle is a favorite destination for many visiting the country, especially eco-tourists and those with a keen interest in birds and wildlife. The jungle area is east of the Andes Mountains and covers a good deal of that portion of the country. As one might suspect, the weather in the jungle is tropical with consistently high temperatures and humidity. Rainfall is significant all year around though it is drier between the months of May and October, as it is in the rest of the country. During the rainy season, rivers can swell and cause dangerous conditions. In general, however, the jungle is pretty toasty, with temperatures year round ranging from about 85 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity level measuring 90-100 percent most of the time.
• The Coast – The Pacific coast of Peru is desert and the weather is – therefore – desert like, despite the presence of water. December through April is extremely hot with temperatures generally in the range of 80 to 100 degrees F, higher as you work your way up the coast towards the Equator. However, the humidity is very low on Peru’s coast during these months. During the rest of the year, temperatures are more moderate but the humidity rises. Don’t expect to do a lot of swimming here. The waters are cold, especially on the southern beaches. Travel north and you may find some beaches conducive to swimming.
• The Highlands – The Andes Mountains are a prominent feature of Peru’s terrain and, hence, as you travel you’ll encounter an area with much lower temperatures than on the coast or in the jungle. It rarely rains in the highlands from May through October, making this an ideal time to visit. Temperatures during this Southern Hemisphere winter range from about 68 to 78 degrees F during the day though temps can often dip down to freezing and below at night. During the remainder of the year, temperatures don’t change much but rain is abundant. Avoid January and February in the Andes, when rain can cause serious problems including road closures. 

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