Visiting Peru in January

If your heart is set on the classic Peru holiday of trekking the Inca Trail and seeing Machu Picchu, January definitely is not the best time for a holiday in Peru. It’s wet, with often heavy rainfall this month, so while it’s visiting is more of a challenge and you’ve got a higher chance of seeing the lost city of the Incas through a haze of drizzle. It’s also the wet season in the Amazon, so not the best time to enjoy the rainforest as wildlife is harder to spot and some areas may be less accessible.

Instead, start the year in one of Peru’s drier corners. Now is when to go to Peru for a break by the beach – head to the far north to Máncora, where the temperatures are normally in the high 20Cs and there are only a few rainy days this month.

Or it’s also a good month to see the fascinating Nazca Lines, as the weather conditions mean there’s less chance of flights over the archaeological site being cancelled – temperatures do hit around 30C so be prepared for the heat though. It’s easy to combine this with a visit to Lima, where it’s also hot this month, and Arequipa where it’s a bit cooler and still mostly dry. Don’t miss the protected reserve of the Islas Ballestas along the way as the sea lions are calving this month, so you’ll spot babies along with their mothers basking on the rocks.

Festivals: Start the New Year in festive style with the feast of the Three Kings on January 6, or Bajada de los Reyes. While it’s marked across the country, some of the most memorable celebrations take place in Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, with processions, music and dance.

On January 18, Lima marks its birthday with a string of festivals, including traditional dances, concerts, performances and other cultural events throughout its parks and squares, celebrating the day the city was founded back in 1535.

Best for: Beaches, sea lions, Nazca Lines

January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December

Region	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Coastal	● 26°C ☀️	● 27°C ☀️	● 27°C ☀️	● 24°C 🌤️	● 22°C 🌤️	● 20°C 🌥️	● 19°C 🌥️	● 19°C 🌥️	● 20°C 🌤️	● 21°C 🌤️	● 23°C ☀️	● 25°C ☀️
Machu Picchu	● 17°C 🌧️	● 17°C 🌧️	● 18°C 🌧️	● 18°C 🌦️	● 17°C ☀️	● 16°C ☀️	● 16°C ☀️	● 17°C ☀️	● 18°C 🌦️	● 19°C 🌦️	● 18°C 🌧️	● 17°C 🌧️
Amazon	● 28°C 🌧️	● 28°C 🌧️	● 28°C 🌧️	● 27°C 🌦️	● 27°C ☀️	● 26°C ☀️	● 26°C ☀️	● 27°C ☀️	● 28°C 🌦️	● 28°C 🌦️	● 28°C 🌧️	● 28°C 🌧️

Legend:
● Good weather
● Average weather
● Poor weather