The rainy season in Peru runs from around December through March. During these months, the Andes mountains and Amazon jungle regions experience frequent downpours. The heavy rains can cause flooding, mudslides, and road blockages making travel more difficult, unpredictable and potentially dangerous.
If you’re planning trekking activities like the famous Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu, the ground will be extremely muddy and trails likely to be closed. Even in major cities like Cusco, the rain can put a damper on your trip with persistent gray skies and attractions shuttered due to inclement weather. Plus, rain and humidity does encourage mosquitos so you’ll have to be diligent about repellent.
High Season Crowds from June to August
June through August is considered Peru’s high tourist season since it coincides with the Northern Hemisphere’s summer vacation period and drier weather. Key destinations like Machu Picchu and Cusco will be packed with long lines everywhere. With high demand, lodging and tours often increase their rates considerably.
You’ll have to book accommodations and secure train/entrance tickets to Machu Picchu months in advance to properly plan and ensure availability. If you prefer a more relaxed pace and ample room to move around ruin sites, it’s best to avoid these peak months.
Political Protests and Demonstrations
As a developing country, Peru continues to experience political turmoil and public demonstrations that can suddenly arise without notice year-round. However, protests happen more frequently around the time of elections, changes of power, and national holidays celebrating independence.
These events tend to take place around major cities like Lima and Cusco. Protest marches can block roadways making it hard to arrive on schedule for tours, trains or flights. Public transportation and tourist sites may be closed down on short notice. While generally peaceful, some unfortunate protests have turned violent in the past so they should be avoided for safety reasons.
Altitude Sickness Challenges during Dry Season
Peru’s arid season roughly covers the months of April to October. While the dry weather provides ample sunny days for exploring Incan ruins and treks through the Andes, the high elevation locations also come with risks.
Cusco sits at 11,200 feet while Machu Picchu is nearly 8,000 feet above sea level. The thin air causes altitude sickness for many visitors going straight from Lima’s sea level up to these dizzying heights. Symptoms like headaches, nausea and fatigue can really damper your experience or even cut activities short.
To properly acclimatize, you need to ascend gradually, stay hydrated and limit activity initially. However, most tourists have limited time so altitude sickness is quite problematic during peak dry months when overexertion and dehydration are common.
Unpredictable Weather Challenges in the Amazon
Visiting Peru’s Amazon region, you can reasonably expect hot, humid weather year-round. However, weather systems in the rainforest can be unpredictable and extreme at times. The humid environment fuels frequent thunder and lightning storms that if experienced while exploring the waterways, can put a real damper on your jungle adventure – no pun intended!
Floodwaters can rise quickly limiting accessibility and wildlife viewing as animals go into hiding. Or droughts may impact delicate ecosystems and restrict navigable access through Amazon river tributaries. There’s no reliable calendar schedule for any of these weather fluctuations, making it a gamble whatever time you choose to go. You just have to accept the rainforest environment is out of human control so your experience could be subject to the weather whims of Mother Nature.
In summary, while Peru offers fascinating history and natural beauty to discover year-round, avoiding the rainy season, peak crowds, political protests, altitude challenges and unpredictable jungle weather are key factors to consider when planning for the best possible first-timer’s experience. Being mindful of these potential downsides for trips during certain months and seasons can help ensure you make the most of your valuable time exploring Peru.