Top 9 Reasons to Visit Peru During the Rainy Season

Last updated on March 24th, 2021 at 11:02 am

Thinking about a trip to Peru, but struggling because the only time you can visit is during the rainy season, don’t fret! Peru has many travel seasons indeed. Rainy season in Peru offers plenty of positive features, which often travellers seem to overlook. I just spent a week gallivanting around Peru during the offseason from January to March and here are my Top 9 Reasons why YOU should visit Peru during the rainy season.

 #1. Visit Peru During the Raining Season, so You don’t have to fight the crowds

Peru is one of the most visited countries in South America. During the high season, from June to August, you will experience large crowds due to travelers taking advantage of school and work breaks. During the low season, from the end of January to April, there are significantly fewer people traveling. For example, in August 2018 the average number of visitors to Machu Picchu was 4,810 per day. In February of 2018, the average number of visitors was 2,492 per day. Visiting during a month like February will provide more time to take photos and most importantly, a little breathing room from the crowds.

Find out more about the seaons of Peru>>  The best times to visit Peru 

#2. Reason to Visit Peru during the rainy season: A Greener Peru

During Peruvian wet season, the scenery is incredible, and it wouldn’t be nearly as beautiful if it didn’t rain. The rain showers bring lush green hills; the wildflowers dot the countryside and the brightly colored terraces used to plant vegetables are in bloom. This holds true in the Sacred Valley and Colca Valley where you will see locals in traditional clothing tending to their crops and animals.

Find out more >> Arequipa & Colca Canyon Tours

#3. Fresh fruits and vegetables

Believe it or not, Peru is becoming THE gastronomy capital of South America. Experience Peruvian food at its best when the markets are full of varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables. Especially during the rainy season, you will see, big, colorful vegetable and fruit stands at the markets.  Try one of the 3,000 types of potatoes, fresh corn, Peruvian mangoes, Choclo, Granadilla, Lucuma, and more!

Find out more about Peruvian Cusine>>Food & Drink in Peru

#4. Cheaper Accommodations, Flights, and Souvenirs

With fewer visitors, airlines and hotels may drop their prices. Take advantage of this by upgrading to a higher quality hotel or opting for a better seat on the airplane. You may also have better bargaining power at the small shops and markets that sell local handicrafts.

Find out more >> Recommended Hotels

#5. Warm Weather

Despite the rain, this is the warmest time of the year! While Peru never gets extremely hot, you’ll enjoy much better temperatures during the low season, when it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Visit some of the higher altitude destinations like Colca Canyon and Puno that typically have colder weather.

Read more >> Puno & Lake Titicaca Cruises

#6. Visit Peru during the Rainy Season, Because it is Actually Not that much Rain 

In general, you’ll experience clear mornings and late afternoon showers. The average monthly rainfall from January to April is only around 4 inches with the highest averages in January and February. Take a guided city tour of Lima, making sure to hit all the fantastic sites, just remember always to bring a rain jacket!

Find out more >> Lima City Tours

#7. Festivals

Some of the most colorful festivals take place in the rainy season!

1- Fiesta de la Candelaria

Similar to other South American countries, Peru celebrates the carnival and it falls into rainy season , in February. Held in the town of Puno, this is the largest and most famous festival in Peru with almost 40,000 participants each year. The festival takes place in the last few days of Lent and includes parades, people dressed in colorful traditional clothing, elaborate costumes, dancing, music, and more.

Fiesta de la Vendimia:

Normally, one doesn’t associate wine with Peru, but just 4 hours south of Lima, in the desert town of Ica, there are local vineyards that produce sweet and red wines, as well as Pisco. With the miracles of rainy seaon, every March, the celebrations include dancing,parades, grape stomping, and lots of wine.

While you are there, don’t forget to visit the mysterious oasis and sand dunes of Huacachina, take an overflight of the Nazca Lines, or take a cruise to the Ballestas Islands. 

#8. Rainy seaons in mountains, summer at the beach

While the highlands have sunny mornings and rainy afternoons, the Northern beaches are dry and hot (with temperatures reaching up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit) with warm waters and high surf. December marks the official start of Peru’s beach season. Locals enjoy warmer temperatures and ocean breezes as they head to the beaches for sunshine and great waves.Summer months are the perfect time to add some beach time to your Peru visit. Head to Miraflores near Lima or try out surfer’s paradise of Mancora!

Find out more about best beach and surf spots in South America >> Surfing South America

#9. Combine it with the Galapagos

One of our most popular tours is combining Machu Picchu and The Galapagos. The rainy season in Peru coincides with the warm and wet season in the Galapagos. It is the best time to visit the islands because you’ll have warm weather, calmer seas, and good underwater visibility. I you would like to combine your Peru trip with Ecuador and have spend some time at the beach, South American summer is the time for you.

Especially in Galapagos you’ll enjoy watching the mating, nesting or breeding rituals of land birds, sea lions, turtles and tortoises and the islands blossoming with spring flowers.

Find out more >> Galapagos Cruise & Machu Picchu Tour

One Reason Not to visit during the Rainy Season

There is one reason that might deter you from visiting Peru during the rainy season. This is the one reason, and one reason only.  If you are interested in trekking, late January and February are not great months as the Inca Trails can be extremely muddy and slow going leading to delays or cancellations. If you want to trek, try one of the shoulder season months like May or September rather than the rainy season.

 

Plan Your Trip to Peru During the Rainy Season!

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