Being such a geographically diverse country within the tropical belt, the weather in Peru is determined both by altitude and season. While the traditional ‘high season’ is April – October, given the different regional weather conditions and the fact that the ruins are less crowded out of that season, many people prefer to travel in the November – March period making Peru a true all year round destination.
Coast (Ica, Chiclayo, Lima, Piura, Trujillo, Tumbes):
The northern region is warm year round with highs of up to 35ºC (95ºF) in the summer.
Central and southern regions have two well defined seasons, winter between April and October, and summer between November and March.
Highlands (Ancash, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Cusco, Puno):
This region has two seasons, a dry summer between April and October, and a wetter winter with a mix of sunshine and showers between November and March.
Rainforest (Iquitos, Madre de Dios, Manu):
High rainforest (over 2,300 ft asl / 700 m asl) has a temperate, subtropical climate with abundant rainfall. Lower rainforest (under 2,300 ft asl / 700 m asl) has two seasons, summer or dry season between April and October, when it is sunny and hot, and winter or rainy season between November and March, with frequent downpours.
Events Calendar
January 18: Anniversary of the foundation of Lima
Lima was founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro under the name of the “City of Kings”, some years later it was also designated capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru. The celebration takes place in the main square (Plaza de Armas) and is plenty of activities such as parades, criollo singing with guitar and cajón as well as fireworks.
January & February: Marinera Festival
The Marinera mostly a coastal dance in Peru, is danced in couples and it is a graceful, romantic and full of flirtation dance between both dancers that uses handkerchiefs as props. The dance is an elegant and stylized reenactment of a courtship, and it shows a blend of the different cultures of Peru. The dance itself has gained a lot of recognition and is one of the most popular traditional dances of Peru. Ever since the 1960s, ending the month of January, in the city of Trujillo a National Contest of Marinera Nortena is held.
The origin of the Marinera is generally traced back to the Zamacueca. Nevertheless, there are various other theories about where it comes from. Traditional accompaniment for the dance is provided by a cajón, guitars and bugles
February: Fiesta de La Virgen de la Candelaria
During 18 days the city of Puno, on the shores of the Titikaka lake, becomes the folklore capital of the Americas. On the central day, the Virgin parades the city in a colourful procession, followed by more than 200 bands of musicians and a similar number of groups who dance around the city and compete for prizes in the local stadium. The festivity is related to the pre-Hispanic farming cycles of planting and harvesting (worshipping Pachamama or Mother Earth), as well as with the region’s mining activity.
March: La Vendimia – Wine Festival
This festival is a celebration of the abundance of grapes and wine in the region where persevering efforts in local vineyards have spread greenery across vast tracts of once bone-dry desert. The Wine Festival involves fairs, competitions, processions of floats, musical festivals and parties where guests dance the Afro-Peruvian festejo. Those attending the event can try the famous Pisco, the aromatic and tasty grape brandy that originated in this part of southern Peru four centuries ago.
March & April: Easter Week
San Cristóbal de Huamanga in Ayacucho celebrates one of the most intense portrayals of the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. The week starts out with the entry of Jesus into the city riding on a donkey. On Wednesday, the images of the Virgin Mary and Saint John are paraded in fervent processions through streets carpeted with flower petals. Holy Friday evening, the lights of the city wink out to give way to the Christ of Calvary. The image sets out from the Monastery of Santa Clara in a procession through the streets on a litter strewn with white roses, followed by the grieving Virgin Mary and lines of men and women strictly dressed in mourning bearing lit candles.
The litter, which features thousands of white candles, is simply magnificent. Prayers and songs accompany throughout the night until the three-hour sermon is delivered on Saturday. After days of grieving, Resurrection Sunday takes on a festive air, Christ is resurrected and appears.
April & May: Peruvian Paso Horse Festival
The contest takes place 30 Km south of Lima, at the foot of the pre-Inca Pachacamac oracle. The Peruvian Paso horse is a breed of Spanish and Berber races that took 300 years. Its gait is a series of synchronized movements of the front and rear legs in parallel fashion, a trait that has made it one of the most beautiful and elegant horses in the world.
May & June: Corpus Christi
Fifteen saints and virgins from different Cusco districts arrive at the cathedral in procession to salute Christ’s body in the form of a consecrated wafer kept in the fabulous 26-kg massif gold custody. During the night wake, typical dishes, such as chiriuchu (guinea pig and hot peppers), chicha and corn bread, are served. As soon as the sun rises, the parade starts around the main square, and then the images enter the cathedral to salute each other. Finally, the delegations go back to their churches in the midst of songs and prayers.
June 24: Inti Raymi
Inti Raymi is the Sun’s festivity. It coincides with the winter solstice and the harvests season. The Sacsayhuaman fortress is the stage for the ceremony, following a detailed script, including the sacrifice of two llamas to tell the future. The Inca, who urges the authorities in Cusco’s main square to govern well, presides over the ceremony. At dusk, the Inca announces the end of the day’s ceremonies.
June: Qoyllur Rit’i
This is the largest pilgrimage of all indigenous nations of the Americas. More than 10 thousand people arrive in Sinakara, at the foot of the Ausangate mountain (6362 masl / 20873 fasl), to pay homage to a painting of Child Jesus. The ascent of a group of strong Queros to the snow-capped summit to seek the Star of the Snow (Qoyllur Rit’i) in the mountain’s heart is full of symbolism. They will take large blocks of ice on their shoulders back to their Quechua communities to water their lands with sacred water.
July 28 & 29: Independence Day
Across the country, Peruvians throw parties and hold patriotic celebrations to remember the Declaration of Peru's Independence in 1,821 by the Libertador José de San Martín. In all cities, even in remote communities, homes fly the Peruvian flag from the start of July.
Peruvians often stage serenatas to the strains of folk and Creole music in plazas and public parks as a part of the celebration as well as the Tedeum and the famous military parade.
In various parts of the country, Peruvians also hold agricultural and livestock fairs (Cajamarca, Piura, Monsefú) together with three festivals that are the soul of Creole culture: cockfighting, bullfighting and Peruvian paso horse exhibitions.
October: The Lord of the Miracles
This procession dates back to colonial times, when a black slave painted it on the walls of a run-down property. In spite of earthquakes and attempts at erasing it, the miraculous image has remained intact. Thousands of believers dressed in purple habits sing and pray to accompany the image in procession. This image gathers around it the largest numbers of devotees in South America.
To honor the Black Christ, bull fighting at Plaza de Acho, gathers the most prestigious bullfighters of Spain and the Americas.
