The short answer
- Month
- May
- Verdict
- Excellent
- Andes (Cusco, Machu Picchu)
- Dry, sunny, cold nights
- Coast (Lima, Paracas)
- Mild, clouding over
- Amazon
- Drier
- Inca Trail
- Excellent; book months ahead
May brings the dry season to the Andes, with sunny days, cold nights and the hills still green from the rains. It is one of the best months for trekking, before the June to August crowds.
Late May is a big month for festivals in the Cusco region.
May across Peru
How May compares with the rest of the year in each region. The ringed column is May.
Swipe sideways to see all 12 months →
| Region | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AndesCusco, Machu Picchu, Titicaca | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed | Wet or difficult |
| Inca Trailclosed every February | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed |
| CoastLima, Paracas, Nazca | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Best |
| AmazonPuerto Maldonado, Manu | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed | Wet or difficult |
Where to go in May
- Treks: Inca Trail, Salkantay and Lares are dry and green.
- Machu Picchu: Clear mornings and fewer visitors than in July.
- The Amazon: The start of the drier season in Tambopata.
What to avoid in May
- Beach plans in Lima, which is turning grey and cool.
Festivals and events in May
- Qoyllur Rit'i: A high altitude pilgrimage near Ausangate in the days before Trinity Sunday, which is 23 May in 2027.
- Corpus Christi, Cusco (27 May 2027): Saints from the city's churches are paraded around the Plaza de Armas.
Weather in May
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with May highlighted.
Average daily high / low and monthly rainfall
| Month | Limacoast, grey from June to October | Cusco3,400 m, Sacred Valley is warmer | Machu Picchu2,430 m, cloud forest | PunoLake Titicaca, 3,830 m | Arequipa2,335 m, sunny all year | Puerto MaldonadoAmazon, cold snaps from June to August |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26° / 20°1 mm | 19° / 7°160 mm | 22° / 12°340 mm | 15° / 3°140 mm | 22° / 9°28 mm | 31° / 21°300 mm |
| Feb | 27° / 21°0 mm | 19° / 7°135 mm | 22° / 12°320 mm | 15° / 3°120 mm | 21° / 9°40 mm | 31° / 21°300 mm |
| Mar | 26° / 20°0 mm | 19° / 7°110 mm | 22° / 12°290 mm | 15° / 3°105 mm | 22° / 9°20 mm | 31° / 21°280 mm |
| Apr | 25° / 18°0 mm | 20° / 5°45 mm | 23° / 11°140 mm | 15° / 1°45 mm | 22° / 8°1 mm | 31° / 20°190 mm |
| May | 22° / 17°0 mm | 20° / 3°8 mm | 23° / 9°55 mm | 14° / -3°10 mm | 22° / 7°0 mm | 29° / 18°110 mm |
| Jun | 20° / 16°1 mm | 19° / 1°4 mm | 22° / 7°30 mm | 13° / -6°3 mm | 21° / 6°0 mm | 28° / 16°65 mm |
| Jul | 19° / 15°1 mm | 19° / 0°4 mm | 22° / 6°25 mm | 13° / -6°2 mm | 21° / 6°0 mm | 29° / 15°45 mm |
| Aug | 19° / 15°1 mm | 20° / 1°7 mm | 23° / 7°35 mm | 14° / -4°7 mm | 22° / 6°1 mm | 31° / 17°60 mm |
| Sep | 19° / 15°1 mm | 20° / 4°22 mm | 23° / 9°70 mm | 15° / -1°25 mm | 23° / 7°1 mm | 32° / 19°110 mm |
| Oct | 20° / 16°0 mm | 21° / 6°45 mm | 24° / 11°120 mm | 16° / 1°40 mm | 23° / 7°0 mm | 32° / 21°190 mm |
| Nov | 22° / 17°0 mm | 21° / 6°75 mm | 24° / 11°160 mm | 17° / 2°55 mm | 23° / 7°1 mm | 32° / 21°250 mm |
| Dec | 24° / 18°0 mm | 20° / 7°120 mm | 23° / 12°260 mm | 16° / 3°100 mm | 23° / 8°6 mm | 31° / 21°300 mm |
Rounded long term averages. Blue shading marks the wetter months. Individual years can be hotter, colder or wetter.
A 12 day trip for May
Our suggestion for May: Lima, the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and Cusco. Every trip can be made private and changed to suit your dates.
Tip: Book the Inca Trail as soon as permits open for May: it sells out well ahead.
Want a May trip made for you?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 12 days, built around your dates.
Other months
Thinking about April or June? See Peru in April and Peru in June, or compare every season in our guide to the best time to visit Peru.
Rather have a trip to Peru made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
Is May a good time to visit Peru?
Yes, it is one of the best: dry, green and less crowded than June to August.
Sources we checked
Peru month by month
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