Visiting Peru in February
General advice says that visiting Peru in February is a bad idea. After all, the Andean highlands are in the midst of their wet season, and the Inca Trail is closed for maintenance. Not the best start. But there’s more to it than that and there are some genuinely very compelling reasons to still come. That said, a February visit won’t be the right choice for many travelers.
But, if February is your only option or you want to visit when there are no other tourists around, you may be pleasantly surprised by the positives of a trip during the rainy season.
February is the quietest and cheapest month to explore Peru’s Andean highlights. Hotel prices are absolute bargains, tour operators run discounts, and you’ll never need to worry about buses, flights, or entrance tickets selling out. Cities and major archaeological sites will be practically devoid of tourists, allowing you to wander the splendour of ancient Inca ruins in solitude.
Moreover, for the entire coastal region – all 1,500 mi (2,400km) of it – February means summertime beach perfection. And, over in the Amazon, high water levels translate into deeper explorations by boat and an insane abundance of blossoming fruits and flowers that promotes closer wildlife encounters.
Further bolstering the hidden appeal of visiting in February is the month's array of fantastic cultural events. February is BIG festival month in Peru when the exhilarating celebrations of Carnaval have the entire country in party mode.
These positives do, of course, come with trade-offs. February visitors should expect last-minute travel changes and the rain to occasionally wash out their plans. You’ll also spend a fair bit of your time slightly wet, so your raincoat and waterproof hiking boots will be more than just fashion accessories.
This may be a dealbreaker if you have minimal days and a tight schedule. But if you've got a little more time and are prepared to be flexible with your plans, February in Peru could be a better idea than you think.
A February visit to Peru isn't the right choice for everyone, and it's certainly a gamble on the weather. But for those who can make it work, it often winds up being a rewarding month to come.
For more Peru travel information, check out our comprehensive Peru travel guide and this list of 19 beautiful places in Peru.
If you could use some help planning your itinerary and finding out about unique things to do and authentic places to visit, consider scheduling a Peru travel consultation!
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Weather
February marks the height of summer in Peru, although what that entails depends highly on where you go. The country’s insanely varied topography has created three distinct climatic regions – where in the country you head to will dictate what kind of weather you are likely to encounter.
Peru’s weather in February ranges from hot and dry on the coast to mild and wet in the Andes. On the coastline, expect daytime temperatures of around 85°F (30°C) and warm nights. Up in the mountains, you’ll see average daily ranges of about 43 - 65°F, and the nights do still get chilly.
The coastal region enjoys prime summer temps in February from Tacna in the south to Tumbes in the north. Expect clear blue skies and daytime highs of around 82°F (28°C) and night-time lows of around 68°F (20°C). The Northern coast is particularly pleasant.
The Amazon region enjoys consistent temperatures, with only mild differences year-round. Still, February is the coldest month of the year – by just a couple of degrees. In and around Iquitos, daytime temps are down to 88 °F (31 °C) with night-time lows of 78 °F (25.6 °C).
Up in the Andes, February is indeed the wettest but also the warmest month of the year. Naturally, temperatures can range dramatically depending on the altitude. Generally, you should expect daytime highs around 68°F (20°C) and overnight lows of 43°F (6°C) in and near Cusco. During February remember that wet-weather gear will be more pivotal to the enjoyment of your trip than thermals.
Events
Carnaval may be synonymous with Brazil, but know that Peru is no shrinking violet when it comes to putting on a good show in February.
Here are a few fiestas you shouldn't miss if visiting Peru in February.
Cajamarca Carnaval – Cajamarca
Arguably the most famous pagan festival in the continent, carnaval marks the end of the summer and is celebrated all over Peru. The most renowned celebration kicks off in Cajamarca, a city in the northern highlands known as the country’s carnival capital.
The Cajamarca Carnaval is known for its elaborate parades, dazzling costumes, and traditional dances like tondero, marinara, and huayno. The highlight is the dance of the diablada, which depicts the ever-present struggle between good and evil.
Fiesta de la Virgin de la Candelaria - Puno
The largest festival in Peru and one of the biggest celebrations in South America, the Fiesta de la Candelaria is the closest you'll get to Rio's bombastic show. Held in Puno, right on the shores of Lake Titicaca, this festival celebrates the city's patron saint and showcases Peru's extraordinarily rich folklore.
The party, which includes art performances, dance competitions, and an insane amount of traditional food, lasts 18 days. Come prepared!
Festival del Verano Negro - Chincha
The bustling city of Chincha is the headquarters of Afro-Peruvian heritage. The two-week festival celebrating this important and often overlooked part of the country’s heritage is an immensely vibrant affair. Dancers sashay through the streets to the rhythm of drums; street parades draw in the crowds, while poetry competitions, craft fairs, and other cultural events fill the days with music and entertainment.
Pro tip: One peculiarity of carnival season in Peru is that locals like to express their enthusiasm with “water fights” throughout the day. We’re talking buckets of water thrown from balconies and across the street. It's fun but also a little bit bizarre!
Be on the lookout for people holding buckets, keep those car windows up, enjoy the refreshments, and always carry a spare T-shirt.
Where to visit in February
Let's get down to business. What are the best regions to explore in Peru if visiting in February?
Logic would dictate you stick to or near the coast. Yet we know that if you've travelled halfway around the world to visit Peru, you probably don’t want to miss out on its crowning glory: Machu Picchu. With a little bit of good planning, you can still get in a great visit, and with none of the crowds.
So, while we know you’ll want to spend a bit of time around Cusco, we also highly recommend switching things up and heading to the coast and the less-visited north.
Machu Picchu & the Andean Highlands
Due to incessant rainfall, February is the worst month to visit Machu Picchu for expansive views. However, those who visited in July might attest to overcrowding being an even bigger hassle. So, what will it be?
Well, that'll depend on your personal pet peeves. FYI – Machu Picchu is open all year, although the Inca, Choquequirao and Salkantay trails are closed for maintenance in February. Still, the train will run, and there are plenty of lesser-known trails to reach the Incan city in the clouds if you still wish to hike. Whichever way you get there, at least you won't have to fight through big crowds!
If you don't want to miss a visit, we recommend doubling the days you dedicate to Cusco and Machu Picchu. This will help you buffer frustrations in case of sporadic travel disruptions.
Lima and the central coast
February is a prime month for surfing, swimming, beach-bumming and ceviche feasting on Peru’s coast. This is the peak of the summer season, so crowds and prices are high in the most popular beach towns.
However, finding a remote nook is child's play, given the sheer length of the coast. Head south to the arid yet spellbinding Paracas National Park, visit the Ballestas Islands and stop by the country’s famous desert oasis, Huacachina, for desert-dune buggy rides and free-flowing pisco sours.
Eastern Amazon rainforest
February is a rainy month for the Amazon region and its hub, Iquitos. But you know what? Rain should always be expected in a rainforest, and humidity and some physical discomfort should be a given.
However, high water levels, the kind you can experience in February, encourage blossoming flora, an irresistible enticement for Amazonian wildlife. Typically elusive animals come out of the (literal) woodworks to feast with abandon, so your chances of seeing monkeys, toucans, river dolphins, turtles, caimans and all manner of insects and amphibians are heightened.
Flooded rivers and forests, usually impenetrable when water levels are lower, allow for deeper rainforest exploration by boat and wildlife spotting on land, as fauna can swim right up to your lodge.
Northern Peru
Blissfully overlooked and woefully underrated, Northern Peru is a dream destination if you’re looking for off-the-beaten-path adventures. The sheer cacophony of attractions is outright phenomenal north of Lima.
Not only will you discover quieter beaches, but you can also explore an array of ancient treasures – like Caral, Chan-Chan and Kuelap. Most tourists don’t even know they exist, let alone visit them. Mancora and Trujillo are fantastic bases for exploring the north.
For more ideas on where to visit in Peru, check out our detailed Peru travel guide or this list of 19 beautiful places in Peru.
What to do in February
Peru in February still affords many of the same outdoors activities as other times of year, you just have to be more flexible and you might want to change where you plan to do them.
Opting to hike near the coast, around Arequipa, or up north instead of in the central Highlands, for example, will still let you get up close with Peru’s fabulous nature, but without getting drenched. And for surfers and anyone looking to hit the beach, it’s the perfect time of year!
Hiking
Peru is an outdoor lover's dream destination; not even rain can dampen its appeal. In February, though, it’s all about picking the right region. The inland highlands won’t offer fantastic hiking this month unless you only opt for short day hikes and have sufficient time and flexibility to wait for a sunny day.
Desert coastal hikes are a great option this month, so check out Paracas National Park (in the south) and Chiclayo (in the north).
Rafting, canoeing and tubing
Class V rapids won't develop in the Peruvian Andes until the snow has melted in the mountains (around May), so if you're into gentler rafting and tubing, you'll find February ideal.
Head to Lunahuana, southeast of Lima, and enjoy a variety of river-based adventures, as well as horseback riding, winery and forest canopy tours.
Surfing
The northern strip of beaches near Mancora, Huanchaco, and Chicama attracts world-class surfers who wish to indulge in their passion with some anonymity. February is the perfect month to join them. Enjoy some of the longest surfing waves in the world around a smattering of sleepy fishing villages.
Amazon cruises
Lodge-based visits in the Amazon are a washout in February because walking trails are flooded. This makes cruising a spectacular alternative. Rising water levels mean that even the most inaccessible, usually impenetrable forests are easily explored by boat.
Carnival
Reason enough to visit Peru in February? We think so! The country erupts in a month of exuberant celebrations, marking the end of summer. Puno and Cajamarca may host the largest and most famous carnival celebrations, but you'll find it's party time no matter where in Peru you go.
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