BootsnAll Travel Community

I am trying to decide when I should visit Peru. I can take about 2-3 weeks off work and am wondering if I should go in July/early August or November/early December. I'm not exactly sure which areas I will visit but will probably spend the vast majority of my time in Cusco, Arequipa, and Lake Titicaca (and might add a short trip to the Amazon if I have time).

Is the main the tourist trail in Peru totally overwhelmed with people in July and August? Is the weather much better at one time of year? Are prices a lot higher at one time or the other?

Thanks for any thoughts!

July/early August is winter in Peru and high season, which starts in June. My understanding is that it doesn't get overtly crowded, except in some most touristy places. Look out for more feedback from others, who've been in Peru during that period.
I visited Peru in end Sept/Oct and I thought it was just good. I travel with only flight ticket, and without any bookings ahead, and I didn't have any problems to get bus tickets, accommodation, or to visit sites (like Machu Picchu).

Your other alternative period is Nov/Dec, and it's the end spring/beginning of summer. In Dec the rain period starts and lasts for about three months. So, it looks like you'd be there just before the rains come.

Peru is generally very cheap so you shouldn't worry about the prices. They seem to be the same throughout the whole year.
If possible try to make it three weeks (at least). It's such a great country, with enormous diversity, and you'll need all the time you can get, to see only the most important sites.

hello june123 , well it depends of what do you want .. for example on July there are lot of tourists here ,there are lot of parties in the country for the "national day" on 28 and 29 july, we are on winter at the least in Lima , because on the andes , they are on summer(round 14 to 20 grades), and in december there are no much tourists people, we are on summer.
well i think the best season it is on July , anyway whatever else question, just do it ...
i work in Lima as a "friend-guide"
it means .. i am a guide for all the day ,you tells to me where you want to go or to do and i take you there !! , good restaurants,museums,clubs, discotecs, whatever place , an ofcourse as your translator.

well as i said before whatever else question , just make it .. see ya !!

quote:

Originally posted by june123:
I am trying to decide when I should visit Peru. I can take about 2-3 weeks off work and am wondering if I should go in July/early August or November/early December. I'm not exactly sure which areas I will visit but will probably spend the vast majority of my time in Cusco, Arequipa, and Lake Titicaca (and might add a short trip to the Amazon if I have time).

Is the main the tourist trail in Peru totally overwhelmed with people in July and August? Is the weather much better at one time of year? Are prices a lot higher at one time or the other?

Thanks for any thoughts!

we went in december/january. cusco/MP, arequipa, puno/lake titicaca were cold and rainy (felt just like home), and UGH the rainy season brought out all the mozzies in the amazon! NOT FUN. cold and rainy, that's fine. but i really woudln't recommend going to the amazon in the rainy season.

Cusco and lake Titi are totally two differnet feels.
Avoid Inti Rymi (sp?) its he Inca celebration. thousands will assend on cusco for it. Its like Woodstock in the 60's.
After would be a great time.
Stay in the San Blas area of Cusco. Maybe Hotel San Blas. Its in the old part of the city...its great and walk to eveything from there. No need to have a car in Peru.
See the big inca ruins there...pronouched "sexywomen"
Plenty of street trading, good food, old churchs, museums, and people watching.

Lake Titi is awesome. Id avoid Areqipa (sp?) its looked like bombed out bagdad when i was there last year. garbage and destruction all over. Go on to Puno on the shore of the lake. Take a boat out to the two islands and stay with the locals in their homes. thats what most people do. its awesome..good food, friendly people, nice little places to stay, quiet,and a different feel than cusco. SOme good ruins onto of each island. Maybe get a guide if you got money. We had one guide i think his name was don ruiz delgado who is an author too and was the one how found the famous inca portal a few years back and took us there. Go also to Sillistani (sp?) awesome ruins and lots of metorites to be found on the ground. Make sure you spend time on the floating reed island villages...its amazing and never seen anything like it in the world.
norm

quote:

Originally posted by NormM:
Lake Titi is awesome. Id avoid Areqipa (sp?) its looked like bombed out bagdad when i was there last year. garbage and destruction all over. Go on to Puno on the shore of the lake. Take a boat out to the two islands and stay with the locals in their homes. thats what most people do. its awesome..good food, friendly people, nice little places to stay, quiet,and a different feel than cusco. SOme good ruins onto of each island. Maybe get a guide if you got money. We had one guide i think his name was don ruiz delgado who is an author too and was the one how found the famous inca portal a few years back and took us there. Go also to Sillistani (sp?) awesome ruins and lots of metorites to be found on the ground. Make sure you spend time on the floating reed island villages...its amazing and never seen anything like it in the world.
norm

i don't agree about arequipa looking trashed. it's a beautiful city, at least in the historic part. and santa catalina monastery is not to be missed! the colors inside, the stairs that lead to nowhere, the arches.. it's beautiful. actually, i thought puno was blah, and the islands we visited were ok (spent too much time on the reed islands which got old very quickly). we didn't have time to visit tequile though.

YEah your right on ariquipa...its this other town several hours away called (phonetically) Who-lee-ah-ca. Its was a mess when i was there.
ariquipa however i didnt get into the historic district due to the big strike. I had the pleasure of seeing many tires and cars and garbage burning on the picket lines.