🗓️ Best Time to Visit
When Should You Visit Lima?
Top months: Jan · Feb · Mar · Dec. Compare 12-month weather, festivals, and pricing on one page to find your match.
Quick Answer
The best time to visit Lima is Jan · Feb · Mar · Dec. These months balance pleasant weather, festival programming, and manageable crowds — the canonical first-visit pick.
Lima by Season
★ Top Pick
🌸 Spring (Mar-May)
Avg 26°C / 17°C
- • Last reliable summer month
- • Inca Trail reopens March 1 (post-Feb maintenance)
- • Holy Week / Semana Santa (movable late-March to mid-April)
☀️ Summer (Jun-Aug)
Avg 20°C / 14°C
- • Garúa fog season peak — grayest month of year
- • Inti Raymi (Cusco, June 24 — Festival of the Sun)
- • Cusco peak season begins
🍁 Fall (Sep-Nov)
Avg 20°C / 15°C
- • **Mistura International Food Festival (canonical, dates vary, 400+ restaurants)**
- • Korean Chuseok (Sept 28-30 typical, varies) — Korean traveler peak secondary
- • Garúa starts clearing
★ Top Pick
❄️ Winter (Dec-Feb)
Avg 27°C / 19°C
- • Southern Hemisphere summer peak
- • Beach + Pacific cliffs season open
- • Lima Foundation Day (Jan 18) — Plaza Mayor parades
Month-by-Month at a Glance
| Month | Temp (°C) | Rain | What to Pack | Crowds·Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ★ January | 27/19 | 0d | Hot + humid daytime — cotton T-shirt, linen shirt, breathable shorts, light dress for evenings. Reef-safe SPF 50 mandatory (UV 11 extreme even cloudless days). Sunglasses + wide-brim hat for Malecón cliff walks. Closed shoes for Huaca Pucllana sand. One smart-casual outfit for Central / Maido tasting menus (jacket required). | High |
| ★ February | 28/20 | 0d | Hottest month — pure summer wardrobe. Loose linen, swimwear daily, SPF 50+ reapplied every 2h, sunglasses + sun hat non-negotiable. UV 12 is the year's peak — long-sleeve UPF rash shirt recommended for paragliding and Costa Verde lounging. | High |
| ★ March | 28/19 | 0d | Last full summer month — same gear as January/February but pack a light cardigan for evenings (Pacific breeze cools the cliff after sunset). UV 11 still extreme, swimwear still viable. | Mid |
| April | 26/17 | 1d | Autumn mild — layer for 9-10°C day-night swing. T-shirt + cardigan + light jacket combo. Pants over shorts for evenings. UV 9 still high but no longer extreme. Light scarf for foggy mornings (garúa starting). | Mid |
| May | 23/16 | 2d | Garúa fog season starts — long-sleeve shirts, light pants, waterproof-shell jacket for drizzle. Layered for 7°C day-night swing. Closed shoes mandatory. UV drops to 7 (moderate), sunscreen still recommended for sustained outdoor time. | Mid |
| June | 21/15 | 4d | Garúa peak — gray oppressive skies, daily drizzle, 15°C nights feel cold in 85% humidity. Sweater + waterproof shell mandatory. Long pants always. Scarf + light beanie for early mornings. Closed shoes only. Light gloves if cold-sensitive. | Low |
| July | 20/14 | 4d | Coolest month — 14°C nights feel cold in 86% humidity. Warm sweater + fleece + waterproof shell. Long pants always, thermal layer if cold-sensitive. Scarf + light beanie. Closed shoes mandatory. | Mid |
| August | 19/14 | 4d | Garúa tail — same gear as July. Warm sweater, waterproof shell, long pants, closed shoes. Slightly less damp than July but still 87% humidity. | Mid |
| September | 19/14 | 3d | Garúa clearing — warm sweater + light jacket. Long pants. Mornings still foggy. Sun returns intermittently — bring sunglasses. Festival outfit for Mistura (smart casual). | High |
| October | 20/14 | 1d | Spring mild — long sleeves + light jacket. Long pants. Sunglasses returning. Light cardigan for evenings. UV climbing back to 8 — sunscreen needed for sustained outdoor. | Mid |
| November | 22/16 | 1d | Pre-summer warming — T-shirts returning, light jacket for evenings. Long pants still for nights. Sunglasses + sunscreen for daytime UV 9. First swimwear test if Costa Verde clear. | Mid |
| ★ December | 25/18 | 0d | Summer start — T-shirts + shorts daytime, light jacket for evenings (Pacific breeze). Swimwear back. Smart-casual outfit for Christmas Eve dinner (Cala, Central). Festive outfit for NYE Miraflores. | High |
★ = recommended season. Full month guides on the monthly weather pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Lima?
The best time to visit Lima is Jan · Feb · Mar · Dec. These months offer the most pleasant weather and full outdoor activity calendars. January is Lima's first full summer month and arguably the best for first-time visitors — Pacific cliffs are sun-bleached blue, the Malecón paragliders are airborne all afternoon, and Costa Verde beac
What's the price difference between peak and off-season in Lima?
Prices vary significantly by season. Weekday departures during shoulder season offer the best value.
Is it okay to visit Lima in winter?
Lima winter averages 27°C / 19°C. It's cold, but you trade weather for off-season pricing and seasonal events (Christmas markets, indoor museums, winter festivals). Bring a heavy parka, scarf, and gloves.
Should I visit Lima during summer holiday season?
Lima mid-summer (July-August) averages 20°C highs. This is the most expensive season — airfare and hotels peak — but outdoor festivals run at full capacity. Book 3-6 months ahead and prepare for heat.
What's the cheapest month to visit Lima?
June is the off-season — flights and hotels are at annual lows. Trade-off: this is usually cold or rainy season, so adjust packing and indoor-activity weight accordingly.
Why you can trust this guide
Jimmy Kong
TripPick founder · Travel content creator
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.
8+ years analyzing travel data
30+ countries visited
Live exchange rate verified