Visiting Peru In April
James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.
Last Updated on February 24, 2022 by James Bustamante
Visiting Peru in April can be a great time of the year to take your vacation. Peru is situated south of the equatorial lines marking the beginning of the fall season. This transfers to amazing Andean weather, good weather in the coastal region, and enjoyable local celebrations.
Most people looking forward to the Machu Picchu hike can rest assured that April will give them a good chance of getting that perfect morning shot at sanctuary city. Let’s go over what to expect when you travel to Peru in April.
Peru April Weather
We can find Peru to the south of the equatorial line meaning that April marks the start of the Autumn season in the highlands. Therefore, during April, the weather can vary greatly depending on where in Peru you plan on traveling. There are a total of three regions with varying climates during this time of the year.
In April, the Coastal Region will have a primarily dry climate with a few showers here and there. The Peruvian desert coast ranges from Mancora in the north down to Trujillo, Lima, Paracas, and Arequipa to the far south of the country.
If you plan on staying in Lima, you’ll run into temperatures that range from 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celcius) to the low 60’s Fahrenheit (17 degrees Celcius). However, if you plan on traveling to the south, temperatures will slowly lower the further you go.
The Andean or Highlands region will have a dry and cooler climate for the most part. The highlabsds include Cusco, Parts of Arequipa, Huaraz, Lake Titicaca and Machu Picchu.
When travelers often think of Peru in April, they imagine being in Cusco and Machu Picchu. During this time, the Cusco region has cooler temperatures than in February and March. On most days, you’ll find temperatures ranging from 66 degrees Fahrenheit (19 Celcius) to as low as 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 Celcius) in the evenings. However, Cusco and Machu Picchu in April will both still be lush with greenery and hold impressive views in the cloud forest.
The Amazon Rainforest region will be warm, humid, and have some rainy days, as you might expect. April is the time of the year when it is a bit cooler versus later on the calendar, though. The Amazon region includes Iquitos, Manu, Tarapoto and Puerto Maldonado.
Iquitos is the most prominent Amazon city in Peru. It tends to receive quite a bit of tourists on their way to the nature reserves. Temperatures can range from 88 degrees Fahrenheit to the low 70’s (22 Celcius).
In April, you can expect heavy afternoon rains like thunderstorms in the Peruvian Amazon.
Is Peru Crowded in April?
Yes, Peru sees larger crowds in April. As the easter festivities approach, more visitors begin to arrive in Peru. If you plan on booking during April, you’ll see an increase in pricing for hotels due to the festive season. The weather is also good, bringing even more travelers to the country.
The larger crowds make availability begin to be an issue when trying to book accommodations, train tickets, Machu Picchu tickets, or any other service on your own. Remember that the best route to take if you want to be in Peru in April is to book at least 60 days in advance.
Doing so will ensure all services are readily available. This excess in crowd sizes is primarily true for the coastal region of Peru. Still, it also affects the highlands and the Amazon, albeit less.
The big exception during April is Holy Week which will take place during this time of the year for the next few years. Besides that, travel in the highlands won’t be much different than in March. April is a great time to visit places like the Sacred Calley since weather conditions are good, the landscape is very green, and crowds still are not at peak levels.
Hotels, flights to Cusco, and other services still have not included their seasonal increases in pricing either.
Where To Go In Peru in April?
The great thing about a place like Peru is that there are various places to visit thanks to the different landscapes and climates. For example, if you are looking for a lovely beach to relax with warm weather (and water) year-round, head to the north and visit Mancora.
You’ll find the famous Paracas National Nature reserve to the south of Lima. Paracas and the surrounding cities and towns are great for exploring. You can take a boat tour to the Ballestas Islands and photograph the local wildlife.
Another option is heading to Ica and the Huacachina lagoon, where you can even spend the night. Some other activities in the area include riding dune buggies and sandboarding on the massive desert dunes.
Machu Picchu in April is also a good destination. As I mentioned before, the highlands will have already gone through the rainy season. Therefore, most days will be sunny with little chance of precipitation.
The classic 4 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is also a popular activity in April. This multiday hike brings you into the Machu Picchu sanctuary via the “IntiPunku,” otherwise known as the sun gate. April can be a crowded time for this hike since it is the first dry month since the start of the wet season.
A second option for a Machu Picchu trail is to take the Salkantay trek. This alternative route is considered one of the most beautiful treks on the planet by various travel publications like national geographic. However, it is a less known trek simply because the classic Inca Trail is so famous in the first place.
Throughout the Salkantay trek, you’ll get to see glaciers, lakes, and mountain peaks right before making your way down to the cloud forests.
Lake Titicaca rests to the south of Peru, bordering Bolivia. Local history states that Lake Titicaca was the birthplace of the Incas, and there are ruins along the shores and beneath the water that point to this theory being correct. Lake Titicaca in April will have similar weather to the rest of the highlands. You can look forward to sunny skies, a dry climate, and cold evenings over the beautiful highland lake.
What to Do In Peru In April?
During April in Peru, you can plan multiday trekking tours and simple days hikes without having to worry about the weather in the Andes. Many visitors who come to Peru are usually very “outdoors” people who want to take a long hike across the Andes.
However, some travelers prefer going on day’s hikes like the tour of the Sacred Valley, The Rainbow Mountain, or a trip to Humantay Lake. All of these day hikes typically begin by 8:00 am and end back in your hotel in Cusco by 7:00 pm.
The Sacred Valley Of Th Inca and the ruins scattered in the surrounding towns like Sacsayhuaman, Ollantaytambo, or Pisac are great places to visit in April. These day tours tend to be very informational. The guide will go over the history of each set of ruins and will gladly take questions at the end.
The Sacred Valley is a beautiful place at this time of the year, so visit the restaurants overlooking the Urubamba river while you taste local delicacies. The local merchant markets are also an excellent place to visit while on tour and a perfect place to practice your haggling skills!
If you decide to visit Lima in April, we have some suggestions for activities. In April, Lima begins to get cooler temperatures, but don’t worry, it rarely really rains in this part of Peru. Of course, there are chances of drizzling, but that comes later in the year.
The Peruvian capital is a culturally rich city that many visitors initially think about skipping. This can be a huge mistake. Lima has beautiful architecture, a rich history, fascinating museums, and one of the most important culinary scenes in the world. You can find some of the top restaurants in the world in Lima, like Central or Maido.
Some of the local delicacies you can try while in Lima include: Aji de Gallina, Lomo Saltado (stir-fried beef), Ceviche (the national dish), and Seco (a green stew). There is also something called “Picarones,” these Peruvian donuts made from sweet potato, squash, and natural fruit syrup.
Suppose you want to try local Andean food and feel adventurous. In that case, you can try Cuy (Andean guinea pig…yes, really!), Alpaca steaks, or any of the over 4,000 types of potatoes that are grown in Peru.
Lima is also known for its festive nightlife, bars, dance clubs, and spectacular sunsets. Visit one of the bars and try the delicious Pisco Sour!
April Events In Peru
Peru has many celebrations and festivals throughout the year. Some are national celebrations, while others can be local to the region or even a particular city. April hosts a few celebrations that might interest visitors.
Some more known festivities include “Semana Santa,” otherwise known as the holy week. In Peru, the primary and most popular religion is catholicism. This means that most Peruvian will celebrate the week that leads up to Easter.
We call this “Semana Santa.” A whole plethora of celebrations and festivities take place in Lima and small towns in the various provinces. A vibrant place during the week leading up to Easter is Ayacucho. It hosts colorful parades and parties where visitors can quickly join in.
If you are in Lima in mid-April, you should visit the Paso Horse National Competition in Pachacamac, just 30 minutes to the city’s south. The competition brings horses from around the country to display skills, have horse shows and win prizes. Many of the Paso horses are trained to gallop in a way that resembles a local dance called “Marinera.”
Conclusion
Peru in April is kind of the perfect time to visit. Lima is still warm and sunny, while the highland destinations like Cusco and Machu Picchu are also getting into the bright, dry season. There are various festivities and activities alike for travelers to enjoy during their stay.
Remember that if you plan to travel to Peru in April, you will most likely need to book your trip at least 60 days ahead of arrival. This ensures availability for accommodations, land transportation, domestic flights, and spaces for tours.
If you have any questions about Peru during any time of the year or wish to talk to one of our expert travel advisors. Don’t hesitate to email or call us!
Cover Photo by Eduardo Garcia
