Peru in April: what to expect

April is the hinge between Peru's wet and dry seasons. In the southern Andes — Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Puno — the heavy afternoon rains of December to March taper off, leaving green hillsides, sunny mornings and a shrinking chance of a wet afternoon. Days are mild, nights are cold, and Machu Picchu sits lower and more humid than Cusco, so it can be misty at dawn and clear by mid-morning.

The central coast is still in its sunny summer window. Lima, Paracas and Nazca see warm, almost rain-free days before the grey garúa mist settles in from June. Arequipa and Colca Canyon are sunny nearly year-round, with only short summer rains early in the year. The Amazon stays hot and humid, and rivers around Iquitos are still high — good for boat access to flooded forest, though trails at Puerto Maldonado and Manu are muddier than in the June–September dry season.

Figures below are 2026 estimates for planning, not forecasts (check). Check SENAMHI, Peru's national meteorological service, before you fly, and expect big swings between day and night at altitude.

April sits in the shoulder season: medium crowds and medium prices. Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and Cusco draw steady numbers without the peak-season crush, and hotel rates are moderate. The exception is Holy Week, which can fall in late March or April (check the year's dates). Processions fill Cusco and Ayacucho, Peruvians travel domestically, and Cusco hotels, trains to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu entry slots tighten fast.

If your dates overlap Holy Week, book accommodation and Machu Picchu tickets as early as you can, and expect higher fares on the Cusco–Ollantaytambo–Aguas Calientes route. Outside that week, you can often arrange things a few weeks out. Lima and Arequipa stay relaxed in April; the Amazon is quiet, since most visitors come in the drier months.

April's calendar is dominated by Easter. Holy Week brings processions and vigils, most famously in Cusco and Ayacucho, where streets fill with candles, music and images carried through the centre. Dates move each year — check whether Holy Week falls in March or April before you plan around it.

Elsewhere, April is a quiet month for fixed festivals. Local patron-saint days and market fairs appear in the Andes without much advance notice, and Lima's cultural calendar keeps running with museum exhibitions and concerts. Confirm any specific event with a local tourism office, since dates shift.

The Andes are the main draw. Use Cusco as a base, sleep low in the Sacred Valley first to acclimatise, then visit Machu Picchu. April's mix of green scenery and mostly dry days suits the Inca Trail and alternative treks, and permits are easier than in June to August. Puno and Lake Titicaca are cold at night but clear by day.

On the coast, Lima is warm and sunny, good for city days and ceviche, with Paracas and Nazca as easy add-ons. Arequipa and Colca Canyon are at their reliable best. In the Amazon, high water around Iquitos opens boat routes into flooded forest; Puerto Maldonado is wetter but still workable. If you have 12 days or more, combine the Andes with Lake Titicaca or Arequipa, and fly the long legs.

Pack for two climates and a wide daily temperature range. In the Andes you need layers: a warm mid-layer and a windproof shell for cold mornings and evenings, plus sun protection for strong high-altitude sun. Rain gear is still worth carrying early in the month. For Lima and the coast, light clothing and a light jacket for evenings. For the Amazon, quick-dry long sleeves, insect repellent and a rain shell.

Altitude matters more than gear. Give yourself a slow first day in Cusco, drink water, and keep the first night low in the Sacred Valley if you can.

March is wetter and quieter, with rains easing late in the month and Holy Week sometimes falling there. May opens the dry season: excellent trekking, still-reasonable prices and Machu Picchu tickets often available a few weeks out. June brings high season, Inti Raymi and much higher prices.