Peru in March: what to expect

March is the tail of the Andean rainy season. In Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Puno, expect rain most afternoons, often heavy for an hour or two, with sunny mornings in between. Daytime temperatures sit around 15–19 °C and nights drop to 4–7 °C, colder at Puno's altitude. Machu Picchu is lower and more humid than Cusco, so it is warmer but wetter.

The central coast is a different country. Lima, Paracas and Nazca get almost no rain, and March is the last full month of Lima's sunny summer, roughly 19–27 °C. Arequipa and Colca are mostly sunny with only short showers, and the Amazon is hot, humid and wet, with high river levels that suit boat trips around Iquitos but make jungle trails muddier.

March is one of the quietest months in the Andes. Hotels in Cusco and the Sacred Valley are cheap and easy to book, Machu Picchu entry slots are usually available a few weeks out, and flights and tours cost less than in the June–August peak. On the coast, Lima is busier with domestic summer holidaymakers, especially on weekends.

The exception is Holy Week, which can fall in late March or April. When it does, Cusco and Ayacucho fill with domestic travellers for the Thursday and Friday processions, and transport and rooms tighten for a few days. Check the dates for your year before booking.

Carnival can spill into early March in some Andean towns, with water fights and parades; dates move each year, so check locally. Holy Week is the big one if it falls in March: processions in Cusco and Ayacucho, and a domestic travel peak around Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Elsewhere, March is a normal working month. Lima's summer beach season winds down, and the Andean festival calendar is quiet until May.

Play to the weather. The central coast is at its best: Lima for food and museums, Paracas and the Ballestas, and Nazca lines. Arequipa and Colca Canyon are mostly dry and comfortable for hiking. The Amazon around Iquitos works well because high rivers open up boat routes to flooded forest, even though it rains most days.

In the Andes, go with a flexible plan. Cusco and the Sacred Valley are green and quiet, and Machu Picchu is open, but build in a buffer day for transport delays. Puno and Lake Titicaca are cold and wet; Huaraz and the Cordillera Blanca are for experienced, well-equipped trekkers only this month. If a classic Inca Trail trek is your priority, April and May are safer bets.

Pack for two climates and a lot of rain. In the Andes you need a waterproof shell, quick-dry trousers, sturdy broken-in boots, layers for cold nights and a dry bag for electronics. A poncho bought locally works well and costs little. Sunscreen and a hat matter even on cloudy days at altitude.

For Lima and the coast, add light summer clothes and swimwear. For the Amazon, light long sleeves, insect repellent, a head net and a rain jacket. Bring cash in small soles for markets and taxis, and a refillable bottle.

February is the wettest month and the Inca Trail is closed, so March is already an improvement. April brings the shoulder season: greener valleys, less rain and Easter crowds in Cusco and Ayacucho. May starts the dry season, with good trekking and Machu Picchu tickets still bookable a few weeks ahead.