When to visit Arequipa without the crowds
Arequipa (Peru) is calmest in January, February, March, June, September, October and November: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in July and August. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with January, February and March: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
Apr–May & Sep–Nov
When everyone heads home
September, when the Colca high season ends.
Tip
At Colca Canyon the condors fly best from 8 to 10 a.m.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 21 °C (69 °F) | New Year's Day |
| February | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 20 °C (69 °F) | |
| March | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 21 °C (69 °F) | Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday |
| April | 3/5 · moderate | 22 °C (72 °F) | |
| May | 3/5 · moderate | 24 °C (74 °F) | Labour Day |
| June | 2/5 · calm | 23 °C (74 °F) | Saint Peter and Saint Paul |
| July | 4/5 · busy | 24 °C (74 °F) | Air Force Day, Independence Day |
| August | 5/5 · busy | 24 °C (75 °F) | Arequipa Anniversary (Aug 15), Battle of Junin, Santa Rosa de Lima |
| September | 2/5 · calm | 25 °C (76 °F) | |
| October | 2/5 · calm | 25 °C (76 °F) | Battle of Angamos |
| November | 2/5 · calm | 24 °C (75 °F) | All Saints Day |
| December | 3/5 · moderate | 23 °C (73 °F) | Immaculate Conception, Battle of Ayacucho, Christmas Day |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- Rain in the Colca Canyon (Jan–Mar): some roads get tricky.
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Arequipa without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually February (crowds 1/5). In February the average high is 20 °C (69 °F). All the calm months: January, February, March, June, September, October and November.
When is Arequipa most crowded?
The busiest season is July and August. September, when the Colca high season ends.
What is the weather like in Arequipa?
Average highs range from 20 °C (69 °F) in February to 25 °C (76 °F) in September, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What should I know before going to Arequipa?
Rain in the Colca Canyon (Jan–Mar): some roads get tricky.
What festivals are there in Arequipa?
The main ones: Arequipa Anniversary (Aug 15) (August).
More places in Peru
- Cusco calm in January, February and April; busiest in June, July and August
- Lima calm in February, May, June, September, October and November; busiest in July and December
- Puno calm in January, March, April, May, June, September, October and December; busiest in July and August
- Iquitos calm in January, February, March, April, May, October and November; busiest in July, August and December
- Paracas calm in May, June, September, October and November; busiest in January and July
- Huaraz calm in January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Máncora calm in May, June, September, October and November; busiest in January, February and July
- Trujillo calm in April, May, June, August, October and November; busiest in January
- Nazca calm in January, February, March, April, May and June; busiest in July and August
- Puerto Maldonado calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August