The 7 cities with the best climate in Peru

Peru is a country with great geographical diversity. The classic division includes three regions: the coast, the mountains or the jungle. The Peruvian doctor Jaime Pulgar Vidal divided the territory into eight regions: the coast, Yunga, Quechua, Suni, puna, janca or mountain range, rupa-rupa or high jungle and low jungle or Amazon region. In each of these regions there are different climates. And in each one there are cities that are worth knowing. Get to know the 7 cities with the best climate in Peru!

Huánuco, the city with the best climate in the world

Huánuco is the capital of the province and department of the same name. It is located in the center of Peru, on the eastern side of the Andes Mountains, at an altitude of 1,894 meters above sea level. It is popularly known as ‘the city with the best climate in the world’ for its ever-present and bright sun, its blue sky and its pleasant temperature throughout the year.

The temperature in the city of Huánuco varies from a minimum of 8ºC. up to a maximum of 27ºC. The average temperature in the year is 14ºC. during the day. The city is surrounded by high mountains, snow-capped peaks, and crossed by the Huallaga River. Huánuco has a population of 235,529 people.

• Maximum temperature: 27ºC. (in January, February and March).
• Minimum temperature: 8ºC. (in June, July and August).
• Average temperature: 14ºC. (during the day).

Trujillo, the city of eternal spring

Trujillo is the capital of the province of the same name in the department of La Libertad on the north coast of Peru. It is located on the right side of the Moche River. It is the third most inhabited city in Peru with 1,148,668 (only after Lima and Arequipa). It has a temperate, mild coastal climate with little rainfall throughout the year.

In Trujillo the average temperature during the day is 19ºC. That is why it is popularly called ‘The city of eternal spring’. The maximum temperature can reach 33ºC. (in January, February and March) while the minimum temperature can drop to 14ºC. (in June, July and August). However, when the El Niño phenomenon occurs, there are risks of heavy rains and higher temperatures.

• Maximum temperature: 33ºC. (in January, February or March).
• Minimum temperature: 14ºC. (in June, July and August).
• Average temperature: 19ºC. (during the day).

Arequipa, the white city

Arequipa is the capital of the province and department of the same name . It is located in southern Peru, on the western side of the Andes Mountains, at an altitude of 2,335 meters above sea level. It is the second most populated city in Peru, after Lima. It is known as the ‘white city’ for its historic mansions and temples made of ashlar, a white volcanic stone.

Arequipa has a temperate arid climate with an average temperature of 15ºC. The rains are not frequent (75 to 100 mm per year). It is recognized as the ‘city of the eternal blue sky’ because the sun is present approximately 300 days a year. The maximum temperature reaches 25ºC. while the minimum temperature can drop to 6ºC.

• Maximum temperature: 25ºC. (in January, February and March).
• Minimum temperature: 6ºC. (in June, July and August).
• Average temperature: 15ºC. (during the day).

Chiclayo, the capital of friendship

Chiclayo is the capital of the Chiclayo province in the Lambayeque department. It is located on the north coast of Peru, in a tropical area near Ecuador. It is the fourth most populous city in the country, with 524,442 inhabitants. It is known as ‘the capital of friendship’ due to the friendly character of its inhabitants. It is also known as the ‘capital of culture and tourism in Peru’.

Chiclayo has an arid, hot and temperate subtropical climate most of the year. It is estimated that there are up to 258 sunny days a year. The highest temperatures are recorded from January to April (maximums of 31ºC.) while the coolest temperatures are recorded from June to November (minimums of 12ºC.). The average temperature during the day is 20ºC. The rains are scarce.

• Maximum temperature: 31ºC. (from January to April).
• Minimum temperature: 12ºC. (June to November).
• Average temperature: 20ºC. (during the day).

Cusco, archaeological capital of America

Cusco is the capital of the province and department of the same name. It is located in the southern highlands of Peru, in the upper eastern part of the Andes Mountains, at an altitude of 3,399 meters above sea level. It was the capital of the Inca empire, which is why it is considered the ‘historical capital’ of the country. It is the seventh most populous in Peru, with around 437,538 inhabitants.

The climate in Cusco is cold temperate with an average temperature of 15ºC. during the day and an average temperature of 5ºC. at night. From November to March the rains are more constant. From April to October, they are scarce. The minimum temperatures occur in June, July and August (up to 0ºC.). The maximum temperatures can reach 23ºC.

• Maximum temperature: 23ºC. (January, February and March).
• Minimum temperature: 0ºC. (June, July and August).
• Average temperature: 15ºC. (during the day) and 5ºC. (at night).

Huaraz, the Peruvian Switzerland

Huaraz is the capital of the province of the same name and also of the department of Áncash in the central highlands of Peru. It is located at an altitude of 3,052 meters above sea level. in the so-called Callejón de Huaylas, where the Cordillera Blanca stands out. It is known as the ‘Peruvian Switzerland’ for being surrounded by high snow-capped peaks and for the quiet of its streets and squares.

Huaraz has a dry and hot temperate climate during the day and cold at night. Like the Andean cities, it has two annual seasons. The dry season from April to October offers little rain and the lowest temperatures of up to 2ºC. The rainy season occurs from November to March and offers frequent rains and maximum temperatures of up to 24ºC.

• Maximum temperature: 24ºC. (from January to March).
• Minimum temperature: 2ºC. (from June to August).
• Average temperature: 16ºC. (during the day) and 5ºC. (at night).

Lima, city of kings

Lima is the capital of Peru. It is located on the central coast of the country, on the shores of the Pacific Ocean and limited by the Andean foothills of the Cordillera. It is estimated that it has 13,943,800 inhabitants. It is known as the ‘City of Kings’ for its colonial history. Also because its foundation (on January 18) coincides with the ‘Descent of Kings’. Therefore, Francisco Pizarro founded it, calling it the ‘city of kings’.

Lima has a varied, humid, cloudy climate that could be defined as warm (neither too cold nor too hot). From January to March the highest temperatures occur with maximums of up to 30ºC. From June to August the lowest temperatures are recorded with minimums of 10ºC. Instead of rain, there are drizzles with an average annual rainfall of 6.4 mm. The average annual temperature is 19ºC.

• Maximum temperature: 30ºC. (from January to March).
• Minimum temperature: 10ºC. (from June to August).
• Average temperature: 19ºC. (during the day).

By Machupicchu Terra – Last updated, August 28, 2023