Peru Vacation Rentals

Here's Helpful Info on the Weather--Then Check Out Our Peru Vacation Rentals

What clothes to pack, or how's the weather?

Certainly, one of the most important questions a traveler has about any destination is weather. In some ways, that's even more true for those staying in vacation rentals. Since airlines are charging for bags now, and since you'll have access to a washer and a drier, you don't want to take any more clothes than you need.

Let's start with Lima: it rarely, if ever, rains. And even though it's just a bit south of the equator, the weather is remarkably temperate. It is humid, however, and the city is often shrouded in fog or covered in clouds. Temperatures in January range from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, while in July they're from 60 to 70 degrees. Lima's on the ocean and in a desert, so pack a light jacket and you should be fine as far as outerwear is concerned (which often takes up the most room in a suitcase).

As far as the rest of Peru is concerned, it all depends on where you're going. Peru has three climate zones. The tropical jungle to the east will be hot, you've just read about the arid coastal region (Lima), and finally there are the Andes and highlands that cut through the middle of the country, where weather patterns are impacted by elevation. The higher you are, the cooler it gets. Peru basically has two seasons: wet and dry. June through August are the driest months, while the wettest months are December through March, though keep in mind that on the arid coast, it doesn't rain all that much, while in the rainforest it ... well, rains. Think Florida--it rains for a few hours then everything clears off.

Peru is a long coastal country (though not as long as Chile), so keep in mind that the further south you go, the cooler it will get (you're moving away from the equator as you go south). If you're really into meteorology, then pay attention to El Nino, a weather pattern which happens every seven years or so. Without getting too technical, the rising temperature of the Pacific Ocean's surface can cause heavier rains and floods in coastal areas, while causing drier conditions in tropical areas. Look for a La Nina weather pattern immediately after an El Nino--a La Nina can actually make matters worse.