Tips for Visiting Machu Picchu in the Rainy Season
Lets be honest, it's beautiful no matter the season.
When is the Rainy Season?
The rainy season in Peru is from October to April, with December-February usually being the worst months. Most reports will say the rain tappers off in March. We visited mid-March and it rained off and on, lightly, the entire time we were there.
Tickets
When purchasing tickets to see Machu Picchu you can either buy tickets for the morning or the afternoon; if you are traveling in the rainy season I highly recommend buying the afternoon session or tickets for the whole day (a morning and afternoon ticket). During the rainy season it rains often, and if you purchase tickets for the afternoon it gives enough time for inclement weather to move out of the area and the sky can begin to lift and fog can burn away before you arrive. On the day we visited we awoke to rain and it actually rained until midmorning. Once it stopped raining it took about an hour for the sky to lift and for most of the fog to burn off. By the time we got up to Machu Picchu there was fog hanging over the surrounding mountain peaks (which I loved) but we could still see everything in front of us! (Also- The maximum capacity for Machu Picchu is 2,500 people per day so once tickets have sold out - that’s it!)
See also: Everything You Need to Know About Buying Machu Picchu Tickets
Take Your Time
I personally think the best bet is to spend multiple nights in the Sacred Valley or in Aguas Calientes. However, when it comes to rainy season there are a few extra reasons why you should. Due to frequent landslides there’s a good chance you will be delayed if you take the train (which is what we did). Our train was delayed by TWO hours on the morning we arrived to Aguas Calientes! Multiple people around us on the train had bought tickets to and from Machu Picchu on the same day and were so stressed out because they were only going to have an hour or two at Machu Picchu before they had to be back to the train station. By spending extra time in the valley you can make sure you’ll get to Machu Picchu on time. My recommendation would be to take the train in the day before you plan to see Machu Picchu, spend an entire day exploring the area, then take the train out the next day (or spend even more time!).
Bring Rain Gear
I think this goes without saying if you’re visiting in the rainy season, but bring rain gear no matter what time of year you’re visiting. The day we were exploring Machu Picchu there was no rain in the forecast but we still brought all our rain gear because it rains all the time. I recommend bringing:
- Rain Jacket or poncho
- Comfortable, waterproof boots
- Moisture wicking clothing (it’s hot and humid during the rainy season)
- Protective gear for your camera
Wait If You Are Trekking
We personally did not do the trek into Machu Picchu after researching other’s experiences during the rainy season. During rainy season you can find trails obstructed from landslides, passes blocked by lingering snow and nonstop rain which is never fun. Additionally, the Inca Trail is closed for the entire month of February for restoration. If you are dying to do the trek in to Machu Picchu (I hope we get to one day!) then definitely wait until the dry season.
See more: Backpack the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Avoid January and February
Like I mentioned above, January and February are two of the worst months in terms of rainfall. For a lot of people, visiting Machu Picchu is a once in a life time experience so you really don’t want to be rained hard on the entire time. If you do visit in January of February I recommend buying tickets for two days in a row in case on day is totally rained out and you can’t see anything.
Some advantages for visiting in the rainy season:
Fewer people!
The day we visited Machu Picchu they were nowhere near capacity and while there definitely were a lot of people there, towards the end of the afternoon we had a lot of time to ourselves, and silence, while roaming the sacred grounds.
It’s Super Green
Because of all the rain the entire region is a lush, deep green and it is absolutely beautiful! Pair that with vibrant botanical flowers blooming and rushing rivers and the landscape is to die for.
It’s Warmer
The rainy season in Peru is technically the summer so the temperatures are warmer. However, this also means that it is more humid.
It’s Cheaper and Easier to Buy Tickets
We purchased our tickets for the train, Machu Picchu and our beautiful hotel only a month before we departed. I doubt we would have been able to do this during the dry season because tickets sell out so fast! Additionally our train tickets and flights were cheaper than in the dry season months.
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
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