Peru at a glance:

• Peru's capital is Lima, home to approximately 10 million inhabitants. The country covers an area of 1,285,216 km²
• Its population consists of around 32 million inhabitants (2016 estimate).
• The official language is Spanish (castellano), though Quechua, Aymara, and 12 other Amazonian languages are also spoken.
• The currency is the Peruvian nuevo sol.

Geography and Weather: Peru is composed of three main regions: the desert coast, the Andes, and the Selva—three zones with distinctly different meteorological conditions.

Keep in mind that seasons here are reversed; summer corresponds to winter in Europe and vice versa.

- Coastal weather: December and February are the warmest months as they correspond to summer (25-30 °C), making this the ideal time for swimming, particularly in Peru's north toward Tumbes or Piura (in beach resorts like Punta Sal and Zorritos). Note that except in the northern region, the waters are quite cold due to the Humboldt Current. From June to August, temperatures drop (15-20 °C), and fog settles over the Lima region from May through mid-September (the sun is barely visible).

- Andean weather : From December to March is the rainy season, making it less ideal for visiting Peru. From June to October, the rains end and give way to the dry season. Days are sunny and pleasantly warm, though nights can be quite cool (layering is advisable). Exceptionally, Puno and its region may experience severe cold snaps. The "little summer" period spans late October through roughly the first two weeks of November—less hot but still pleasant for exploring the Andes, and far less touristy!

Amazonian weather : Like the Andes, December to April marks the rainy season, while the "dry" season runs from June through August—though the Amazon has no season without rain. Worth noting: from July to September, beautiful white-sand beaches form along the Amazon River, and this is also prime fishing season. The Amazon can be visited year-round, but we recommend avoiding the heavy rains from December to April.