Lima features a mild, subtropical desert climate with two main seasons: a warm, sunny summer from December to April and a cool, overcast winter from June to September. Rainfall is extremely rare, but humidity is high year-round. The city’s weather is shaped by the Humboldt Current, resulting in unique foggy winters and pleasant, sunny summers.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Lima’s climate is defined by its coastal desert location and the influence of the cold Humboldt Current, which moderates temperatures and creates distinct seasonal contrasts. Summers (December–April) are warm, humid, and mostly sunny, with average highs of 25–29°C and lows of 18–21°C. Sunshine is frequent, especially in the afternoons, though morning fog or low clouds can occur. Rain is almost nonexistent, though occasional light drizzle may appear. The Pacific Ocean is warmest from January to March, making this the best time for swimming and beach activities. During El Niño years, temperatures and sea warmth can rise significantly, sometimes reaching 33°C.
Winters (June–September) are cool, damp, and cloudy, with average highs of 16–20°C and lows of 13–16°C. The season is characterised by persistent coastal fog known as "garúa," which brings high humidity (often above 90%) and drizzly conditions without significant rainfall. Sunshine is scarce, with as little as 1 hour per day, making Lima one of the cloudiest cities in the world during this period. Despite the mild temperatures, the humidity can make the air feel colder, especially indoors where heating is rare. Autumn (May) and spring (October–November) are transitional, with gradually changing temperatures and humidity, and occasional sunny days. Winds are generally moderate (10–15 km/h), and the city enjoys about 1,200–1,300 hours of sunshine annually, concentrated in the summer months.
| Average climate data for Lima, Peru | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 25 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 15 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 18 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 4 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 22 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 77 | 77 | 76 | 77 | 79 | 78 | 76 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 78 | 77 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 10 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 36 | 34 | 29 | 23 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 30 | 21 |
| Average UV index | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
The best time to visit Lima is from December to April, when the city enjoys its summer with warm temperatures (25–29°C), clear skies, and abundant sunshine. These months are ideal for beach activities, outdoor dining, and exploring the city’s vibrant neighbourhoods and coastline, with minimal rainfall and the liveliest atmosphere.
The least favourable time to visit is from June to September, when Lima is at its grayest and dampest. Persistent fog, high humidity, and cool temperatures (13–20°C) can make the city feel chilly and dreary, with very little sunshine. While not unpleasant, this period is less ideal for sun-seekers and beachgoers.
Lima has a mild, subtropical desert climate with warm, sunny summers (Dec–Apr) and cool, cloudy winters (Jun–Sep). Rain is extremely rare, but humidity is high all year, especially in winter.
Summer temperatures in Lima typically reach 25–29°C, with occasional peaks above 30°C. Nights are mild, and the city enjoys frequent sunshine, especially in the afternoons.
Rainfall in Lima is extremely rare, with only light drizzle or mist (garúa) during winter. The city receives less than 20 mm of precipitation annually, making it one of the driest capitals in the world.
Lima is cloudiest from June to September, when persistent fog and low clouds cover the city. Sunshine is scarce, with as little as 1 hour per day, and humidity is very high.
Pack light, breathable clothes and sun protection for summer. In winter, bring a jumper or light jacket, long sleeves, and waterproof shoes. A windproof jacket and quick-drying clothes are useful year-round.
The best beach weather is from January to March, when the Pacific is warmest and skies are clear. Winter months are too cool and cloudy for swimming, though coastal walks are still enjoyable.
Lima rarely experiences extreme weather, but El Niño events can bring unusually high temperatures and occasional rain. Otherwise, the city’s weather is stable, with mild temperatures and high humidity.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is February (25.4 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is August (20 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 22.6 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is February (21.3 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is August (14.9 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 17.8 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is March (21 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is September (15.8 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 18.5 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is February (3.9 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is May (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 17.9 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is March (5.6 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is November (0.2 days). Over the whole year there are 22.4 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is May (78.8 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is August (75.1 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 76.9 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is September (13 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is February (10.5 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 12.1 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is January (35.8 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (7.8 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 20.8 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is December (Average daylight: 12.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is June (Average daylight: 11 h). Over the whole year there are 11.6 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is October (Average sunshine: 12 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 7 h). Over the whole year there are 9.2 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are January, February, March, April, November and December (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are May, June, July, August, September and October (UV index: 5). Over the whole year the average UV index is 5.5.
