How to dress in Peru? Here’s what to pack in your backpack before you leave

Everything you need to know (and then some) about what clothes to pack for Peru

Are you ready to head off to Peru, the most colorful country in the world?

An absolutely incredible place, but one you’ll enjoy to the fullest only if you really know how to dress so you don’t end up soaked, freezing, or drenched in sweat.

If you’re fine with all that, fair enough—we’re not here to judge. But if you want to experience Peru at its best, here’s what you need to know about what to wear once you get there.

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The ideal clothing for Peru: it all comes down to the climate

Houston, we have a problem: we can’t give you one single answer because in Peru, the weather can vary considerably depending on the area you’re planning to visit.

For example, are you heading out for an intense trekking adventure in the Andes? Up there, Mother Nature seems to love playing “guess what temperature you’re getting today.” In short, in the mountains you can run into huge temperature swings—worse than taking a blazing-hot shower in winter while your roommate suddenly decides it’s the perfect moment to crank up the hot water because those two breakfast mugs absolutely have to be washed right now. And maybe also because they’re kind of a jerk.

If, on the other hand, you decide to explore the coast and desert areas between the sea and the Andes, things change quite a bit. There’s always loads of sunshine and warmth here, with a mild, dry climate pretty much all year round. One thing to keep in mind, though: dry climate simply means you can forget about rain, but humidity in these areas can still be sky-high.

Lastly, if you decide to venture into the Amazon rainforest, which covers the northeastern part of the country, well, you’ll find plenty of heat and humidity there too. The main difference compared with the coastal area is the rain: here in the green lungs of the Earth, it takes no time at all to go from “What a beautiful sun shining through the branches” to “Wow, rain is getting absolutely everywhere.”

Want to explore the Andes? Think layers

Now that we’ve had a look at the kind of weather waiting for you in Peru, we can focus on the ideal clothing for each area.

In the Andes, layered clothing is your best friend: ideally, you should start with a technical T-shirt—you know the kind? The ones that, if you’ve neglected your fitness for a while, make you look like a superhero in spandex after 12 cans of beer. Still, they’re way too useful in the mountains to say no to.

Then add a light fleece, and on top of that, to complete the onion effect, a solid windproof jacket that’ll get you ready for the Andean climate.

And trousers?

The best option is zip-off pants that can go from full-length to shorts in a second on those days when the sun is really beating down.

Finally, if you want to go trekking without cursing every blister on your feet, it’s essential to choose the right shoes: sturdy, comfortable, waterproof, and with good grip, so you don’t end up landing on the rocks.

Coast and rainforest: light clothing, but watch out for downpours!

On the coast it’s easy—there’s not much to say: light clothes, maybe a T-shirt, cotton trousers or shorts, and comfortable shoes, and you’re ready to handle the heat in these areas. Of course, if you decide to visit the wildest desert regions, make sure you also bring a hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the intense sun.

And deep in the Amazon rainforest?

Well, for the most part you can follow the same advice we gave you for the coastal area, perhaps favoring sturdy shorts suitable for jungle exploration. And pay even closer attention to your footwear, choosing proper hiking models.

But the single most important thing is a rain jacket: absolutely essential for those sneaky tropical downpours that show up when you least expect them.

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In conclusion

Now that you know what to put in your backpack before setting off to discover Peru, you’ve got no more excuses not to visit this spectacular country.

We certainly don’t need any excuses to enjoy it year after year on our wildest road trips ever. If you take a look at the itinerary, you’ll get a taste of all the amazing places we go: from Cusco to Lima, including Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, and loads of other incredible spots!

Finished stuffing everything into your backpack? Come on, we’re ready for the next departure: book your spot and let’s go to Peru!

Awesome!