Huancayo sits at 3,270 metres and has a classic highland climate: dry and cool in the Andean winter (May to September), wet in the summer (October to April). The dry season is the better time to visit — days are sunny, nights are cold, and the mountain views are clear. The rainy season brings daily afternoon downpours and muddy roads but makes the valley impossibly green.
The most spectacular time to visit is Carnival in February, when the city erupts with huaylarsh competitions, street parades, and water fights. It is chaotic and completely worth it if you can handle the crowds and the mud. The Feast of the Lord of Muruhuay in May is another important festival, drawing pilgrims from across the region to the sanctuary above Tarma, east of the city. September brings the regional festival season, when dances and processions from the different valley communities fill the plaza.
At altitude, the sun is fierce even when the air is cold. Sunscreen is essential year-round. Bring warm layers for evenings regardless of when you visit — the temperature drops sharply after dark.