UV Index in Santa Elena, Peru

Last updated: June 2, 2025

Understanding the UV Index in Santa Elena, Peru is crucial for ensuring your skin's health and preventing sunburn. With its tropical climate and high UV exposure throughout the day, knowing the UV levels helps residents and visitors alike to take appropriate precautions. For instance, during peak hours, UV Index values can soar to 11, indicating an extreme risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. By staying informed about these levels, individuals can enjoy the beautiful sunny days while safeguarding their skin against potential damage.

Hourly UV Index in Santa Elena

The UV Index rises sharply throughout the morning, starting from a modest 1 at 07:00 and making a steady climb to reach its peak of 11 at both 11:00 and 12:00. During this prime time, sun protection is essential to safeguard against harmful rays. As the afternoon progresses, the index begins to decline, dropping to 10 at 13:00 and then tapering off to 4 by 15:00. By late afternoon, the UV Index diminishes significantly, falling to 1 by 17:00 and ultimately reaching 0 at 18:00 and 19:00. This trend emphasizes the importance of planning outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon to enjoy the sun safely!

Average solar exposure data for the current time of the year. Actual values may vary and depend on many factors, such as cloud cover, vegetation cover, surface type, etc.
Time	UVI	Category	Time to Burn
07:00	1	low	45 min
08:00	3	moderate	30 min
09:00	5	moderate	30 min
10:00	8	very high	15 min
11:00	11	extreme	10 min
12:00	11	extreme	10 min
13:00	10	very high	15 min
14:00	7	high	25 min
15:00	4	moderate	30 min
16:00	2	low	45 min
17:00	1	low	45 min
18:00	0	low	45 min
19:00	0	low	45 min

Monthly UV Index Trends in Santa Elena

Throughout the year, UV Index levels consistently remain extreme, highlighting a significant risk of skin damage from sun exposure. The highest levels occur from January to April, when the UV Index peaks at 16, maintaining a burn time of just 10 minutes. Following this, May to August see a slight decrease, with UV Index values ranging from 11 to 13, still necessitating caution. As summer wanes, September to December experience levels between 13 and 15, keeping the burn time steady at 10 minutes. Visitors and residents should take necessary precautions year-round, especially during the high-risk months of January to April, by using broad-spectrum sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade whenever possible to avoid harmful UV exposure.

Monthly Maximum UV Index for Santa Elena, Peru

The monthly maximum UV Index (UVI) represents the highest UV radiation level recorded each month in Santa Elena. It measures the strength of ultraviolet radiation from the sun and helps assess the risk of sunburn and UV-related health issues.

Data source: Statistical UV Index data for Santa Elena, based on information from the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

UV Risk Categories

Extreme (11+): Avoid the sun, stay in shade.
Very High (8-10): Limit sun exposure.
High (6-7): Use SPF 30+ and protective clothing.
Moderate (3-5): Midday shade recommended.
Low (0-2): No protection needed.

Compare Santa Elena UV Index with Other Peru Cities

The table above highlights how UV exposure in Santa Elena compares to other major locations across Peru. This comparison helps travelers and residents better understand regional sun intensity and plan outdoor activities with sun safety in mind.

Santa Elena's solar exposure compared to other cities in Peru. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information.
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Callao UVI	14	14	14	12	10	9	10	11	12	13	14	13
Lima UVI	14	14	14	12	10	9	10	11	12	13	14	13
Trujillo UVI	15	15	15	14	12	11	11	11	13	14	14	14
Chiclayo UVI	14	15	15	14	13	11	11	12	15	14	14	13
Santa Elena	15	16	16	16	13	11	11	13	14	15	14	13
Arequipa UVI	18	17	17	15	12	10	11	13	15	17	18	17