Cusco Peru, the former capital of the former Inca Empire, is one of the most important places in Peru and is also an important starting point for travelers for exploration tours, hikes, small and large adventures. Not least because of the proximity to Peru’s main attraction: Machu Picchu. Ubicated In the Southern Sierras, nestled in the fertile Andean highlands.
The charming colonial city have at an altitude of 3,416 meters is not only an absolute must-see, Cusco is also an ideal starting point for the numerous Inca cities in the near and far vicinity.
Cusco describes both the region and the city in Peru. So you can experience a lot in and around Cusco and easily spend several days there.
The Weather in Cusco Peru is relatively cool although it changes a lot, it can go from a radiant sun to a torrential rain, in just minutes.
In Cusco, the rainy season is overcast, the dry season is partly cloudy, and it is cool all year round.
“The Weather of the Andes is like the women of the Andes: changeable and unpredictable.”
– A popular Cusco saying
Although the mornings in Cusco are very sunny, so much that you need sun protection, the nights can be really frigid, especially in the months of June and July.
In general, the climate in Cusco region varies in 2 seasons per year; the dry season and the rainy season.
Average Weather in Cusco Peru
The “Rainy Season“ in Cusco Peru runs from November to March.
The intense rains are generally in the afternoon, Cusco is full of rainbows 2 or 3 at the same time, and the Inca city of Machu Picchu is dressed in its most intense green.
Although it is a Rainy Season in Cusco Peru, it is also summer in Cusco; So no matter how much it rains, the days are warm.
Don’t forget to pack waterproof clothes, an umbrella and shoes that allow you to walk safely on wet and slippery surfaces. Sun protection (cap, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
The “Dry Season” in Cusco Peru runs from April to October.
Although the mornings are warm with an average temperature between 17 and 19 ° C; the nights are very frigid, and it is not uncommon for temperatures to fall under zero in the months of June and July.
During these months there is the high season of tourism, this causes that Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets, hotels and guides in the city of Cusco, must be booked in advance.
The season force visitors to bring sunscreen (cap, sunscreen, glasses), repellent and a lot of water. The nights are frigid, so you better not forget your warm clothes.
Tailor Made Holidays Cusco Sacred Valley Machu Picchu
Temperature: maximum: 20 ° C / minimum: 9 ° C
In Cusco, the month with the highest Temperature in Cusco Peru is October (21.7 ° C); the lowest Temperature in Cusco Peru occurs in the month of July (-1.6 ° C); and it rains with greater intensity in the month of January (156.32 mm / month).
Average Temperature in Cusco Peru
The maximum daily temperatures are 19 ° C, the minimum temperature is 7 ° C.
In January, weather of Cusco is cloudy 50% of the days.
The Weather of Cusco in January presents constantly rainfall, remaining at approximately 103 millimeters, and rarely exceeds 182 millimeters.
The maximum daily temperatures are 19 ° C, the minimum temperature is 7 ° C.
In February, weather of Cusco Peru is cloudy 93% of the days.
The weather of Cusco Peru in the month of February presents average rainfall decreases, rarely exceeds 170 millimeters and is less than 32 millimeters.
The maximum daily temperatures are 19 ° C, the minimum daily temperatures are around 7 ° C.
In March, weather of Cusco Peru is cloudy from 93% to 88% of the days.
The weather of Cusco Peru in the month of March presents rainfall decreases rapidly, rarely exceeds 147 millimeters or is less than 13 millimeters.
The maximum daily temperatures are around 20 ° C, the minimum daily temperatures are 5 ° C.
The month of April, Cuzco remains cloudy from 88% to 71% of the days.
The average rainfall in April decreases rapidly, rarely exceeds 84 millimeters or falls to less than 11 millimeters.
The maximum daily temperatures are around 20 ° C, the minimum daily temperatures fall below 3 ° C.
In May, weather of Cusco is cloudy from 71% to 63% of the days.
The weather of Cusco in the month of May presents rainfall decreases gradually, rarely exceeding 22 millimeters.
The maximum daily temperatures are around 20 ° C, the minimum temperatures fall below 1 ° C.
In June, weather of Cusco Peru is cloudy from 62% to 50% of the days
The weather of Cusco Peru in June presents constantly rainfall, rarely exceeding 14 millimeters.
The maximum daily temperatures are around 20 ° C, the minimum temperature is around 0 ° C.
The month of July, Cuzco remains cloudy from 50% to 44% of the days.
The average rainfall in July is essentially constant, remaining at approximately 4 millimeters, and rarely exceeds 14 millimeters.
Maximum daily temperatures are around 20 ° C, minimum daily temperatures rarely fall below 2 ° C.
In August, weather of Cusco Peru is cloudy from 44% to 58% of the days.
The weather of Cusco Peru in August presents constantly rainfall, remaining at approximately 4 millimeters, and rarely exceeds 18 millimeters.
Maximum daily temperatures are around 21 ° C, minimum daily temperatures rarely fall below 4 ° C.
During the month of September, Cuzco remains cloudy from 58% to 79% of the days.
The average rainfall in September increases, rarely exceeds 48 millimeters or falls to less than 3 millimeters
The maximum daily temperatures are around 21 ° C, the minimum daily temperatures rarely fall below 6 ° C.
In October, weather of Cusco Peru is cloudy from 80% to 85% of the days.
The weather of Cusco Peru in the month of October shows increases rainfall, rarely exceeds 78 millimeters or is less than 3 millimeters.
Maximum daily temperatures are around 21 ° C, minimum daily temperatures rarely fall below 7 ° C.
In November, weather of Cusco Peru is cloudy from 85% to 91% of the days.
The weather of Cusco Peru in October presents increases rainfall, rarely exceeds 78 millimeters or is less than 11 millimeters.
The maximum temperatures are 20 ° C, the minimum daily temperatures rarely fall below 7 ° C.
The month of December, Cuzco remains cloudy 92% of the days.
The average rainfall during the month of December increases quickly, rarely exceeds 114 millimeters or is less than 26 millimeters.
Average Monthly Hours of Sunshine Over the Year
Average Monthly Precipitation Over the Yea
If you are planning an outdoor tourist activity in Cusco, the best time of year to visit Machu Picchu and Cusco is from late April to mid June and from early July to late September.
For hot-weather activities, the best time to visit Cusco is from late October to mid November.
So when’s the best time to visit Cusco? It depends. From May to October mornings are mostly sunshine and there are few rain, plus June is the most festival-packed month.
However, from June to August is the high tourism season and tourists are crowding in the attractions of the city more than any other time of the year. Rainy season is low season, so it won’t be as crowded and fees, especially for accommodation, tend to be lower.
Here are some average weather facts we collected from a historical climate data that you must have in account when visiting Cusco:
Although Cusco has between 30 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit during the night throughout the year, there are almost no heaters in accommodation or public places.
The Cusquenian solution for cold nights? Alpaca blankets. This handicrafts can be found in each bed of each home and shelter. These blankets are thick, patterned and highly effective.
Another option is to buy a “natural” heater. Some cusquenian people have large clay pots in which they put some alcohol and then light a fire. You can buy one of these clay pots at the Tupac Amaru Square, and alcohol can be bought at the San Pedro market.
Also, you will often see people sitting or standing outside their homes and businesses during the morning. That is his way of heating naturally with the sun’s rays.
Cusco was the capital of the Incas and Peru’s tourist hotspot. The place itself is worth seeing, not far from the center there is a large Inca construction and a great vantage point (Sacsayhuaman). Incidentally, Cusco has its own airport, and you can reach this high-lying place by flight 1 hr 20 min and bus in 22 hours from Lima- capital of Peru (plan enough time buffer for any altitude sickness that may occur!). Below you can find more information about Cusco Peru.
Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu
